Orkin to launch ‘Discovery Zone’ in Atlanta museum

Orkin recently announced that it will launch the ‘Orkin Discovery Zone’ at the Fernbank Museum in Atlanta, Ga., on May 2, 2026. The ‘Orkin Discovery Zone’ is a hands-on experience that features inquiry-based activities, authentic objects, live animal terrariums and artwork to inspire guests to explore the natural world and its multi-faceted disciplines.

The Orkin Discovery Zone marks the next phase of a $27 million transformation to upgrade the guest experience at the museum and redefine how audiences engage with the museum now and in the future.

“We want to use this space to make science, nature and human culture — the pillars of our museum — as accessible and hands-on as possible for all ages,” said Sarah Arnold, director of education, in a news release. “We are inviting guests to actively participate in science and take that experience with them into the world.” Armed with natural curiosity, guests become scientists as they investigate topics such as biodiversity, classification, biomimicry, senses and communication and the intersections between humans and nature through a series of interactive experiences.

Gallery activities

Investigating biodiversity and classifying organisms are two ways scientists can interpret the natural world. Guests will identify insect anatomy and distinguish between bugs and insects.

Guests can build their own bug using spinning discs to combine the head, thorax and abdomen from different species. There is a live animal habitat featuring a Madagascar hissing cockroach to show that no matter the shape, all insects have the same anatomical features. A live frog terrarium reveals the characteristics of a frog by exploring their common anatomical traits. To further connect classification across the natural world, scopes looking out into WildWoods invite guests to identify deciduous and evergreen trees by examining their leaves and bark.

“We are proud to support Fernbank’s vision for creating experiences that make science and nature come alive,” said Kathleen Rollins, executive director of The Gary W. Rollins Foundation. “Education is important to the work we do, and we are honored to be a part of the Orkin Discovery Zone.”

“At Orkin, our expertise goes beyond pest control, and we’re committed to sharing what we know about insects and their roles in our world,” said Pat Chrzanowski, president of Orkin USA. “By making science interactive and accessible, the Orkin Discovery Zone has the potential to ignite lifelong curiosity, helping to inspire the next generation of entomologists.”