Cosmos in the Stacks: Zoology, California Mammals

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Mammals

Zoology QL 700 - 739.8

Mammals of California

Library Third Floor

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Guess Who

Library Hall of Simulation, Library Second Floor

In Spring 2026, the Cal Poly Humboldt Library collaborated with a team of Engineering 205 students to create an interactive educational game introducing visitors to wildlife commonly encountered on the trails and in natural areas throughout Humboldt County.

The hands-on display challenges visitors to match animal scat with the correct tracks, turning wildlife identification into an engaging game. Mounted on a custom wooden backdrop, the exhibit features 3D-printed replicas of scat and tracks modeled from actual specimens, giving visitors an opportunity to explore identifying characteristics up close. When a visitor makes the correct match, a directional speaker activates and plays the sound of that animal, adding another sensory element to the experience.

Beyond being a fun and interactive challenge, the display helps build practical knowledge for exploring Humboldt’s forests, parks, and trails. Learning to recognize animal tracks, scat, and sounds can help students become more aware of the wildlife around them and make safer, more informed decisions while recreating outdoors.

Combining engineering, 3D printing, electronics, wildlife education, and interactive design, the project demonstrates how student creativity can transform important local knowledge into an approachable hands-on learning experience. 

It also celebrates Humboldt County’s remarkable wildlife and encourages visitors to pay closer attention to the signs animals leave behind.