‘VeggieTales’ co-creator’s latest project ‘Dead Sea Squirrels’ helps Museum of the Bible engage kids with interactive journey through new exhibit

'VeggieTales' co-creator's latest project 'Dead Sea Squirrels' helps Museum of the Bible engage kids with interactive journey through new exhibit

Scavenger hunt developed by Lipscomb animation professor helps kids discover the Dead Sea Scrolls in an exhibit opening Nov. 22 in Washington, D.C.

Kim Chaudoin | 11/15/2025

When Washington, D.C.'s Museum of the Bible opens its new Dead Sea Scrolls: The Exhibition on Nov. 22, visitors will experience one of the most significant archaeological discoveries in history through ancient manuscripts, artifacts … and a pair of animated squirrels.

VeggieTales co-creator Mike Nawrocki, film faculty member in Lipscomb University's George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts (CEA), has partnered with the museum to create an interactive scavenger hunt featuring his characters Merle and Pearl from The Dead Sea Squirrels. The Dead Sea Squirrels is an animated series he produced in association with Imagine House, a professional content production company housed in Lipscomb's CEA.

Through 10 interactive kiosks positioned throughout the museum, young visitors will use motion-based gaming to search for fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls alongside Merle and Pearl. Each stop reveals clues that guide participants toward assembling a complete Bible verse - a creative blend of ancient discovery and modern storytelling, explains Nawrocki, who serves as director, showrunner and voice actor for the animated series.

"This has been such a fun project to develop," said Nawrocki. "The museum wanted a way to engage families and help kids understand the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls. So we designed a game that lets them explore caves, uncover fragments and learn the scriptural importance of what they're seeing - all while having fun with Merle and Pearl."

Developed in partnership with Hobby Lobby and its creative team in Oklahoma, the game uses interactive motion technology to simulate spelunking through caves with a flashlight and staff to discover hidden scroll fragments. Once players collect enough fragments, they "return" to a virtual research tent to piece together a verse found among the actual scrolls with help and humor from the show's beloved squirrel duo.

The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition, created in partnership with the Israel Antiquities Authority and Running Subway, will remain on display through Sept. 7, 2026. The exhibit includes ancient scrolls, hundreds of artifacts from the Qumran community and details about life during the Second Temple period. The Museum of the Bible welcomes more than one million visitors each year, giving the interactive game and the Dead Sea Squirrels along with Lipscomb's animation program a global platform.

"This is a pretty amazing opportunity to bring biblical history to life in a way that connects with kids," Nawrocki said. "Not only does it give them a hands-on experience with one of the most important discoveries in biblical archaeology, but it also allows us to share faith-based stories through a fun, creative lens."

Two Lipscomb alumni, Hatty Ryan King ('20) and New York-based actress Annika Burley, voice characters Justin and Jane in the scavenger hunt game. Both also appeared in the animated series, which Nawrocki created with the assistance of a team of Lipscomb faculty, students and alumni through the university's Imagine House production studio.

"Seeing the work of our faculty, students and alumni represented in a national museum is awesome," said Steve Taylor, executive director of Lipscomb's Imagine House. "This collaboration demonstrates how faith-based storytelling and high-quality animation can make ancient history come alive for families from across the country."

Nawrocki and Taylor will attend a gala at the Museum of the Bible on Nov. 20, celebrating the exhibit's opening, along with other creative collaborators and museum partners.

READ MORE about the making of the Dead Sea Squirrels

Lipscomb's animation program, housed in the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts, has become a launching pad for students interested in storytelling, design and digital media. Dean Mike Fernandez said whether it's Dead Sea Squirrels, Wingfeather Saga or many others like it, partnerships like these highlight the real-world opportunities available to Lipscomb students through the university's industry-connected faculty.

"This collaboration exemplifies what makes our program distinct," said Fernandez. "Our students, faculty and alumni aren't just learning the craft, they're participating in professional projects, getting paid for their work, getting professional IMDB credit and co-creating stories with lasting cultural and spiritual impact. This partnership with the Museum of the Bible showcases that beautifully."

The Dead Sea Squirrels, based on Nawrocki's best-selling 12-book series published by Tyndale, follows Merle and Pearl, two squirrels preserved in Dead Sea salt for 2,000 years and revived by a modern-day boy named Michael. Together, they share firsthand stories of Jesus' teachings while navigating life in the 21st century. The series premiered in 2024 on the Christian streaming platform Minno and quickly became one of its top-rated shows. Production is now underway for a second season.

"From the start, my mission with Dead Sea Squirrels has been to share biblical truths with kids in an engaging and creative way," Nawrocki said. "This new partnership with the Museum of the Bible is another exciting way to do that helping children not only see history but experience it."

For more information about the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit, visit museumofthebible.org. Learn more about Lipscomb's animation program and Imagine House at lipscomb.edu/cea.