| Discovery Space Children's Science Museum Brings Science of FUN to State College |
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
| Written by Karen Walker |
|
Discovery Space Children's Science Museum Brings Science of FUN to State College, PA Discovery Space Children’s Science Museum on Foster Avenue in State College just opened in 2011 and is succeeding in fulfilling its mission—“To provide engaging science experiences which spark creativity, curiosity and imagination”--through fun interactive exhibits and a variety of programs.
Once you begin to explore the exhibits it is easy to see how a family could spend a couple of hours in the museum and not run out of things to do. In fact, parents will probably have just as much fun as the kids! The exhibits are set up to encourage interaction between parents & children, and volunteers are on hand to enhance your experiences.
A few of the experiences you will have:
• A weather center allows kids to give an on-screen weather forecast and learn about all aspects of meteorology, using an actual weather station located on the museum’s roof.
• A geology station, where you can examine rocks up close with magnifying glasses and see how some rocks fluoresce under short wave light & long wave light, and learn about coal
• A local geography station for learning about Pennsylvania geography and maps
• A flight simulation center
• An archaeology dig, with hidden artifacts buried in sand and a wall where you can write your name in hieroglyphics
• A crawl-inside beaver lodge with a video inside
• A puppet theatre
• A section called “The Nest” for the tiniest museum visitors, featuring toddler-sized mirrors, a colorful mural, and a “tummy time” mat for infants.
• Many exhibits created by Penn State Mechanical Engineering students, including weights & pulley systems, a marble course, a see-how-it-works engine
• Many opportunities to build and create with materials like straws and magnets, and a circuitry table provided by the Smithsonian
• A “Shake & Break” center, where kids can build a Lincoln Log structure and watch what happens to it when an earthquake strikes.
• A Flood Table, where you can see what happens to a model city when it is not protected by wetlands and the rains hit!
• A Wall of Illusions and a 3-D Room
The exhibits often change, and upcoming centers planned for the Mu
Discovery Space is a great place to hold a birthday party, too! Parties can be held on Saturdays and Sundays, and are held in The Studio. Parties are $180 for members and $220 for non-members, and include museum admission for up to 20 children, free admission for 2 parents of the birthday child and one parent of each guest child, 2-hour rental of the Studio, a Discovery Space t-shirt for the birthday child, and a personal party host who will facilitate a fun science activity! Who knows, maybe they will even break out the always popular Van de Graaf machine and make your hair stand on end!
Discovery Space is open Wednesday-Sunday, and admission is $6.
Memberships are also available, and are a great deal because not only do you get unlimited access to this Museum--you will also get free admission to any of the Museums around the world that participate in the ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers) Passport Program (as long as they are more than 90 miles away from Discovery Space). So, your membership to the Discovery Space will also get you in free to The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh, and many more museums around the world!!
The following levels of membership are available:
Household/Family Membership ($75) • One year unlimited admission for 2 named adults and all children living in one household • Subscription to our monthly e-newsletter and calendar of events • 4 months advance booking for the studio Single Parent Family Membership ($65) • One year unlimited admission for 1 named adult and his/her children • Subscription to our monthly e-newsletter and calendar • 4 months advance booking for the studio
Grandparent Membership ($65) • One year unlimited admission for 1-2 named grandparents and all grandchildren (17 and under) • Subscription to our monthly e-newsletter and calendar Gift Membership ($75)
One year unlimited admission for 2 named adults and all children living in one household
contact: info@mydiscoveryspace.org address: 112 West Foster Avenue, State College, PA 16801 website: http://www.mydiscoveryspace.org
Things to see and do in pennsylvania, PA, penna, Pennsylvania, activities,events, day trips, vacations, programs, fun, pa fairs, pa festivals, pa carnivals, family, children, kids, fall, winter, autumn, spring, summer, cheap, deals, discounts, coupons, things to see and do in pennsylvania, penna, pa, , fairs, festivals, carnivals, museums, science centers, cheap, discount, deals, coupons, vacations, day trips, prorgams, events, activities, parks, kids, children, family, promo code, Free |
seum include a Space exhibit and a Mind & Body center. The Museum offers many programs and events throughout the year for ages ranging from toddlers to tweens, including story times, science adventures, homeschool days, gardening sessions, after school weather wonders, Penn State Lunar Lion Team talks, and summer camps.