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Discover & Explore
If your kids haven’t been to the Discovery Center downtown lately, now is a good time to schedule a visit. // B Y K A R I N F A B R Y- C U S H E N B E R Y
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uring the coronavirus shutdown, the staff at the Discovery Center worked diligently (and creatively) to update several of the center’s activities and exhibits, and you’re going to want to check them out. They’re especially excited about this quarter’s exhibit, Astronaut Academy, opening October 3 and closing January 2. “We worked with several outside agencies, including Lockheed Martin, to put this wonderful exhibit together,” says Exhibit Supervisor Kate Messenger. “There are various hands-on activities that focus on the past, present and future of space travel and exploration.” The exhibit includes a scaled model of the Orion space capsule, a replica of a portion of the International Space Station (that the little ones get wheeled through to get a feel for what it might be like to be on the ISS) and an area to send their own golden record. “In the 1970s, two space probes were sent into outer space,” explains Kate. “The probes hold gold records plus information and a tool needed to play the record.” Kate says the idea is that if there is intelligent life out there, and they find the records (which can withstand
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the rigors of space), they will be able to learn, using simple photographic messages and information, about life on Earth. The data includes newscasts, music samples and more. And kids exploring the exhibit will get to hear an actual snippet of information contained within these records. “It really creates a lot of excitement and wonder for the kids,” says Kate. “It’s like an ultimate message in a bottle.” In addition to the main exhibit, the center offers two exploration rooms, one geared toward preschoolers and the other for older school children. Offerings include everything from hands-on building blocks and giant Lite Brite pegs to robotics equipment. “We will be offering sessions at 50 percent capacity as part of our Covid mitigations,” says Kate. “During the week we will close briefly during the day for a deep cleaning. Masks will be required for everyone over the age of 6,
and items will be sanitized and rotated out throughout each day.” You’ll find more new additions to the Discovery Center in the hallway. But here, the hallway isn’t just any old hallway, it’s a place to learn and explore. A newly installed interactive STEM storybook display and a marble run wall are sure to keep the little ones entertained. Just like in the past, the center will offer age-specific programming throughout the day, after school and on weekends. Kate encourages visitors to check out the “plan your visit” tab on the website for details. “We have programming available for preschool age through middle school kids,” she says. “Open registration for spring science and robotics classes begins in November.” Discovery Center // mydiscoverycenter.org // (352) 401-3900 // $8 general admission, ages 2 and under free // Tuesday-Friday sessions, 10am-12:30pm, 2-4:30pm // Saturday sessions, 10am-12pm, 12-2pm, 2-4pm