Description: The Science Place located in Fair Park is a wonderful museum for children. There are a ton of educational, fun exhibits like the television screen that will only turn on when a child spins pedals fast enough to create the needed energy... or the giant spider maze in one corner through which children must climb without tripping a warning bell... or the loop the loop wooden tracks that children roll golf balls on to demonstrate the force of gravity... or the vortex a child can create with propellers in water by pressing a button.... or.... the list goes on and on.
In addition to exhibits, we saw a free laser light presentation sponsored by Lucent Technologies the day we visited the museum. A young employee was able to make fiberoptics an interesting subject as she explained to kids the practical uses of light. Children "oohhhhed" and "ahhhed" at laser light traveling through long glass strands that looked like a ponytail of hair. Light separated through a prism created rainbows on the wall. Kids were asked to help with the different presentations, thus they were kept involved and interested. Best of all, the presentation was exactly the right length of time--15 minutes tops--for a squirming crowd of children who were learning something new.
For younger kids, there is a KIDS'' PLACE. Only children under 6 are allowed to play in the giant sandbox here, on the computers that are built to be a little guy''s size. There is also an animal section (big kids welcomed here, too) with lives birds and bunnies to view. Aspiring actors can dress up in animal costumes if they want to!
The IMAX and planetarium at the Science Place have an extra charge attached, but combo tickets are available.
Tip: On the day of your Science Place visit, bring a lunch (or buy something at the snack bar) and eat under the trees behind the museum. Your kids will like looking at the turtles swimming in the lake!
We spent the better part of the day at the Science Place, and the two boys with me would''ve been happy to stay longer.
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