Much To Discover

Students learn from doing at Little Rock museum

The Museum of Discovery in Little Rock is a very busy place. And during spring break week, it's going to be even busier than normal. PBS' Sid the Science Kid will visit on Thursday and March 28, and the museum will also open on Monday, a day it's normally closed.

Just how busy? Add the 90 permanent discovery stations to the current temporary exhibit, "Tech City," and the appearance by Sid and it makes for a full day.

FYI

Little Rock

Museums

William J. Clinton Presidential Library — Contains presidential artifacts and personal effects of the 42nd president. A current temporary exhibit of note is “Presidential Pets: A Friend in the White House” and documents the many animals that have also called the White House home. Free. 501-374-4242.

Arkansas Arts Center — Has many works on display in its permanent collection. Also next week, the center’s children’s theater department will host performances of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” Admission to the permanent collection is free. Play tickets are $12.50. 501-372-4000.

FAQ

Museum of Discovery

HOURS — 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday

WHERE — 500 President Clinton Ave. in Little Rock

COST — $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and younger

INFO — 501-396-7050 or museumofdiscovery.o…

BONUS — Because of the expected increase in visitors during spring break week, the Museum of Discovery will also be open on Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"Anyone from any background can enjoy the museum," says museum spokeswoman Kendall Thornton. And she does mean anyone; she sometimes believes adults enjoy it more than kids do.

The Museum of Discovery has a long history, and it's continued to grow over the years. The Museum of Natural History & Antiquities opened in 1927, making it the oldest existing museum in Little Rock. The museum collection moved around several times, but it's been located on President Clinton Avenue since 1998.

Activities inside the museum are varied, but all explore math, science or physics concepts. Most are hands-on or interactive. Take, for instance, the area called Tornado Alley. It places museum goers in a bunker as audio from an actual tornado touchdown in downtown Little Rock is played. After the warning to take cover, the shelter shakes.

Other popular attractions within the museum include a bed of nails -- which supports a human's weight without injury -- and several body-related exhibits. The tinkering studio is much like it sounds -- students work on projects.

"It's a chance to be creative, make mistakes and learn from those mistakes," Thornton says.

The current temporary exhibit is "Tech City," which Thornton says examines various engineering aspects of a city. Within the exhibit, guests dam a creek, build bridges and control traffic. The last element happens as users play with stoplight timing, making imaginary commuters happy or angry in the process.

Also taking place as visitors walk through the complex will be floor shows featuring the museum's living guests. The Museum of Discovery holds the state's second-largest collection of live animals behind the Little Rock Zoo. Animals such as cockroaches, snakes, hedgehogs and ferrets will be shown off by handlers.

NAN What's Up on 03/21/2014

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