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Learning is a lot of
fun at Ft. Lauderdale’s Museum of Discovery and Science
By Mark Whichard
If there is anyone in
your family who thinks that learning in general or science
in particular, is tedious and boring, then they haven’t been
to the Museum of Discovery and Science in Fort Lauderdale.
This is a museum with more than 200 interactive exhibits and
special shows that compete with the best of Florida’s
tourist attractions.
Promoting lifelong
learning in science for children and adults through exhibits
and programs is the mission of this museum and they do it in
flying colors.
An example of the
novelty and inventiveness of this place is a special exhibit
that they are currently running. “Grossology, the impolite
science of the human body” uses animatronics and other
high-tech interactive exhibits to let you discover, in a
humorous way, everything about the human body including
warts, pimples, farts, belches and the like.
The museum offers a mix
of special exhibits, like Grossology that rotate during the
months and some permanent exhibits as well. The permanent
exhibits will also capture the imagination of young and old
alike. For example the Runways to Rockets exhibit hall has a
new 4,000 square foot aviation station where visitors will
be able to learn how to fly by actually stepping into a
simulated cockpit. You will even be able to put on personal
wings and step into an air tunnel and feel what flying is
all about.
Another stand-out
exhibition is the Living in the Everglades section of the
museum. Here you will find an 11,000 square foot outdoor
trail that highlights the different ecosystems of Florida.
The indoor exhibit has interactive kiosks showing the
importance of the Everglades, the effect of humans on the
Everglades and current efforts to restore this eco-system to
a healthy condition.
The discovery center
section of the museum was especially designed for children
seven years old and younger. Here they can climb a tree,
build a wall or hoist a sale and experience the fun of
learning how the world is put together.
For older folks, the
Gizmo City section explains how things work, and how
technology affects our lives. The highlight here is the
virtual volleyball game.
One of the big
block-buster features of the Museum is an IMAX movie theater
with five story-high screens. The screen is said to be the
biggest in southern Florida and measures sixty by eighty
feet. The sound experience is also spectacular with 42
speakers belting out 15,000 watts of digital surround
sound.
You can even bring home
some of the fun of this museum by shopping in their Explore
Store where you will find games, toys, books and gifts that
express the themes of the museum.
The Museum is located in
the Arts and Science District, across from Riverwalk's
Esplanade Park and the Broward Center for the Performing
Arts in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Admission prices are a
modest $10 for adults (less for seniors and children) and a
good buy is the $15 General admission ticket which gets you
into the exhibits and one IMAX film show.
Mark and Susan Whichard are Orlando tourism experts and write frequently about attractions in and around Orlando.
Mark and his wife Susan are the proprietors of
Quality Villa Rentals Orlando. You can get great deals on
Orlando vacation homes and villa rentals at this website
http://www.qualityvillarentals.com
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