Discovery Science Center553

The Discovery Science Center, also known as the Discovery Cube, is a 59,000-square-foot interactive, hands-on learning facility designed to spark children's natural curiosity. Dedicated to kids' education through entertainment, it's as much like an amusement park as a museum.

Kids are encouraged to touch, play, and explore science-related exhibits in a fun and entertaining way.

Nine exhibit areas are featured: Discovery Stadium (where kids can test their physical knack by gauging their reaction times, grip strength, and balance ability), Techno Arts, Air and Space, Perception, Dynamic Earth, Quake Zone, KidStation, the Digital Lab, and Dino Quest.

Dino Quest, the center's newest permanent exhibit, takes families on a trip through the prehistoric world with several life-size dinosaurs, including an argentinosaurus that guests can walk through, a T-Rex, several velociraptors, and others.

Discovery Science Center houses nearly 100 interactive exhibits. Lie on a bed of 3,500 nails (and learn the secret of weight disbursement), walk through a tornado, experience an earthquake, and more.

Additional features are a computer room with 20 terminals, a demonstration theater, 4-D Laser Theater (an additional $2-$3), two classrooms, and a science store.

Kids ages five and under can experience electronic finger painting and can dress up and be on a TV screen in the KidStation area. Even the very smallest of the small can enjoy the soft-play section.

Discovery Activities take place from 2pm-5pm daily.

The Center hosts numerous summer camp options. Most camps are for children ages seven to 13, but Summer Smiles is a new half day camp for five and six year olds. The week-long day camps focus on science and technology and run daily either from 9am to 2:30pm or 9am to 12n. Class fees include admission to Discovery Science Center. Members pay discounted fees. Extended day programs (including a snack and structured activities) from 2:30pm to 5pm are available for some camps, for an additional fee.

Food options include a Taco Bell (the center's major sponsor) and Pizza Hut Express.

Children 17 years of age and under need to be accompanied by an adult.

To save time on the day, tickets may be purchased in advance on the museum's website.