Is your family one of the many who have visited the Discovery Museums in Acton over the last 35 years? My children love the Discovery Museums; there's something new to discover around every corner, and so much to play with and learn. It's so exciting to announce that a newly expanded and completely renovated museum will open on March 3. (Note this new date -- construction issues delayed the grand opening from February 10 to March 3.) The all-new Discovery Museum will hold a Grand Opening Weekend on March 3-4, and children will be admitted free.
The Discovery Museum launched its renovation campaign in 2013, eventually raising $8.8 million, $400,000 over its goal. This successful campaign was made possible by donations from over 200 individuals, corporations and organizations, including the Sheth Sangreal Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, and matching grants from The Manton Foundation. The goal of the fundraising campaign was to replace the aging infrastructure -- which needed lots of attention after 35 years -- add modern amenities, increase the museum's capacity, and enable people of all abilities to access the museum.
The expanded and completely renovated museum -- now called the Discovery Museum to reflect the change to one building from the previous two separate structures -- has twice the exhibit space of the original building and includes new galleries for STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) displays and activities. Many of the original visitor favorites from the original building are in the new building, including a Diner, the Train Room and the Ship Room. All exhibits are hands-on, low-tech, open-ended and interactive to encourage play, exploration and experimentation. Accessibility is key at the new museum; the building is ADA-compliant, and all exhibits are accessible.
“With this great new museum we will reach many more families and will serve as an example for making great STEAM learning experiences available to all kids; demonstrating ways to get kids back outdoors to play; and, advocating for play as the basis for children’s growth and development,” said CEO Neil Gordon. “The most important thing we can do is to prepare kids to tackle the challenges of a rapidly changing, complex world. The new Discovery Museum will inspire every child to find his or her most creative and curious self, and to discover the wonder and truth of science and the joy and importance of the natural world.”
New exhibits include:
- da Vinci Workshop: Visitors can use tools, recycled materials, and raw materials to tinker, design, build and invent like the famed inventor and engineer Leonardo da Vinci. Experiment with aerodynamics principles using a vertical airstream.
- Brain Building Together: A dedicated space for children age birth to three and their caregivers, this exhibit is designed based on the latest in early brain development research.
- Simple Machines Gallery: Create and experiment with simple machines using balls, ramps, gears and cogs, inclined planes, screws and pulleys.
- Sound Gallery: Explore and experience sound by seeing, hearing and feeling sound waves and physical vibrations.
- Yes, It's Math: Fun, hands-on activities show that math is all around us and we're naturally good at it!
- Water Gallery: Learn the scientific principles of water with pure, wet fun in this hands-on exhibit.
- A-Mazing Airways: Test and demonstrate the incredible power of air with this 13-foot-tall interactive pneumatic sculpture of tubes and blowers.
- Light and Color Galley: Explore the properties of and relationship between light and color in this re-designed exhibit that incorporates LED technology.
Watch for all the details of the Grand Opening weekend, and stay tuned for a fun giveaway from the Discovery Museum in March!
Discovery Museum
177 Main St
Acton MA 01720
(978) 264-4200
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