My kids got an up-close view at some out of this world item at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery’s new exhibit Beyond Earth: the Exploration of Space that opened at the end of October. The museum is always a great way to spend a few hours, and Beyond Earth is worth the trip.
If you aren’t sure where to find the exhibit when you get to Boonshoft, just look for the giant 6-foot model of the moon on the second level of the museum. You can’t miss it, and my girls, ages 4 and 3, sure didn’t.
The exhibit is contained in a room near the Science on a Sphere theater, and it’s a stunner when you walk in. Huge telescopes dominate the center of the display, reaching way above my girls’ heads and even over mine. Glass cases contain rocks and minerals in all different textures and colors that are found in space.
There is a lot of information to take in but since my kids are little, they were drawn right to an area where you can dress up like an astronaut. NASA helmets, backpacks, gloves and lab
coats are all available for the kids to try on. They loved playing with the mission control panel that is covered with dozens of buttons, switches and dials. The kids also can be scientists at a table with puzzles, blocks and more.
A table with space-themed books is great for kids of any age. And while most of the exhibit is behind glass, a 16-pound iron meteorite is just waiting to be touched.
In one corner of the room is the Yaskawa Motoman Dual-Arm Robot. You can watch the robot move blocks from one tray to another, which is way cooler than it sounds. The kids weren’t the only ones mesmerized by its smooth, precise movements.
Beyond Earth will be at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery through August of next year. I’m glad it will have a long run because we’ll definitely check it out again next time we are there.
About the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery – Located at 2600 DeWeese Parkway, the Boonshoft Museum is open to the public 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 12 noon-5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $14.50 for adults, $12.50 for seniors (60+), and $11.50 for children (3-17). Children under 3 and members are free. (937) 275-7431. BoonshoftMuseum.org.
