Nashville's Adventure Science Center
Revamped Museum Engages Kids in All Things Science
May 30, 2009
Originally established in 1944 as the Children’s Museum of Nashville, the facility that would become the Adventure Science Center underwent a move, multiple name changes and a massive 2002 transformation. Today, more than 260,000 visitors pass through the center annually. Clearly, the center has cornered the market on making learning about science - from space exploration to the science of skin – fun.
Adventure Tower Takes Kids on a Crazy Climb through Scientific Exploration
The Adventure Science Center ’s centerpiece, the Adventure Tower, takes kids on a multi-level climb with areas that focus the museum's six scientific concept areas: earth science, creativity and innovation, sound and light, air and Space and health and energy.
Young climbers learn about the concepts of motion and force while designing their own roller coaster at the tower’s Kinetic Wall. Balls fall through magnetized troughs and tubes in crazy, interactive patterns, then get shot back to the top by air-powered tubes. In the Sight & Sound section, kids learn about the science of sound standing inside a giant guitar, plucking the strings and feeling the vibrations.
The physics of flight are the focus in the Air & Space section, where kids experiment with force, gravity and airflow via their own parachute designs. Youngsters get a bit of exercise in the Energy section. The Bicycle Elevator challenges them to pedal as fast as they can to power a generator and raise the “Televator” to the next level. But they won’t even break a sweat when they lift an actual automobile with a simple flip of a lever.
Future physicians get excited about Health by crawling through the four chambers and valves of a giant beating heart, then climbing the Vertebrae Ladder and a huge wall that represents a mega-magnified cross section of skin with hair follicles, sweat glands and touch receptors as hand and footholds.
Kids Get a Jump Start on Potential Professions
Other attractions at the Adventure Science Center include the 15,000-square-foot Space Chase wing, where kids get a glimpse of astronaut training and challenges. For instance, the EVA Experience challenges participants to attempt a series of activities in simulated weightlessness. Body Quest teaches the mechanics of the human body in ways that encourage healthy choices. An example: a giant blood vessel uses water to show how smoking can cause vessels to clog. Kids become instant cardiologists and insert a giant stent to get the blood flowing again. And the Mission Possible exhibit allows participants to learn first-hand about the science, medicine and sheer determination that helps those with physical handicaps overcome everyday obstacles.
In an attempt to boost the gender gap in science, math and technology professions, TWISTER, the Tennessee Women in Science, Technology Engineering & Research, offers periodic programs that target high school girls. Presenters in a range of related industries provide first-hand examples of their work and answer eager participants’ questions.
Offsite, budding astronomy enthusiasts and their families enjoy “star parties,” held on (hopefully)clear nights at area parks including Long Hunger State Park and Edwin Warner Park.
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