The Maryland Science Center is a paradise for children from walking age to 90 or over. It has three floors of high-energy hands-on interactive exhibit (most permanent), some temporary shows, plus an IMAX Theater, the Davis Planetarium, and a Demonstration Stage with regular hours and programs tha change often. There is no time limit once you get in. You can stay all da if you want
Several permanent exhibits are worth seeking out. First, the K.I.D.S Room on the third floor has experiments and activities especially designed for ages three to seven. Parental supervision is required, but its s interesting youll want to stay there with your kids. Then theres Beyond Numbers, an exhibit of 50 hands-on displays that will cure Math Avoidanc Disorder for anyone who is willing to try to use topology, modern geometry, symmetry, and dynamical systems to relate math to everyday life. It provides the practical applications, which our dull, stupid math classes lacked, and avoids the drills and intimidating abstractions. Yet it stimulates those who really like the subject with exercises like unraveling mathematical knot theory
You dont have to live in this area to find the Chesapeake Bay exhibit interesting; its so important for the states that border and surround it, and provides an excellent introduction to the science of ecology.
There arent very many people who wont have fun with the Van de Graaff electrostatic generator exhibit. The Hubble Space Telescope display is wonderful for people who wish they could be astronauts, love astronomy, or just want to know what modern science is learning about our larger environment, th universe. The Space Center lets you see how satellites and space probes gather and provide information about the weather, Earths resources, and other planets.
In the Energy exhibit, you can explore the creation and transformation of energy in its various common forms as well as learn more about the history and properties of various fuels. See if YOU can keep the power from going off in a big city by prudently using all of its sources of energy—and still keep the cost to a minimum. It changes your perspective on your gas and electric bill. The Demo Stage has presentations all day each day, every hour on the half-hour.
In the Davis Planetarium, you can explore the universe, find constellations, visit other worlds, or travel deep into space. Beneath the 50-foot dome, hundreds of images and special effects mix with over 8,500 stars to explore the cosmos. Presently it features a fly-by of Jupiter by the Galileo space probe.
The 5-story IMAX Theater is similar to the one at the Washington D.C.s Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, but a free showing is included with each general admission. NightMAX is a good evenings entertainment with your kids.
The Science Center is handicap accessible inside and out. Most Davis Planetarium and IMAX shows are captioned for the hearing impaired; those that arent can be captioned upon request. Theres also a family restaurant and a science store.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore may well be the best aquarium in the United States. Its newest display, Jellies: Phantoms of the Deep will change most peoples attitude about a type of creature that strikes fear in th heart of anyone whos gone swimming in ocean waters. Jellyfish and other animals biologically related to them are presented as creatures of wild and colorful beauty, easy grace, and a source of profound wonder. This sense of wonder so pervades the whole aquarium that it has attracted 1.5 million visitors every year since it opened in 1981.
The tour includes a dolphin show and guides all along the route to answer any questions. Features include much more than the usual lovely and interesting fish. Theres a ray exhibit called Wings in the Water, a South American rain forest, Maryland: Mountains to the Sea, a displayed lesson in evolution called Surviving Through Adaptation, an Atlantic coral reef and a Childrens Cove. There are sharks, seals and puffins as well as the aforementioned jellyfish.
The Marine Mammal Pavilion includes not only the dolphin shows, but also a life-sized model of a humpback whale, an Exploration station, underwater dolphin view and exhibits, and a Discovery Corner. You can get food at the Pavilion Cafe and buy goodies and gewgaws at the Aqua Shop.
Both the Aquarium and Marine Mammal Pavilion are handicapped accessible and child friendly. Elevators, for people in wheelchairs and those of limited mobility, go to all floors. Special services are available for visitors wh are have limited vision or hearing impairments. You must check you stroller—but the service is free—and you can borrow a backpack (also free) for any child 25 pounds or under. No food, drink, or gum is allowe outside the Cafe, and smoking is prohibited in both buildings.