Ten Things to Love About the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

 

My earliest childhood museum memories were of the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.  Back in those days, the museum was a maze of static dinosaur bone exhibits and scenes from a historic old west village.  The most high tech exhibit was the Illuminated Woman, whose anatomically correct body was encased in clear plastic, allowing visitors to see her inner organs.  What made her extra fancy was a network of buttons that, when pushed, would illuminate the various organs and systems in her body.  She was endlessly fascinating, even as I reached my teen years, although on a field trip with my 8^th grade class, I noticed that there were only three or four buttons that really got any attention from the teenagers. <Insert childish snickers here.>

When the museum was slated for a total renovation a few years ago, I was totally prepared to hate it no matter the outcome.  I’ve never been a big fan of change, and it is especially troubling with the change messes with your rosy colored childhood memories.  And I was worried about the fate of the Illuminated Woman.   Would anyone be pushing her buttons ever again?

When the new and improved Fort Worth Museum of Science and History opened its doors everything-from the innovative architecture to the flexible and evolving learning space-proved to be the perfect place for my kids to make their first museum memories.   The museum has quickly become a staple of our field trips and outings, and we particularly enjoy that we can always find something new, even at a museum we know so well.   As for the Illuminated Woman, I have heard that she is nostalgically tucked away in the vaults of the museum, and could make an appearance at some point in the future.  In the mean time, as my kids reach adolescence, the will just have to find some other exhibit to illicit their snickering.

~Dreamtime Sculpture at the center of Innovations Studios~

10 Things I Love About the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

 

~Exploring inside the Designer Studio with a life sized Light Bright~

1. A changing innovative space that promotes creativity.  Innovation Studios is the heart of the children’s portions of the museum, and includes six creative spaces designed for open ended play.  Just stepping into the exhibit and seeing the Dreamtime Sculpture and low soft lighting sets the stage for a unique learning environment.   Revolving exhibits that encourage exploration and experimentation are housed inside each room, and there is always something new to keep kids interest with every visit.

 

~Dino Dig~

2. Outdoor spaces. Museums are great for rainy days, but I love a space that allows kids to get out and explore when the weather is nice. The Dino Dig and the Water Play exhibits are perfect for sunny days.  Gotta get that Vitamin D.

3.      Omni Theatre.  The Omni Theatre has been a fixture of the museum since I was a kid, and it is just as innovative now as it was then.  The giant egg shaped screen immerses you in surround sight and sound, making the movies on the screen as realistic as possible.   This screen takes a ho-hum educational movie and turns it into an exciting experience that kids will beg to do again and again.  The helicopter ride over the city of Fort Worth at the beginning of each film is an iconic throwback to the days of my childhood. My kids find it as exhilarating as I did back then, and we all enjoy the moment when the helicopter tips over, allowing the magic of the screen to make it feel as if you are hanging freely over the city.

~Toddler Space with Parent Lounge in the Background~

4.  A space just for little ones.  The Fort Worth Children’s Museum is housed inside the Innovation Studios and is designed for kids 8 and under.   It is an open space with only one exit, which makes it ideal for a mom of several young kids to keep an eye on everyone as they explore.  There is even a special section for little ones under 3 and a space for crawling babies to play.  A room for nursing moms and changing tables are also available here.

~Entrance to the Noble Planetarium~

5. A Rockin'Planetarium. Whatever the age, the planetarium offers “out of this world” presentations.  Not only does the Noble Planetarium offer guides to the Texas Sky and typical stargazing programs, but they also offer laser shows set to rock music in the evenings, as well as a tour of the night sky by Big Bird and friends for the little ones. 

 

6. State of the Art Traveling Exhibits.  For many years, it seemed like the east and west coast got all the great traveling exhibits, while those of us in the middle of the country were left drooling and wishing that the museums would show us a little love.  The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History changed all that and now houses some of the best and most sought after traveling exhibits in the country.

7. Employees that Know and Like Children.  The employees at the Fort Worth Museum, particularly those who work inside Innovations Studios, bring a certain magical quality to the space.  They are ready and willing to sit down with kids and give them new ways to explore or offer them challenges to help them get the most out of their visit.  These happy faces in the yellow shirts aren’t your average docents.  They are the heart of the museum, and they have genuine interest in having fun with kids.

~Photo Courtesy of Fort Worth Museum of Science and History~

8.       Spaces that Encourage Good Old Fashioned Play.  Creative play is a huge part of the museum, and it is not uncommon to see groups of kids quietly working on a masterpiece.  But, the museum is also a place that understands kids and their need to burn off some steam.  At the center of the Innovation Studios, you will find a huge open gallery that invites kids to enjoy spinning on a top, hula hooping or some other gross motor play.  Any place that has a dinosaur shaped slide as the centerpiece of the gift shop must understand what kids really want.

 

9.       A Wild Ride at the Energy Blast.  TXO’s Energy Blast makes learning about fuel and energy fun!  Guests enter the exhibit through a six minute 4-D presentation that takes them back in time 300 million years.  As your seat twists and turns, you will learn about how geoscientists are harnessing energy sources deep in the Earth.  It’s heavy science learning, but the kids will think it’s a roller coaster.

10.   A Location that Leads to All Day Exploration. Located in the Cultural District, the Museum of Science and History is an easy walk from four other award winning museums.  It’s a breeze to start your day at the Kimball Art or Modern Art Museum for a little high brow cultural, and then zip over to the Science and History Museum when the kids need to blow off some steam.