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| - My 10 year old self is upset with me for giving the Science Center a 3 star review, but my 21+ self was disappointed with the last evening event here.
To knock it out of the way, the 21+ nights are overpriced and the only benefit is the lack of children. As a student, these nights are not discounted in any way, and you are coughing up $10 early-bird and $15 at the door. Cocktails inside are $8-$10, and you are paying for food as well. The 21+ nights have nothing new or especially engaging. Plus, everyone does 21+ nights now, and the other museums are doing it for less. CMOA charges $5-$10, and Phipps is doing it for free. At least the Children Museum's nights let you make cool things to take home for $15.
Now that we've gotten that out of the way, there are some cool things for adults. The miniature railroad and village area is awesome at all ages (Make sure to blow the train's whistle by pressing the big button about midway through the village.). Building with the giant blocks has been popular in the past, and the Earthquake Cafe is always a favorite as well. Make sure to ride the elevator too, as you get to see how that works from the inside.
The one thing I haven't found in recent trips is the weather station exhibit where you can be a weather person. Is that gone?
The other floors gear to elementary aged-kids. The water area/playground thingy on the top floor is usually a big hit, although anticipate wet children on the drive home.
If you are coming with kids, be aware that exhibits only half work semi-frequently. The other thing is that the museum isn't as educational as one might think. While some exhibits are hands on, things like the physics behind the robot playing basketball are never explained. I might be hung up on this since my undergrad degree is in math, but I think the museum is lacking in scientific explanation sometimes.
This museum is a great way to spend an afternoon with a student in elementary school.
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