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| - I attended their Free Fry's Weekend last Sunday early afternoon (most recommended day & time to attend- less crowded, fewer kids & those stupid strollers with sleeping babies). It was my 1st visit and likely my last....
I had been curious about the Center and decided to take advantage of the annual free admission offered by Fry's foods, since the local libraries seem to be out of the Culture Pass for free admission to the Center to attend any time.
I pre-registered on the website and selected Will Call. Upon showing up, I was bypassed the long lines by the staff but when I got to the table, they didn't even know how to do Will Call. I had to tell them my name's on their computer because that's what Will Call is: your name/info is on the computer. Duh. A bearded bespectacled guy in a blue shirt spotted my name on the 'puter and motioned to the blue-shirted gal back to that table to hand me the white wristband as proof of admission. As I proceeded into the Center, I was fascinated by the interactive scientific workshops in the engaging atmosphere that screamed "north pole-esque". My favorite room was the Freeman Gallery, which was geared more for adults . It curated vintage Arizona from the past couple centuries up to the 1960s featuring homes built throughout the years and how the building of the authentic pipes, toilets, walls, ceilings had evolved. It also showcased various ways of how they kept cool in Arizona over the years. My all-time favorite part of the Gallery was actually the beautiful scaled miniaturized homes from various decades, built by hand that were housed inside each glass. I bet Mike Brady would proudly gaze at them for hours on end ;) Most other (free) galleries were geared towards kids. There were paid-for / long-lined showcases such as Zip Bike ride up in the ceiling (with a safety net below it) and a Dorrance Planetarium, but I wasn't interested since I wanted to see how much you could do and enjoy on a freebie only. They had a cafe (which offered 10% discount if you showed your Fry's VIP shopper card) and a separate concession stand. And, a gift shop.
Overall, the couple hours I spent there was worth it only on a free admission. I give kudos to the artists, builders, creators, photographers, scientists, etc. who donated their "inventions" to the Center for us to enjoy ogling over. I thank Fry's for the generous admission. However, there were awkward moments besides that Wall Call. I couldn't tell who working there was staff, "docent", or security? How do I flag who when I needed something? What did the (too-casual) blue or yellow shirt stood for? Most working there appeared overwhelmed and under-trained. They seemed more interested in just walking around or chatting amongst each other, a few gave me empathetic shrugs when I asked if they had a map or brochure or rules or anything that represented the freebie weekend, and they did not interact with the kids & parents associated with the displays so the kids ended up entertaining themselves and barely learning anything science-wise. And, that creepy man-cave unbathed-looking bearded bespectacled reject of a guy who processed my Will Call accosted me a half-hour later as a lone female of the moment and tried to tell me something. He appeared rushed. They usually say something to you if they wanted something from you or if you're doing something wrong, right? I am hearing-impaired and had no idea what he was saying so I just smiled without interest and walked away. I may look normal and attractive on the outside but you don't know me. I could be handicapped or a foreigner and you couldn't tell so he had no business to attempt to talk to me (no, I could tell it wasn't an emergency and I checked around my surroundings to be sure). I did nothing that warranted special attention. Or, if he knew I was hearing-impaired, I did not request assistance associated with it. Thanks, but no thanks. Happily, no one noticed or cared, so no awkward scenario. I will also be forwarding this to the administration.
In concluding, why isn't it called "Arizona Science 'Museum'"? Oh, I think I got it!
UPDATE: As of today October 9, 2017, I still have yet to hear from an administrator regarding that bespectacled staff member in the blue shirt. I sent a request on their contact form for the correct e-mail so I could forward that photo of the bespectacled staffer (which you can't do in their contact form). Since this page is Claimed by the Center and an employee responded to a reviewer in the past, I hope it is a sign that they are reading this and addressing the staff member. Just so they know, if they don't take action (responding to me or handling that guy), karma will bite them in the arse- and hard! I will update some more if I hear back eventually...
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