Museum of Discovery to debut two new permanent exhibits
The Museum of Discovery announced Thursday (Aug. 10) that it will open 78 new exhibits and experiences in its permanent Science Lab and Dynamic Earth galleries, which will open in early November.
The Little Rock-based science museum said the exhibits will replace those destroyed by a flood from burst pipes in 2021 that resulted in $7.6 million in damages.
“We are all so happy to be able to announce the pending debuts of these two exciting new galleries and appreciate everyone’s patience in the 2 ½ year process of these exhibits being designed, fabricated and soon installed,” said Museum of Discovery CEO Kelley Bass. “We are confident these new exhibits will thrill our guests and pique their curiosity and sense of wonder.”
Science Lab features three content-focused zones: Forces & Energy, Light & Sound, and Electricity & Magnetism. Each area features interactive exhibits that combine experimentation and intuitive exploration of concepts.
Dynamic Earth demonstrates how the planet changes through three zones: Adaptation, Transformations, and Forces of Change. Guests will witness how the smallest of microbes recycle energy back into systems of life or see what sets drastic geological changes into motion.
Construction on Science Lab will begin Monday, August 21, resulting in the closure of two exhibitions currently on display, A-MAZE-D and Science & Art. However, construction on Dynamic Earth downstairs will not begin until October 9, which will keep the Keva exhibit open.
Due to the closings of some of the museum’s exhibits and the ongoing construction related to the new galleries, all general admission tickets will be discounted $2 beginning August 21.
These projects are coming on the heels of Museum of Discovery’s installation of a two-story, three-tower climbing structure that debuted in November 2022. Science Lab, Dynamic Earth and the climber were designed by Hands On! Studio of St. Petersburg, Fla., and fabricated by Universal Services Associates of Folcroft, Penn.