Discovery Science Center

There's plenty to fill up the day here at the
Discovery Science Center. It's two stories of
hands-on fun, demonstrating principals of
science with eight theme areas. Downstairs,
Dynamic Earth shows how waves and
tornados are made. It was here that my 12-
year old son couldn't pull himself away,
building dams of sand just to watch the build-
up of water break them down. The Quake
Zone demonstrates liquefaction and other
earth shaking dynamics, while the "Bed Of
Nails" at Human Perception entices the brave.
Be sure to take a picture for kids to show off
later to their friends or at school "show &
tell", as well as an "I Survived The Bed Of
Nails" smashed penny souvenir. Upstairs at
Space Exploration a test of balance
demonstrates the inner ear and proves to be
quite challenging. The Flashlight Garden was
a favorite of mine. It not only demonstrated
how light is needed to make plants grow, but
also how cells split and multiply as well as
genetics; how "baby flowers" look like their
"parent flower" and how they eventually
evolve into a totally different blend of colors
and shapes. There is still five other stations;
Principals Of Flight, Human Performance,
Exploration Station, Space Station and
Kidstation, nearly too much to do and see in
one visit. Pick up a grade appropriate booklet
to guide your child to demonstrations that
they may be learning in school. Scheduled
shows keep things new and interesting,
usually for only a buck or two per person.
During our visit their 3-D Laser Theater was
teaching weather patterns, while a the
Showcase Gallery hosted a snake show,
ending with a Boa Constrictor draped around
the children's shoulders. Up-and-coming is
the BubbleFest VIII, scheduled for April 3-18
with seven-time Guinness Book of World
Records holder and master of the soap
bubble, Fang Yang returning by popular
demand. He will be attempting to break the
Guinness Book record with the most people in
a bubble! It's a full day here, requiring a
lunch break, and though they have Pizza Hut
and Taco Bell Express with indoor and outdoor
seating and surprisingly reasonable prices,
the lines can get impatiently long on
weekends, holidays and peak lunch hours.
You might consider packing a tailgate lunch.
Pay the Launch Pad Science Store a visit
before leaving, it's full of the fun and
fascinating souvenirs and gifts parent can
appreciate. I was highly impressed with the
amount of information they have here and
how easily it is to absorb it. At the Discovery
Science Center learning really is fun!

Admission is $11 for adults, $8.59 for youth 3-
7 and 55+, members and children 2 and under
are free.

Basic yearly memberships are $50 for one
person and a guest, $75 for a family of two
adults and up to four children or
grandchildren, as well as several other
membership packages. Parking is $3

Open Daily 10:00 to 5:00 p.m., closed only on
Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's
Day.

Located at 2500 N. Main Street

in Santa Ana.

Telephone (909) 542-CUBE

Website: www.discoverycube.org