The Children’s Discovery Museum of West Virginia is opening two new hands-on science exhibits “Space Weather” and “Nano” with the help of the West Virginia University Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The exhibits are open now for sneak peaks and will officially open on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for the official opening event. Admission is $4 per child. Adults and children under 12 months are free.

During the opening, WVU physics students will lead nano and space weather related hands-on activities. Visitors can also “ask the scientist” questions about space weather.

In the space weather exhibit, visitors will explore solar storms and the effects they have on the Earth and our satellites. Hands-on stations include a plasma ball, magnets, creating electricity with a magnet and an astronaut challenge.

The Space Weather exhibit was funded largely by a grant from WVU and was a partnership between the Children’s Discovery Museum of West Virginia, Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, and the College of Education and Human Services.

This exhibit was designed and created by Paul Cassak, associate professor of physics at WVU; Julie Bryan, the director of the Children’s Discovery Museum of West Virginia; and associate professor Jeffrey Carver in WVU’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction/Literacy Studies.

“It was truly a partnership between WVU and the CDMWV,” Cassak said.

“Children and adults will enjoy the hands-on activities while exploring cutting-edge science. We hope the new exhibits inspire children to pursue careers in science.”

The nano exhibit is a new, engaging exhibition that explores the cutting-edge world of nanoscience, the study of materials measured at the nanometer, a billionth of a meter. It lets people imagine and discover the nanoscale world—a world so tiny it is too small to see.

This exhibit includes hands-on interactive exhibits that invite exploration of nano phenomena and real-world applications and implications.

The Nano exhibit is produced by the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network with funding from the National Science Foundation.

The Children’s Discovery Museum of West Virginia is located in Morgantown at the Mountaineer Mall at 5000 Greenbag Road.

Parking is available near the former Women’s Fitness Center. There is no access from inside the mall. Visitors should enter the museum through the parking lot. The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information on the museum, visit our website at www.cdmwv.org or call 304-292-4646.

-WVU-

jb/ma/09/22/14

CONTACT: Julie Bryan, Director, Children’s Discovery Museum of West Virginia
304-292-4646

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