Discovery Museum and Planetarium, Connecticut

Posted On March 11, 2011

This one is the must-see interactive highlight in Connecticut. The Discovery Museum and Planetarium offers a practical interactive experience to the people of all ages. See, touch, hear, and explore all the possible features of technology, science, and ideas; which are preserved in more than 65 exhibit zones on three floors. Just one time visit will convince you that this Discovery Museum is the sole of its kind science museum for rediscovering your own planet. The museum is the home to the astonishing planetarium, exhibits, education programs, special events, summer camps, shows, Challenger Learning Center, parties, and the incredible Solar System Trail.

Among the exhibits, there are both visiting as well as permanent ones. The Upper Level galleries shows all about sound, light, renewable energy, sports, art, and science; while the Lower Level galleries house the exhibits related to space along with the Moon Base Discovery Play Area. All the temporary exhibits are seen in the Main Level Galleries.

At the Upper level of the museum, discover energy as sound and light; know what lenses can do; beat a drum kit using the optical remote control; know how the anechoic chamber functions without the echo; listen to Alexander Graham Bell; and attempt an experiment like Mr. Bell in the Sound and Light Galleries. In the Preschool Power exhibit for 0-3 years old, enjoy the colorful structures aimed at developing the motor skills like coordination, know about light and touch, experience the colors and shapes, explore gravity, and learn about spatial perception amidst on eco-friendly and child-safe flooring featuring no-shoe entry.

Sports Science allows you to shoot with different shapes, jump high, stretch wide, and compare the hands and feet sizes; while the Solar Legos makes you experience the power of solar panels in the world of automobiles. In the Mezzanine Art Gallery, explore the local artists’ works such as those by the Bridgeport artist named Liz Squillace.

At the Lower Level, the Space Galleries will allow you to touch a real meteorite that dropped on the land some 50,000 years ago, play video quizzes to test your knowledge, drive a remote controlled rover, spot the latest features from NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope, take your picture as an astronaut, explore the Evolution of the Spacesuit, ascend around the Moonbase, play in the hydroponic garden, drive the lunar rover around a video moon, arrange the soil samples, and handle a remote manipulator claw. And yes, you can also see the films that belong to the IMAX Space Collection.

In the Henry B. duPont III Planetarium featuring stereo sound system, children over eight years can watch out the 30 to 50 minutes long shows under a domed ceiling and with the traditional Spitz 512 Planetarium Projector, video projectors, and digital full-dome projection system all offering informative spatial experiences.

Facilities

• Dining area where snacks as well as drinks are available from the vending machines in the Food Court for lunch • Coatroom on the Main Level • Bathroom Facilities/Restrooms in the middle of all three levels of the Discovery Museum • Handicap accessible restrooms on Lower Level • Baby changing stations on the upper and lower levels • Wheelchair and strollers on all levels • Lift in the south gallery • Photography facilities

Timings

Tuesday to Saturday: 10 to 5.
Monday: Closed except for July and August.
New Year, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas: Closed.