“Awesome!”, “Cool!”, “Amazing!” those are the replies my 11, 9, & 6 year olds gave when asked what they thought about their experience at Michigan Science Center. Michigan Science Center is a hands-on STEM based museum located in Detroit, Michigan. We ventured up there and had the pleasure of partaking in their Glow Night. Glow Nights are special evening hours, 6-9pm, with discounted pricing (now through the 6^th of Jan.), and some added Holiday fun. But best off all it provided us the opportunity to see what amazing exhibits, displays, and activities one can do, see, interact with, & even make at Michigan Science Center (MiSci).

Our visit…..

First Stop- Engineering

Kiddos had a blast venturing across the 80-foot-long Mini Mac Bridge, traveling the roundabout, working the U.S. Steel Fun Factory and more…..

Next Stop-Health & Wellness

We discovered the importance of good nutrition and fitness, uncovered some of the hidden factors that affect our health both now and in the future, we learned how to make smart choices to improve our health, and had fun whacking sugar & fats!

Then we were off to the final Frontier-Space

We had a glimpse of the wonders of the universe and the history of human space travel….the rest of it was located on a level below us that wasn’t open in the evening…thus, we totally have to go back!

We enjoyed learning about the constellation in the winter sky and about Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights, during the Planetarium show. Dassault Systèmes Planetarium features a Digistar® II projection system with 13,000-watt Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and a 50-foot-wide, three-story-high-dome, and comfy chairs.

Our final stop, Creatures of Light exhibit! (This special exhibit Ends Jan. 15th)

We voyaged to the otherworldly realm of bioluminescence — the creation of light by living organisms. We traveled through summer meadows, learned why Fireflies glow, ventured into a cave to see worms glowing, and the deep sea to explore this incredible natural phenomenon.

Glow Night was the perfect sampling of MiSci and it left us longing for more…so in order to satiate our appetite for science and fun we are already planning our next visit and it will include seeing….

Kidstruction

Kidstruction -Become an engineer and create structures with large vinyl blocks, giant planks, k’nex and more. Use tablets to experiment with design and participate in our building challenges. Included with paid general admission

Spark!Lab

Through hands-on activities, interactions with facilitators, and even conversations with inventors from the community, children and families engage in the process of invention. The self-led exploration that happens in this interactive space creates environments that support the creative and collaborative thinking so important to invention and entrepreneurship. Spark!Lab Smithsonian is where science center visitors become inventors and innovators.

Chrysler IMAX® Dome Theatre

Feel like you’re a part of the action. Showing films that entertain, educate and inspire, Michigan’s only IMAX® dome theatre surrounds audiences with an experience that thrills students and adults alike. Its 67.5-foot-wide, five-story high screen, modern stadium-style seating and state-of-the art technology creates an ultimate movie experience not to be missed!

We can’t wait to go back! Intrigued? Want to learn more? Perhaps plan your trip to MiSci today? Here are all the details….

Details

Phone: (313) 577-8400

Address: 5020 John R St, Detroit, MI 48202

Website: http://www.mi-sci.org/

Admission: General admission is $14/adult, $11/child 12 and under or senior citizen (60+). Children under age two are free. (If you have an Imagination Station Membership you will receive 50% OFF!! It is advised to use your discount and just pay a la carte for the IMAX ($6per person) & the Planetarium shows ($6 per person)…your savings is deeper with this option as opposed to waiving your discount and going with one of the packages they offer…I found the website admission info slightly confusing so I gave them a call and a lovely woman walked me through the admission options over the phone). They also offer 3 different package prices online that do provide a slight discounts, click on link to view those, http://www.mi-sci.org/visit/#admissions

Hours: Jan. 7 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Jan. 8 – 11 Closed for maintenance

Jan. 9 Normal hours resume:

M-T Closed

W-F 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sun noon-6 p.m.

Jan. 16: Martin Luther King Day 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Parking: http://www.mi-sci.org/visit/parking/

Amenities: Lockers, Coat Racks, & Café

Upcoming Events:

After Dark: Come spend your Third Thursday at After Dark, their monthly happy hour for ages 21+ only, while exploring exciting science concepts.

Upcoming After Dark dates and themes:

January 19 – Vintage Video Games
February 16 – Mardi Gras

FX Xpereince: Don’t miss out on MSC new FX: Family Xperience series the first Saturday of every month! All activities are included with paid general admission. Click on link to see schedule of events for 2017, http://www.mi-sci.org/discover/fx-family-experience/

Looking for more fun Indoor Adventures in SE Michigan and NW Ohio this winter? Click Here