Hands-on exhibit constructs science and fun of building

The Museum of Discovery's Wow Gallery has been turned into a construction zone, and Chief Executive Officer Kelley Bass thinks it's about time.

"We have a very hands-on educational focus here with our Tinkering studio and Tinkerfest. I thought it would make sense to do a construction activity here," he says.

The museum has collaborated with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's Department of Construction Management, the Associated General Contractors Arkansas and Home Depot for the Build It Lab, five Saturdays (it began Jan. 24) of demonstrations and hands-on activities all focused on the math, science and fun of building.

Bass says, "The goal is, particularly for young people, to get them energized about making things. One of our overarching goals is for people to understand that there are very good, lucrative, not just manual labor-based jobs in the construction industry."

To give a real-life (though miniaturized) example, students from UALR are building a 6-foot-by-8-foot playhouse at the museum. The construction is in five phases: framing (last week), interior finish, wiring and roofing, exterior finish and painting. There will be chairs set up so people can sit and watch; construction videos will play on monitors. Students will be able to answer questions, and contractors, Home Depot professionals and UALR professors will mingle and serve as knowledgeable hosts.

The house is being built in such a way that it can be taken apart in pieces. After it's finished, it will be loaded up and taken to its final home on a school playground. Which school playground will be determined by a video contest, continuing through Feb. 17. Details are at facebook.com/MuseumofDiscovery.

Sitting and watching isn't necessarily what the Museum of Discovery is about, but the general public can't take part in building the playhouse. So, instead, there are hands-on, construction-related activities to entertain and educate visitors.

Guests can construct a building frame; learn about levers and wedges through hammering; learn to measure, saw and sand; explore waterproofing and soundproofing materials; use circuit blocks to learn about electricity; learn how gravity affects gutters; solve a PVC plumbing puzzle; and use tape and stencils to paint designs.

While the house's construction will progress, the activities will be the same every Saturday. No reservations are required and people are welcome to walk up and take part at any time. But since each can accommodate six to eight people at a time, there might be a little waiting involved.

They have been designed so that ages 4 and up can take part, tailored somewhat depending on the age of the child in question.

For instance, in the framing activity, "for older kids, they'll use real hammers, real nails and real boards. Little kids will use not-real hammers, Styrofoam and golf tees."

And the appeal should extend beyond elementary and middle school. The museum has an image as being for children.

"That's one misconception we try to address on a regular basis," Bass says. "We're not just for kids."

Actually, he says, "Anybody who likes hands-on stuff will enjoy it. This always happens with the Museum of Discovery. They come with their kids and they end up into the exhibits as much as their kids are."

Over the course of the program, the museum will use these activities and demonstrations to broaden minds, expose young people to some new skills and hopefully stimulate some interest that may come in very handy somewhere down the line.

"A lot of what we do here is just try to let kids get a clear line of sight between math and science and hands-on exploration and careers," he says.

"We're all about being interactive and hands-on. Hopefully it will be a fun time for all. We're continuing to try to build relationships with the construction industry. I think it's a logical one for us."

Weekend on 01/29/2015