Sci- Quest, Huntsville, AL

An enterprising group of people gathered together to start Sci-Quest in Huntsville, Alabama. This massive undertaking serves the Tennessee Valley, North Alabama, and South Central Tennessee. Sci- Quest is primarily a research park in which science education and workforce development can be learned. Many of the exhibits are dedicated to biological research, aerospace engineering, space and missile defense, and more. Sci-Quest was actually set up as a museum or learning center for children.

The site was erected with the funds from volunteers in 1989. It took until 1999 for the museum or center to be completed though because of the over 100 permanent and interactive exhibits on display. Since its opening 500,000 visitors have graced this place. The mission is simple: to offer children a learning place to discover creativity, interactivity, and integrity. The exhibits are all lined up in seven themed areas for fun and games.

Sci- Quest admission is $9 for adults, $8.50 for seniors, and $8 for children. There are memberships and a $1 military discount. The museum is open Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm, and Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Major holiday closures do exist. One of the first stops for visitors to Sci-Quest is the Immersive Theatre. This theater offers CineMuse and Virtual Vortex as their current shows. The movies and fun will change throughout the years. The theater is part of the permanent exhibits and theater experience. Some of the non- permanent exhibits can be an extra charge.

While a list of exhibits will not be provided here, it is possible to learn about the different offerings they have for children. Throughout the year Sci-Quest offers programs and camps to their children. It is unlike a children's museum in this fashion. There are camps like career quest, sprouting scientists, spring break camps, and morning and afternoon camps. Each of these camps will focus on a specific thing, like the sprouting scientists camps are held each month and each month there is a different theme.

For example in January they offered smell, sight, hearing, and touch for a Senses theme. February is all about transformations such as weather and the effects of cold or hot weather on the earth as well as chemical reactions. Schools are able to take field trips to the center and parks for learning. For instance, a school that wants to have a field trip may do so with a science class to learn about physical science with interactive experiments or it might be for an astronomy lesson.

Students that are home schooled will find Sci-Quest to be a great place to visit. Home school programs exist for students at home to do experiments, but more to be able to interact with other students like they would in a school setting. Outreach programs, parties, and rentals are all available at Sci-Quest. At this place there is something for everyone to enjoy, even the younger generations. Babies have their own little play land to experience learning tools.