The Discovery Center’s newest exhibit, “Magnificent Magnets,” opens to the public Saturday, April 17 and will be on display through Saturday, July 3 at the facility, located at N.E. Sanchez Ave. The exhibit is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The new exhibit encourages kids to explore and tinker with the science of magnetism though a fun comic book-themed exhibit. Participants will learn how magnets are used both in everyday life and in cutting-edge experimentation.
Kids will build magnetic sculptures, learn how magnets help us in real life and much more. The exhibit is sponsored by Marion Rotary Duck Derby, Ocala Electric Utilities, Waste Pro and the Discovery Center Foundation.
Discovery Center staff members are implementing increased cleaning protocols for the facility. All guests must wear a face covering while inside buildings and adhere to a physical distance of six feet apart. Hands-on manipulatives will be sanitized with appropriate cleaners during periods of high traffic.
Use of UV light will be implemented to sanitize the planetarium and UV sanitization has been installed in Discovery Center air handlers. Items that are not easily sanitized have been removed or replaced. Hand sanitizer stations are available in all areas of the facility.
General admission to the Discovery Center is $8 per person or $28 for a family of four. Annual memberships also are available for individuals and families.
StarLab Planetarium shows are held Saturdays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and tickets are $30 per 10-person group. Guests are encouraged to call ahead to book a reservation time for the planetarium. An alternative Planetarium-like show, NASA Solar System Exploration, is also available for a $3 add-on to the price of general admission.
For more information, call (352) 401-3900 or visit www.mydiscoverycenter.org.