On June 24 at 11 a.m., KidSenses Children’s Interactive Museum will open its newest exhibit at a brief ribbon cutting ceremony.

The museum takes “hands-on learning” to a whole new level in the new HealthWise laboratory exhibit. Thanks to the generous support of the RHI Legacy Foundation, Timken Foundation and Fountain Electric, museum visitors will be able to conduct real science experiments, and see for themselves some of the constituent nutrients in foods common to their diets.

Children age five and up will especially enjoy HealthWise, as they put on a lab coat, rubber gloves and protective goggles and sit at one of the four lab tables arrayed around the laboratory. Touch screen computers will lead them through the necessary procedures to successfully conduct their experiments.

They will be able to see how much iron is in their breakfast cereal; determine which type of fruit juice is the most acidic; discover which substance contains the most starch; and see the actual cell structures of onion skin using a video microscope. In the future, KidSenses staff will introduce new nutrition-themed experiments on a rotating schedule.

The museum’s executive director, Willard Whitson, said: “At KidSenses, children learn through open-ended play. Immersive play environments house exhibits that stimulate curiosity and empower children to pursue their own interests. A primary goal of the overall experience is to help children understand their world, often through social interaction and role-playing. For example, the recently opened PetSenses exhibit, helps children learn how to care for and maintain the health of their pets, by pretending to be a veterinarian or pet owner. Similarly, in HealthWise, children will pretend to be scientists, conducting scientific experiments which will help them discover what’s actually in foods they eat. So when mom says ‘eat this; it’s good for you,’ these young scientists will be able to see for themselves why they should!”

“The HealthWise Exhibit is a great opportunity for children to discover the science of nutrition, and how it relates to their overall wellbeing. Children will use lab equipment and specialized materials to do exciting hands-on science! We are confident that children who experience HealthWise will gain a better understanding of nutrition,” said Joseph Knight, the museum’s deputy director.

HealthWise will be open to museum visitors daily during selected hours, starting June 24. Visit www.kidsenses.org to view the hours of operation. HealthWise is free with paid general admission to the museum.

KidSenses Children’s Museum is located at 172 N. Main Street, Rutherfordton. Museum hours are Monday-Thursday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Friday 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Closed on Sunday.

Thanks to a generous grant from Duke Energy, admission is free the first Friday of every month. For more information on field trips, birthday parties, annual memberships, “Science on the Move” outreach programs, and more, call 828-286-2120, visit www.kidsenses.org, or “Like” KidSenses on Facebook.

– article submitted
by Marsha Monahan