Columbia, S.C. - The first exciting weeks of summer have passed and mothers across the state are starting to hear those dreaded words, “Mom, there’s nothing to do!” Open seven days a week during the summer, the South Carolina State Museum has the answer to those “boredom blues” with fun new additions, activities and recent acquisitions designed to entertain and educate visitors of all ages.
Seven giant wooden toys recently have been added to the science gallery’s collection of entertaining and educational hands-on exhibits. “These toys prove that fun and education go together,” said Director of Science and Outreach Tom Falvey. “Children absorb scientific principles while playing with these oversized versions of classic toys.”
Flip a smiling wooden acrobat and learn about gravity, torque and momentum through his gymnastic maneuvers. Push a lever and a large pig teeters across a rope demonstrating the physics principle known as the center of mass. Turn a wheel on a seven-foot Jacob’s Ladder to see how gravity and a double-acting hinge create the toy’s cascading motion. Potential energy, kinetic energy, friction and perpetual motion are all demonstrated through the simple mechanisms of toys that have delighted children through the ages.
Along with scientific wonders, the Museum has a new natural wonder on display as well. A dazzling 118-pound cluster of amethyst crystals, the state gemstone, recently was added to the Prehistoric South Carolina gallery on the second floor. Discovered at Diamond Hill Mines in Antreville, S.C., the largest crystal in the cluster is an impressive 14 inches long!
After touring the Museum’s galleries, guests can take a break while they watch one of the free summer movies offered daily at 2 p.m. in the auditorium. Expanding on the blockbuster exhibit Powers of Nature, selections this summer include “Hurricane Katrina: The Storm that Drowned a City,” “Hunt for the Supertwister,” “Lightning” and “Hurricane.”
The Museum also is hosting several special events for children and adults this summer. Fables, fairy tales and other stories come to life at JulyFest on July 25 as the members of the S.C. Storytelling Network practice their craft for fascinated audiences. Enjoy a special showing of “Night at the Museum 2: Battle for the Smithsonian” followed by a flashlight tour of the Museum’s exhibits on Aug. 7. See, buy or trade toy soldiers and military miniatures from various historical periods at the Southeastern Toy Soldier Show on Aug. 8.
For more information on these and other activities at the State Museum call
(803) 898-4921 or visit www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org.
A stunning, 118-pound cluster of amethyst crystals is now on display at the State Museum. The Museum has expanded its summer offerings with giant wooden science toys, daily movies, new acquisitions and special events.