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Curious Kids' Discovery Zone

DISCOVER A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF EXCITING EXHIBIT FUN IN THE CURIOUS KIDS' DISCOVERY ZONE!

Geared for ages 3-12 years, Discovery Zone is located just steps away from Curious Kids' Museum, in the Silver Beach Center (along with the Silver Beach Carousel) at 333 Broad St., St. Joseph, MI.

EXPLORE THE INNER WORKINGS OF TOYS WITH "TOYS—THE INSIDE STORY" NOW AT DISCOVERY ZONE!

Ever wonder what's inside an Etch-A-Sketch? Look inside a Dr. Duck toy to see how a cam lets him walk, operate a Hungry Hippo, see the inner workings of Pudgey the Piglet, and discover the inner workings of the Hokey Pokey. Peek inside some common toys and determine how they work with "Toys- The Inside Story," a new exhibit coming in the Lou and Warren Gast Traveling Exhibit Gallery at the Discovery Zone. Explore pulleys, circuits, cams, linkages and gears, and see what's inside some of the most common toys. Find out for yourself as you experiment with many different examples of mechanical and electrical gadgets that make toys go!

"Toys- The Inside Story" takes kids inside simple/complex machines through six different hands-on, educational stations. The Pulley Wall teaches what a pulley is and how it behaves. Take apart an Etch-A-Sketch to see the magic behind the silver screen, which shows how the pulleys and wires guide the drawing tip. The Circuit Wall lets kids be "current" with the basics of circuits, switches and electrical boards. Take the Circuit Board Challenge and light up all the circuits at once! On the Cam Wall, see how rotating cams make a frog jump, an alligator bite or firefly flash. Discover how linkages work by connecting moving toy parts. Use simple mechanisms to operate Hungry Hippo and turn cranks on the inner workings of Pudgey the Piglet. On the Gear Wall, gear up and mesh with moving parts of popular toys. Use different size gears to spin carousels and ballerinas as fast as possible. In the What's Inside panel, see right through Mr. Machine, a classic 1960s toy made of clear plastic, and discover what makes the Jack-in-the-Box jump.

Curious Kids' Discovery Zone Exhibits

	Lighthouse Kids’ Climbing Tower Be the Lighthouse Keeper and climb the wave steps to the top of this 25 foot high Tower. Imagine you are saving ships on Lake Michigan from crashing ashore during storms. Gaze out the ship’s window to Lake Michigan…Look down on all the water exhibits and visitors. Children age 4 must climb with an adult. Shoes must be worn at all times. Challenge yourself and climb to the roof!
	Lake Michigan Water Table Just like the real great lake outside the door; sail your handmade boat through the lake currents; use the wind jets to sail; raise & lower the water levels with locks and dams; navigate through a storm by the water mushroom; see the real lake depths-the bathymetry; look for the 20 shipwrecks just offshore; and wonder about the Chicora mural-the shipwreck that has never been found. 10 hands-on activities.
	Water Power Tower Try out the Water Power in 15 fun activities. Hand pump water to fill the great tower like children in rural villages around the world; wonder about the water tornado; build-a-pipe to channel water like engineers; power your squirt gun at the targets; play with water conservation in your home; turn the great Archimedes Screw to power your boats; and much more.
	Kids’ Climbing Wall The challenge is to cross this climbing wall and make it from left to right or vice versa. Don’t forget to look at the little blind animals tucked in the cracks in the wall! Simulates cave climbing walls under the St. Joseph River Watershed.
	Wave Table Wind power makes waves on the great lakes, and you can too by pumping up the waves to crash over the lighthouse. Watch carefully to observe just how a wave becomes so powerful.
	Children’s Clean Water Bio Sand Filter Imagine not having clean water to drink and getting sick from the dirty, polluted water because that’s all you have to drink. The Bio-Sand Filter Program, created by Rotarians around the world, makes clean water and good health happen for thousands of families in Dominican Republic, Haiti, Africa and South America. Meet Marisol who would not be alive today without the clean water provided by Bio-Sand Filters. Push the red button to watch nature’s sand and rock filters get rid of bad bacteria. Hear the story of 3 Rotary Clubs in SW Michigan who are saving kids.
	Recollections Wall size giant art/science dance movement exhibit. Dance, wave, just move any way you wish and watch the bright colorful patterns mimic your motions. Engages all ages, you won’t leave it!
	Pin Wall Hours of creative fun happen with this giant pin wall. Kids and adults make faces, hands and nature scenes with over 60,000 red plastic pins and much laughter.
	Whisper Dishes Can you whisper across 60 feet into your friend’s ear? Go into the Outdoor Science Gallery under the Green Roof and use Sound Waves to hear whispers clearly across the entire gallery. Partners and exhibit builders of Whisper Dishes—Renaissance Kids and Exquisite Homes, Inc.