There's still time to register for a Discovery Center summer camp! Monday - Friday Half and full-day options available for ages 7-12.Join us for Mini Medical School, Animal Insides, Build it Better and Take it Apart camps. Learn more at http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/…/sum…/ages-7-12-summer

July 10, 2020

July 8, 2020

Enjoy some special 4th of July stories with Miss Debbie! For more storytimes, at-home science activities, art projects and more, go to http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/…/sum…/ages-7-12-summer#discoverycenterscience #fourthofjuly2020https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTFG_3oPbKM

July 4, 2020

What's the 4th of July without a few (safe) explosions?#discoverycenterscience #fourthofjuly2020https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V07asyeW4I

July 4, 2020

Discovery Center is reopening! July 8 is our official Welcome Back day and we can't wait to see you! Visits to the museum will be by advance reservation only and for 2-hour shifts to limit capacity. Learn more by watching this quick video or going to http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/reservations#Expecthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twpTTfYYEzQ

July 2, 2020

CLEAN, SAFE, PLAYFUL LEARNING – FACT SHEET

Following CDC, state and local guidelines, in addition to recommendations from the Association of Children’s Museums, Discovery Center has made adaptations the guest experience to provide a safe and playful place for learning. Below is a list of modifications to our health and safety practices.MODIFICATIONS TO MUSEUM AND STAFF POLICIESPlan for it. Advance online reservations are required of everyone, including members. Reduced capacity flow through timed tickets with pre-reserved entry and exit times will help maximize social distancing and enhance playful learning.Buy Online. Purchase tickets in advance. Reservations are for 2-hour shifts from 9:30 – 11:30 am; 12:30 – 2:30 pm and 3:00 – 5:00 pm and can be made at DiscoveryCenterMuseum.org/ReservationsStaying Safe and Healthy Together. Temperature checks and health screenings will occur for both staff and guests prior to entry to exhibit floor. Hand sanitizer will be available for use prior to entry as well. E-tickets will then be scanned at admission desk. It’s all contactless!Face Coverings. Staff and all guests ages 6 and older are required to wear face coverings. Face coverings for children ages 5 and younger are strongly encouraged, but not required. Exceptions can be made for people with medical conditions or disabilities that prevent them from safely wearing a face covering. Caregivers visiting with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorder and similar processing differences are encouraged to let our staff know. Face coverings are not required in the outdoor park when social distancing can be maintained.Visitor Flow: Staff will be monitoring visitor flow into and out of exhibit galleries and the outdoor park to assist with social distancing practices.Increased outdoor experiences. Increased outdoor experiences and demonstrations will allow for increased social distancing.SQUEAKY CLEAN IS ALWAYS IN!Increased cleaning. Discovery Center’s robust cleaning practices have leveled up. Guests will see staff continuously cleaning throughout their visit with CDC approved disinfectant. During times between play visits, staff will do deeper cleaning. Additional practices and protocols include:Reduced high-touch loose items throughout the museum including the Tot Spot Gallery and Grocery Store.Multiple sets of sanitized loose toys to replace used sets after each timed visit.Signage, as well as our staff, will encourage social distancing, handwashing, and other safe behaviors.New installations:Plexiglass sneeze guards at health screening and admission desks.Increased sanitizing stations.Hand sanitizer for all guests at entry.Floor markers and other health protocol related signage throughout museum.WHAT WE EXPECT OF GUESTSWe are committed to providing CLEAN, SAFE, PLAYFUL LEARNING at Discovery Center. We ask that guests follow these guidelines:Plan a different visit day if anyone in their family or group is not feeling well.If someone comes in contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19, refrain from visiting the museum for 14 days from date of exposure.Maintain proper social distancing from others not in a family or group.Wear a face covering.Wash hands or use sanitizer often.Refrain from bringing in food and eating in the building (water bottles are allowed).For a complete list of our health and safety practices, visit our website at DiscoveryCenterMuseum.orgVIRTUAL PLAYFUL LEARNING AT HOME - #DiscoveryCenterScienceFor guests wanting to connect with us only virtually for the time being, we offer free online learning resources on our website, social media platforms and YouTube channel.

July 2, 2020

Discovery Center Museum to Reopen July 8

Discovery Center announced today it will reopen its doors to the public on July 8, after temporarily closing for more than three months due to the COVID-19 public health crisis.  The museum has developed a comprehensive reopening plan that expands on almost 40 years of experience operating as a clean, safe, museum filled with playful learning experiences. Those principles, Clean - Safe – Playful Learning, will continue to guide operations as they welcome back guests. Discovery Center’s reopening plan follows state and local guidelines. Discovery Center is an active part of Rockford’s Clean Hands, Open Doors program, led by the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB). The museum has pledged to join with organizations and businesses across the Rockford region to help keep residents and visitors safe by adhering to guidelines regarding face coverings, clean hands, sanitization, social distance, wellness checks, training and protocols, and public health guidelines.  Discovery Center recognizes the need for a measured, gradual approach to safely resuming operations. The plan details the steps the museum has taken to ensure the health and safety of guests and staff, including modified operations, significantly reduced capacity, social distancing protocols, enhanced cleaning protocols, exhibit modifications, contactless interactions, face coverings, and best practices in hygiene and handwashing. The museum created a “Welcome Back” video explaining the changes as well as the upgrades to exhibits. https://youtu.be/twpTTfYYEzQ “We know that children need play now more than ever," said Executive Director Sarah Wolf. “Our staff is excited to reopen in a safe way so we can provide much needed respite for families in the Rockford Region. We’ve been hard at work enhancing exhibits and installing two new exhibits in our outdoor park. We can’t wait to see the smiling faces and hear the laughter of curious children in the museum once again!” NEW TEMPORARY HOURS are Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm with timed entries and exits from 9:30 am – 11:30; 12:30 – 2:30 pm; and 3:00 – 5:00 pm. Time between visits will be used for enhanced cleaning. Reservations can be made at http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/reservations#Reserve Discovery Center is offering onsite summer camps as well as free online learning resources for summer fun and brain exercise! Summer camps for children ages 3-6 will begin July 7 with modifications to policies and protocols. Camps for children ages 7-12 begin July 13. Details for summer camps can be found at http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/education/summer-camps/summer-camps-overview.  For families seeking virtual playful learning, Discovery Center’s free online resources can be found on the museum’s [whats-happening/playfullearning]Playful Learning at Home webpage, as well as on Facebook, Twitter, and their YouTube Channel. The Playful Learning at Home content contains videos of at-home science activities, art projects, storytimes and the adventures of Captain Discovery Center.

July 1, 2020

Your kids can make a simple terrarium and learn about the greenhouse effect. Here's how!https://climatekids.nasa.gov/mini-garden/

July 1, 2020

Who doesn't like a challenge from time to time? Take on the challenge set forth by Captain Discovery Center! For more challenges, episodes of Captain Discovery Center, at-home science projects and more, go to http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/whats-…/playfullearning#discoverycentersciencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evxuIl7fkwM

June 30, 2020

Even grownups could use a little help sometimes. Here's Sesame Street's self-care tips for overwhelmed parents!

June 29, 2020

Captain Discovery Center is at it again! Tune in to the latest episode of this science superhero's (mis)adventures! For more Captain Discovery Center fun, go to http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/whats-…/playfullearning#discoverycentersciencehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2SUdMrKGp0

June 27, 2020

Join Miss Debbie for storytime. She'll share stories about dinosaurs and farm animals!For more storytimes, at-home science activities, art projects and more go to http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/whats-…/playfullearninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKcDfHS6sxE

June 25, 2020

Learn how to make shadow art with toys or objects around the house at http://ow.ly/HVp750AfqlW Go to our website to download instructions at http://ow.ly/IEuG50AfqlD Share your creation using #discoverycenterscience

June 24, 2020

Your kiddos can do some simple chemistry to create Tie Dye Milk! For more at-home science activities, art projects, storytimes and more, go to http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/whats-…/playfullearninghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb_J_0_phSk

June 23, 2020

Keep your child engaged and entertained while school is out. These half or full-day camps for ages 7-12 fill up quickly, so register today!http://www.discoverycentermuseum.org/…/sum…/ages-7-12-summer

June 22, 2020