Museum of Scientific Discovery
PO Box 934
Strawberry Sq., 3rd & Walnut Sts.
Harrisburg, PA 17108

This museum has been reported to us as having closed. If we get additional information we'll post it here. Meanwhile, please visit one of the other great attractions nearby.

Experience the latest in science and technology first hand at the Museum of Scientific Discovery(MSD). And experience is the key word here. More than 100 interactive exhibits amaze, entertain, and educate visitors of all ages as they play in and explore the many worlds of science.

Just a few examples of the exhibit areas and their features include:

• Aviation: a 1942 Link Pilot Trainer, Nimbus III Glider, Quickie One Aircraft, and more.
• Biology: Build a Fish, Giant Cockroaches, Iris in Action, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches, Reptiles, more.
• Bridges: Aluminum alloy bridge deck, Arches, Bridge Materials, Brooklyn Bridge Cables, Weight Factor, more.
• Communications: Digitizer, Fiber Optics, Television from Space, and more.
• Earth & Space: Gravity Well, Moon Model, Orbit.
• Electricity & Magnetism: Electric Ladder, Lines of Force, The Motor Effect, Watts Up.
• Hidden Kingdoms: Understanding AIDS, A Big Microbe, and more.
• Light: Bent Out of Shape, Fluorescing Minerals, Infinity Mirror, Magic Faces, Sturn Hologram, and more.
• Math: Chaotic Orbits, Liquid Paraboloid, Probability and Randomness, What is a Section, and more.
• Pennsylvania Science: features the Susquehanna Mural.
• Physics: Bernoulli Blower, Gravity Tower, Wave Machine, and more.
• Sound: Endless Echoes, Light Music, See Your Voice, Whisper Dish.
• Water that Works: City Water System, Hydrologic Cycle.

Many other topics are covered, each with its own set of interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and games. The exhibits range in complexity from simple, everyday materials used to demonstrate scientific phenomena to modern instruments and equipment such as lasers and computers. All are fascinating.

A new exhibit, The Cave, is a replica of a limestone cave designed by the US Geological Survey. It includes all of the popular formations as well as cave drawings and is the centerpiece of a growing Geological Center at the Museum. For youngsters. Totspot features hands-on exhibits for ages 2 - 6. including the Climasaurus Slide, the Construction Zone (building materials), a Fiber Optic Waterfall, Soft Blocks, Whisper Tubes, Four Dinosaurs, and more.The Virtual Arena is an incredible virtual reality presentation where visitors see a video and live demonstrations of virtual reality. Then they can enter that world and shoot hoop with an NBA star, search for sunken treasure, fly over the city on a magic skateboard, or more, depending on the current presentation.

Want to learn about the Internet? MSD is the place to explore Cyberspace, with an internet connection provider by a local provider. Visitors can see what all the hoop-la is about. And it is pretty cool!

A state-of-the-art SL-30 projector and sound system are the heart of MSD's Astronomy Center. Here visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas of the cosmos projected on the Center's 18-foot diameter dome. Live NASA images are featured when available.A regular schedule of seasonal and topical Sky Shows keeps visitors coming back time and again. Starlab, a portable planetarium, can be rented by groups for presentations at sites of their choosing.MSD's activities do not end when the last exhibit is explored. Throughout the year a busy calendar of family activities gives practically limitless opportunities to learn and have fun. Festivals, family workshops, special shows, contests, lectures and more can be enjoyed. Call for a current calendar.

School Groups are lucky to have this outstanding resource. There is something exciting here for all students in grades K through 12. First, a simple group visit makes all of MSD's exhibits available, including the popular Virtual Arena. Check out Discovery Bar Labs for grades 6 - 12. Up to 15 students at a time can perform an exciting lab experiment, using the latest equipment to determine the speed of light, the speed of sound, or the acceleration of gravity. Each session lasts 20 minutes.Other Discovery Lab Programs include Bernoulli (grades 1 - 6): each student makes and takes a mini-Bernoulli Blower; Bridges (4 - 8): includes construction of a model Warren truss bridge; It All Adds Up (K - 6): is interactive math at its best; Optic Topics (K - 6): explores many aspects of light, and students make and take their own rainbow glasses. Others are available, and each Discovery Lab takes an hour. Minimum of 20 students.

Many other programs are available. Local schools should definitely call for info on MSD's Weather Station Program -- have a real weather station installed at your school!.Camp-Ins, Overnights, and other activities can be enjoyed by School and other Groups.MSD also delivers a large number of great in-school presentations and workshops at schools, including Starlab and Energy Trailer, a mobile lab that illustrates alternative energy.