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The Launch Pad: Museum Shop
The Science Museum of Western Virginia announces the opening of the Launch Pad, its new gift shop and activity center located on the first floor of Center in the Square.
The Launch Pad features toys, science kits, and gifts for imaginative science play, and many items are priced under $5. “We understand the need for affordable fun for families” said Nancy McCrickard, the Museum’s executive director, “and we look for ways to get science out into the community. That’s why we called it the ‘Launch Pad’: by providing the opportunity for people to take science home with them, we ‘launch’ science learning into the community.”
In addition, the Launch Pad is now home to the Rock Sluice, previously located in the Museum’s fourth floor galleries. Participants ‘pan’ for gem stones; each $4 bag contains numerous gem stones, and may include quartz, amethyst, calcite, tourmaline, and even shark teeth. An identification chart helps curious explorers identify their finds.
The upper level of the Launch Pad provides additional activity space for the Science Museum. “We are anxious for Center in the Square to begin its renovations—we have run out of space!” says McCrickard. The upper level provides a very special location for summer camp for preschoolers, enabling the Museum to provide exciting summer camps for children in preschool through eighth grade. The upper level will also be the site for birthday parties held on Saturdays, especially Rock Sluice parties.
The Launch Pad is open Tuesday-Saturday 11am-4pm. Members (anytime) and Museum visitors (on the day of their visit) receive a 10% discount on gift shop merchandise. The Rock Sluice and other activities are not discounted.
540/342-5772
For great gift ideas, click here.