WonderWorks, the science focused, indoor amusement park for the mind, recently unveiled new exhibits at its locations in Branson, Missouri, and Panama City Beach, Florida. STEAM ahead in Branson WonderWorks Branson added to its existing STEM exhibits a new exhibit area called “Full STEAM Ahead.” In addition to science, technology, engineering and math, the “a” in steam is for art. The new exhibit area will focus on STEAM careers, beginning with becoming an astronaut. “Full STEAM Ahead” includes videos, demonstrations, interactives and robotic arms. Experiencing the new exhibit is included in t ..read more

The hands-on aerospace education center Flight Works Alabama was developed through a partnership between the multinational European aerospace corporation Airbus and the State of Alabama. Located in Mobile, Flight Works Alabama centers around the Airbus Foundation’s Discovery Space Exhibit Gallery, which includes over 40 hands-on and interactive experiences. “Visitors can see and feel the forces that affect the flight of an aircraft, take-off and land a virtual Airbus A320 at the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley, install a simulated payload on the International Space Station and much more,” said Kay ..read more

BOSTON — This November and December, The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, a floating museum dedicated to accurately reliving and representing a key time in history (1773–1775), is offering several new virtual programs. These programs allow people to learn about and experience the Boston Tea Party, “the single most important event leading up to the American Revolution,” from the comfort and safety of their own home or the classroom (whether at home, in-person or a hybrid model of learning). A new virtual ‘Tea Talks’ series has been launched highlighting various stories of the Boston Tea Par ..read more

Grand Rapids, Michigan’s second-largest city, is located on the western side of the state’s lower peninsula.“Grand Rapids has a variety of educational attractions to include in an educational tour,” said Mary Manier, director of sales at Experience Grand Rapids. “We have even assisted student performance groups with scheduling performances downtown at Rosa Parks Circle or the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park amphitheater. Our Experience Grand Rapids staff is available to assist with itinerary planning.” John Ball Zoo continues to add new exhibits and experiences that appeal to gues ..read more

 Students can explore four floors of exhibits focused on the culture and history of mobs, crime and law enforcement at The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement. Located in Las Vegas, the museum has been named one of TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 U.S. Museums,” one of National Geographic’s “Top 10 Things to do in Las Vegas,” and USA Today’s “Best Museum in Nevada” — as well as a number of other accolades since its opening in 2012. “Museum programs are hands-on, experiential and inquiry-based,” said Claire White, educational programs manager at the museum. “Whether ..read more

It was only in late July that the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum (USOPM) opened to the public, yet the new Colorado Springs attraction has already drawn much attention in the last two months. “The museum is one of the most accessible and interactive museums in the world, designed so all guests experience the museum the same way,” said Tommy Schield, director of marketing and communications at USOPM. “Team USA athletes were involved and consulted throughout the project to achieve our goal of authentic experience and inclusive design.” This includes activities and programming for students ..read more

Thousands of students come to the Nation’s Capital every year to immerse themselves in the history of the United States. Located directly across the Potomac River from Washington, DC, Fairfax County perfectly positions student groups to experience the monuments and memorials, but also the living history in Virginia. Even after the sun sets and museums close, students can keep the fun going with a plethora of after-hours activities, ranging from laser tag to murder mystery dinners. Fairfax County checks off all the boxes for tour operators as well; group-friendly dining options are abundant in ..read more

Young visitors to museums and cultural attractions love interactive exhibits. They have been around for a while, but in recent years augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have kicked the engagement level up several notches and enlivened attractions as never before. VR is a totally immersive experience where users don headware (think Oculus Rift headset) to enter a simulated three-dimensional environment to interact with a totally new world — a virtual world. AR blends the virtual world and the real world by adding digital images or data to objects in the real world (think face filter ..read more

SEA LIFE at Mall of America aquarium in Bloomington, Minnesota, gives students of all ages a breathtaking adventure through the ocean world. From giant sharks to rescued sea turtles, guests come face to fin with thousands of sea creatures in the world-famous 300-foot-long tunnel experience. The 1.3-million-gallon aquarium allows students to touch a sea star in the Pacific Northwest Rockpool and get close to cockroaches and piranha in Brave the Rainforest. “We recommend teachers and students enjoy the entire aquarium and discover new fun facts about creatures and conservation,” said John Sullwo ..read more

KEY LARGO, Fl., — Bayside Inn Key Largo invites students to expand their virtual schooling environment at the property by promoting educational opportunities for every day of the school week and recommended field trips to area attractions. Bayside has partnered with a number of local area attractions that offer hands-on learning experiences. These partners include Island Dolphin Care, Dolphins Cove & Dolphins Plus, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, Dagney Johnson K.L. Hammock Botanical Park, Theatre of the Sea, Dolphin Research Center, Marathon Turtle Hos ..read more