Arizona Science Center

05/13/09

Family Fun

by myszka69 at Citysearch

The Arizona Science Center (ASC) is a favorite cultural attraction among families—both tourist and Phoenician—for good reasons. The ASC, which opened its doors in 1982, is located in Heritage and Science Park in downtown Phoenix. What makes museums good or bad for families? Many criteria influence that but the most important fact is that ASC gives educational entertainment. It is especially profitable for kids, where they are learning while playing. The ASC is a great place for families because it is educational, easy to get to, affordable, and well organized.

The ASC gives families a great opportunity to be together and learn while playing. Being at home parents and kids are in their own rooms separately. In contrast in the ASC the whole family spends time together and learns. Sometimes parents want to give their kids something extra, rather than just TV, video games and play places like Peter Piper. Children do not use any imagination and logic while playing computer games or watching TV. On the other hand, the ASC teaches children about life and the world around them. For example, the exhibition called “Many Hands Make a Home” teaches the kids how the structure of a home looks from the architect to landscaping. For instance, there is a wall with two sides – children can see what is behind the wall and see cables which provide electricity and pipes. They can see with their own eyes how it looks.

The location of the ASC is easy to find. Most families who are looking for a place to go out do not want to travel so far. One hour driving with children is not so bad but a longer distance family trip is going to be a disaster. The atmosphere in the car is condensed and nervous, because kids become bored and start fussing. Parents loose control and start screaming at the children. Only few people will go to museums that are far away from home so the ASC has a perfect central location in downtown Phoenix. It is a ten minute drive from Highway 10, with connection to other main roads. It is also offers discount parking which is not far from the ASC.

The fair admission price of the ASC also makes the museum attractive for families. The price of the tickets must not be expensive for average visitors. Families with kids especially do not want high prices, because not everyone can afford to spend a hundred dollars for only a few hours. The ASC admission price for a family of four is forty- four dollars for six hours of entertainment .In comparison the price of a movies theater is forty dollars but only for one hour and a half of entertainment. The ASC gives families options in admission price. There are extras that cost more, such as the Planetarium and IMAX Theater. The ASC also provides the membership price which is a good saving for families who often visit the ASC.

The exhibition layout of ASC also makes the museum a well liked place for families. With traveling exhibitions and rotating permanent exhibitions the museum is always interesting and most families come back to the museum because every visit is not always the same thing. The exhibition organization of ASC is well managed especially when compared to The Children’s Museum, where exhibits are squeezed and cramped with large lines, with no place to stay for parents while waiting for the rest of the family. The ASC is perfect because it has plenty of spaces between exhibitions, lines do not exist and parents have a place to stay while waiting for their children. Uncrowded and well organized museums encourage families to stay longer because in the crowd children can get lost.

10/30/02

Good Stuff

by junokat at Citysearch

Titanic was great! Wonderful show and the rest of the Science Center was enlightening.

• Pros: Unique Shows
• Cons: Bad Parking

08/16/02

Great for families

by RichieG at Citysearch

AZ Science Center is a great activity for adults and kids. It is one of the best ways to spend a HOT day!