Flint Hills Discovery Center facts for kids
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| Established | April 14, 2012 |
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| Location | 315 S. 3rd St., Manhattan, Kansas 66502 |
| Type | Heritage center, Science center |
The Flint Hills Discovery Center is a special place in Manhattan, Kansas. It's like a museum that teaches you about the history and science of the amazing Flint Hills region. This center has cool exhibits that show you what the Flint Hills are all about.
You can explore the history of the area and learn how to protect it. There's also a theater, a fun interactive playground for kids, and a gallery for special temporary exhibits. The Discovery Center also offers educational programs for all ages. It's a great spot for special events too!
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Exploring the Flint Hills: Exhibits
The Flint Hills Discovery Center has many exhibits. They help you learn about the plants, animals, history, and culture of the Flint Hills in Kansas and Oklahoma. Sometimes, they also have special exhibits that travel from other places. The main exhibits are set up in nine different areas. One of these is an exciting theater experience.
Main Floor Adventures
- Shaping Winds and Water - This part shows how the land was formed long ago. You'll learn how the grasslands we see today came to be.
- Blowing Winds in a Tallgrass Prairie - Discover the many different plants and animals that live in the tallgrass prairie. See how they all work together in this special environment.
- The Underground Forest - This exhibit dives deep into the soil. You'll learn about all the tiny living things that make the soil healthy. It shows how soil is made and kept strong.
- Winds of the Past - Travel back in time to learn about the first people who lived in North America. See how they interacted with the Flint Hills region over many years.
- Where the Air is so Pure - This section tells the story of European settlers coming to the area. It also explains how Native American groups moved and how the land was used more for cattle ranching.
- Voices of the Flint Hills - Watch videos of people who live in the area today. They share their thoughts on important topics like water use, wind power, and controlled burning. They also talk about what inspires them in the region.
The Tallgrass Prairie: A Movie Experience
The Horizon Ranch Flint Hills Immersive Experience Theater is a special movie theater. It shows a short film called Tallgrass Prairie: Tides of Time. This film highlights the ecology, history, and culture of the Flint Hills. The movie even has cool special effects! These effects make you feel like you are really there, experiencing the prairie.
Second Floor Fun: Prairie Playscape
- Prairie Playscape - This is a super fun, interactive playground for kids and their parents! It was updated in 2022, so it's fresh and exciting. The Playscape has many hands-on exhibits. They are divided into three fun areas: exploring the land, working the land, and sharing the land.
Tallgrass Gallery: Special Shows
- The Tallgrass Gallery is a large space, about 2,000 square feet. It hosts many different exhibits. Some exhibits travel from other places, and some are created right there at the Discovery Center.
Prairie Garden Terrace and Trail: Outdoor Exploration
- This is an outdoor area where you can see unique building designs and beautiful landscapes. It also highlights important topics about the Flint Hills region.
Fun Events All Year Long
The Discovery Center hosts several exciting events every year.
- Kansas Day - A special celebration of Kansas, held every year on January 29.
- Flint Hills Festival - A festival that focuses on the history, culture, and resources of the Flint Hills.
- National Day of the Cowboy - A day to celebrate cowboys, held on the fourth Saturday of July.
- Community Day - A free day for everyone to visit, usually held in August.
- Breakfast with Santa - A fun holiday event celebrated on the first two Saturdays in December.
- Family New Year's Eve - A family-friendly way to celebrate New Year's Eve on December 31.
