WonderWorks (museum) facts for kids
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| Established | March 4, 1998 |
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| Collection size | Interactive science exhibits |
| Founder | John Morgan |
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WonderWorks is a super fun science museum with six locations across the United States. What makes it really special is that its buildings look like they landed upside down!
This amazing place combines learning with fun, which is often called "edutainment." Inside, you'll find many hands-on exhibits. These let you explore different science topics and experience them for yourself.
Contents
What is WonderWorks?
Each WonderWorks location is packed with interactive exhibits. These exhibits teach you about space, physics, and math in exciting ways. Some locations also have a dinner magic show and a cool 4D XD motion theater.
The unique design of each building makes it look like a regular building was picked up by a huge storm and dropped upside down. This cool idea came from architect Terry O. Nichoson for the first WonderWorks in Orlando. He helped design all the other locations too.
Five out of the six locations offer laser tag and a tall ropes course. The Myrtle Beach location even has an outdoor ropes course and a zip-line! The Branson location is the only one without a ropes course. Most WonderWorks are open every day of the year. It usually takes about 3 to 4 hours to explore everything.
Where Can You Find WonderWorks?
WonderWorks has locations in several states:
- Orlando, Florida (opened March 3, 1998)
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (opened 2006)
- Panama City Beach, Florida (opened 2009)
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (inside the Broadway at the Beach mall, opened 2011)
- Syracuse, New York (inside Destiny USA, opened 2012)
- Branson, Missouri (opened 2020)
The outside of a WonderWorks museum is an upside-down building. Even the yard and decorations look upside down, and this theme continues inside!
The WonderWorks Story
The story of WonderWorks began with a group of brilliant scientists. They were led by a character named Professor Wonder. Their secret lab was on a faraway island in the Bermuda Triangle. They were trying to create a man-made tornado.
But the experiment went wrong! The tornado got out of control and ripped the lab from the ground. It carried the lab thousands of miles away. Finally, it landed upside down right where you see the WonderWorks buildings today!
What's Underneath?
Each WonderWorks building sits on top of another, more normal-looking building.
- Orlando, Florida: A Warehouse
- Pigeon Forge, Tennessee: A Theater
- Panama City Beach, Florida: A Surf Shack
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: A Crab Shack
- Syracuse, New York: The 3rd Floor of Destiny USA
- Branson, Missouri: A Log Cabin
Explore the WonderZones
Inside WonderWorks, you'll find different areas called "WonderZones." Each zone has unique activities.
Natural Disasters Zone
In this zone, you can experience the power of nature:
- Tesla Coil: Watch 100,000 volts of electricity spark!
- Earthquake Cafe: Feel what a 5.3 magnitude earthquake is like.
- Hurricane Shack: Stand in winds blowing at 74 miles per hour.
- How Cold Is It?: Put your hands in icy 28°F water.
- Trivia Wall: Test your knowledge about weather and disasters.
Physical Challenge Zone
This zone lets you test your body and mind:
- Bed of Nails: Lie down on 3,500 nails! Don't worry, it's safe.
- Wonder Wall: Make 3D images of your body on a giant pin wall.
- Bubble Lab: Create bubbles big enough to fit inside!
- Pulley Power: Pull yourself up using a rope system.
- Virtual Sports: Try out different athletic skills in a virtual world.
Light and Sound Zone
Discover how light and sound work:
- Speed of Light: Test how fast your reflexes are.
- Recollections: Watch your shadow multiply into different colors and patterns on a wall.
- Strike a Pose: Create cool poses and see them captured.
- Giant Piano: Jump from key to key to play music on a huge floor piano.
Space Discovery Zone
Learn all about space and astronauts:
- Space Suit: See a life-sized copy of an EVA suit that astronauts wear in space.
- Mercury Capsule: Climb inside a copy of a launched space capsule.
- Land the Shuttle: Try to control a Space Shuttle as it lands.
- Astronaut Training Challenge: Experience the feeling of weightlessness, just like astronauts in space.
- Wonder Coaster: Design your own roller coaster and then ride it!
Imagination Lab Zone
Get creative and use your imagination:
- Wonder Brite: Arrange colored pegs to make shapes and patterns.
- Alien Stomper: Play a game where you send aliens back to space.
- Fun Express: Create digital art.
- Gear Works: Arrange gears so their teeth connect and spin.
- The Adventures of Professor Wonder: Explore stories about Professor Wonder.
- Forensic Science Exhibition: Learn what a forensic scientist does.
Far Out Art Gallery
This gallery features amazing illusion artwork. You can explore the paintings and try to find hidden objects within them.
Other Fun Attractions
Besides the WonderZones, many WonderWorks locations offer even more fun:
- Indoor Ropes Course
- 4D XD Motion Theater
- WonderWorks Laser Tag
- Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show
