Popularity prompts museum to extend opening of 'Discovery Room' activity area

August 9, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The “Discovery Room,” a family-friendly activity area at the Florida Museum of Natural History, will remain open through Jan. 1, 2012, due to popular demand.

The museum, located on the University of Florida campus, also is considering converting the Discovery Room into a permanent exhibit open year-round.

“We hope to keep the Discovery Room open because of its popularity with our family visitors and to allow us to examine the effectiveness of different components for the larger, permanent exhibit we are in the initial stages of planning,” said Betty Dunckel, director of informal science education at the Florida Museum.

Admission is free and the room is open from 10 a.m.. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
The family-friendly room allows visitors to discover natural history through hands-on activities that foster critical thinking.

“Our visitors enjoy spending time in the Discovery Room,” said Florida Museum education assistant Amanda Erickson. “It offers a great opportunity for families to learn about Florida’s diverse ecosystems, environments and wildlife together.”

For more information, visit www.flmnh.ufl.edu/education/discovery.htm or call 352-846-2000.