Cab E.
Yelp
We have been going here, probably, since 2007, if I had to guess. There was a dinosaurs-in-motion exhibit once many years ago that was absolutely mesmerizing. And there are many small exhibits that have remained steady throughout the span of time that have been very interesting, to both younger and older visitors. That's the forte of this underserved museum: Small hands-on experiences that are underwhelming when viewed from afar but become more interesting upon closer examination. Years ago we would have rated it four stars, but no longer.
The ambiance isn't very inspired, and it seems, as it has always seemed, like it was intended to become something more than it actually became. Kind of like it was cast aside and somewhat forgotten by the founders and principles. The exhibits, however small and handcrafted, are lost within the uninspiring interior space.
The Lego Mill City exhibit used to be more fascinating many years ago when the trains actually operated, but, sadly, they haven't worked for years, and never been maintained or repaired, indicative of a slide into irrelevance and decay. The exhibit is dusty and looks uncared for: How is that supposed to fire up anyone's desire to learn about it? If the powers-that-be don't care, if someone doesn't show that this is special enough to be cared for, proving that it should indeed be cared for, why would anyone else, especially kids and young people, care?
The current DNA exhibit is not interactive enough, and not captivating enough. In fact, it's flawed. For example, there is one small spot that is supposed to demonstrate color-blindness, but there is no way to step back and view the exhibit as it is crammed against the wall. Also, there is another exhibit that is supposed to reveal various spots along DNA that are indicators of various traits or conditions, but there is no way anyone would be able to see it to learn from it!
In another area, exhibits are just pushed against the brick wall so visitors cannot even access them if they were "inspired" to, which of course I doubt anyone would ever be. They took away the cool sound demonstration with the parabolic dishes, which was fun.
They waste so much space here, for example, with things like the marine biology (?) exhibit that's a cardboard and silver pained tunnel with archaic and non-functioning submarine instrumentation and a 20 gallon fish tank. Hardly anything about space exploration, math, or technology.
With a little TLC, art and science student input and creativity, some children's museum ethos, and - passion for science - this place would be much better off and there would be something to...SEE.