Science Factory Featured on ABC 27

The Lancaster Science Factory was recently featured on ABC 27's evening news.

Courtesy ABC 27 WHTM

When you think of science, perhaps you picture white coats, flasks and beakers in a lab. But in Lancaster, science happens in a factory. Young minds make it happen.

The Lancaster Science Factory is an 11,000 square foot converted factory that takes hands-on learning seriously.

Volunteers and staff classify many exhibits as: structural engineering, air power, fluid dynamics or Newton's Laws of Motion. Children, though, classify them as fun.

Nine-year-old stopped by on opening day, Tuesday, and told us, "As soon as I came in, I just went berserk. I just ran over to everything."

She went berserk over an acoustic display.

"All you have to do is hit certain notes," explained Maya.

Ten-year-old Reese Frybeigei was stacking magnets and remarked, "I'm surprised the particles haven't gone, like the particles haven't separated any of these yet."

Reese taught us quite a bit about magnetism.

"This is really a cool place to learn," Reese said. "It also has really cool activities you can do."

Kaitlyn Whipple, 9-years-old, and her friends checked out a lot of those cool activities. She worked on building up an exhibit to keep an earthquake from making it come tumbling down.

"Actually, somehow I figured out that science is actually fun now too and cool," she said while giggling.

That is precisely what staff and volunteers want.

Volunteer Coordinator Evanna Morris explained, "There's so many scientific concepts that they don't even probably realize they're learning as they're playing."

As the children play, volunteers, like retired science teacher Bill Chronister, played along.

"This is perfect. You just come in here, and try everything out, and get the wow factor," Bill remarked.

There are 40 exhibits at the Lancaster Science Factory. It is located on New Holland avenue in the city. Admission is $5 for children and $7 for adults.

Posted 6:57pm Tue January 22, 2008 - Lancaster

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