Science Spectrum Museum, Lubbock, TX

This museum is a non-profit facility dedicated to educating people in science. The Science Spectrum Museum is located at 2579 S. Loop 289, Lubbock, TX 79423. The museum boasts more than two hundred and fifty hands on exhibits that are interactive. There is also a giant dome that houses the OMNI Theater and they host daily live science shows for all ages. The museum is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

General admission to the museum is seven dollars and fifty cents for adults, eight dollars for the OMNI and thirteen dollars for a combination ticket. Children are six dollars for the museum, six dollars and fifty cents for the OMNI and ten dollars for the combination, seniors age sixty and up are the same price as the children's tickets, and museum members are free, six dollars for the OMNI and six dollars for the combination ticket. The museum offers discounts at the museum and theater for groups.

Permanent exhibits at the Science Spectrum Museum include: Kidspace which is being renovated and should be finished in the spring of 2010. Kidspace lets kids explore water fountains, paddle wheels, raceways, dump towers, spinning galleries, slides and a lock and dam. This last exhibit allows kids to control the flow of water. The Water Works is a hands on feature that teaches children about the nature of water and physical science principles. This exhibit allows families with children five and under a chance to use their sensory organs with boats that float and color wheels. They have set up a weather desk where kids can become an on air weather person. A special Tot Come and Go program is held every Wednesday and Friday from 10:30 am to 11:30 am and 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Flight is the next exhibit that is permanent. Some of the things visitors will learn about here include the Bernoulli principle and the science of how flying defies gravity. There are model airplanes and real tiles from the Space Shuttle. The best feature of this area though is the trainer that teaches guests about yaw, pitch, and roll so that the airplane can stay in the air.

Sports enthusiasts will enjoy seeing the science behind their favorite sport. Biology, physics and chemistry are all employed in this area. Visitors can play virtual volleyball and go on a hang glider in the Virtual Sports Room.

Texas Alive! The Brazos River Journey is the final permanent exhibit that takes visitors on a trip down the Brazos River in Texas. The aquariums and terrariums hold snapping turtles, rattlesnakes and several species of fish like the gar and largemouth bass. They have implemented interactive computer exhibits and video stations that let guests have a new experience on the river. The museum holds live animal shows daily at the Bait Shop Dock.

Some of the movies that have been shown in the OMNI Theater are the Wild Ocean, Van Gogh and Animalopolis. Times vary so check with the theater.