By Lou Phelps

Just a short drive up to Atlanta can make for a great family weekend. From now through Sept. 12, The Children’s Museum of Atlanta has a program that encourages children to join the mission to discover the many ways they can save energy and protect the planet. 

They will learn about what energy is, where it comes from, and the countless ways that they can conserve energy every day.  Children will be inspired to become environmental stewards during Conservation Quest at Imagine It!

“Conservation Quest will help children realize that they can do something every day that will reduce their energy use and help preserve the environment,” according to Jane Turner, the museum executive director.  “Children can continue the quest to be green at home by practicing conservation as a family.” There are a number of hands on exploration activities including:

• Energy Smarts – Computer interactive helps children make green energy choices with electricity, appliances, heating and cooling, recycling, transportation, and more

• How Do You Stack Up? – Stack blocks to represent the amount of electricity various appliances use and learn how to reduce electricity use

• Watt’s the Use? – Use watt meters to compare electricity use by different electronics and appliances
• Bright Ideas – Turn a crank to compare the amount of energy required to light up an incandescent light bulb, a CFL, and a LED

• Switch and Save – Explore good, better, and best choices when it comes to water, food, batteries, and shopping bags

• Sort the Waste – Sort items into their proper containers: Plastics, Glass, Paper, Metals, Garbage, Compost, Donations, and Other.

And, they can investigate where food comes from, the environmental benefits of plants, and how far food travels to get to us with interesting exhibits including:

• Food Miles – Find out how far food travels to get to us and that transporting food uses energy and can pollute the planet

• Food Is Fuel – Learn that food is energy for people

• Murals – Seek and find positive examples of energy use and conservation

You can also “Eat a Georgia Rainbow” every Sunday at 11:00 AM as you search for fruits and vegetables that are in season and grown in Georgia.  Then, listen to a story and make a tasty take-home treat!

“The exhibit’s activity stations, combined with the Museum’s programming, will provide a rich learning experience that will make children excited about finding their own ways to conserve energy at home,” said Karen Kelly, Museum director of exhibits and education.

Going green will become more entertaining than ever with our interactive programming led by the Imaginators, a troupe of professional actors and educators.  The Imaginators will also perform an original mini-musical titled “Operation Green!”  Jamie’s family uses so much energy that they’ve created an Energy Vampire.  Children become Junior Agents and help Agent Green reduce the power of the Energy Vampire by switching out light blubs, recycling trash, and exploring renewable energy sources.  Children learn that everyone has to do their part to use less energy and keep our planet green.  Playwright: Marc Farley, Imaginator.  Director: DeWayne Morgan, Imaginator.  Musical Director: Jerry G. White, Imaginator.  Music by: Abe White.  Families will also enjoy other special programming such as Recycle Relay and Go Green and Read story time.

The Museum hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 AM-4:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.  Admission is $12.50 plus tax for adults and children ages 2 and above; children under 2 are free.  Imagine It! is located at 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW.  The Museum is closed for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.  For more information or to support Imagine It!, You can visit t their website at www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org or call 404.659.KIDS [5437.

 

Special Events

All-American Fourth of July Celebration for Children: Sunday, July 4
Celebrate Independence Day with some all-American family-style fun!

Grand Ole’ Flag: Sunday, July 4 at 2:00 PM
Learn all about the stars and stripes and what makes our flag such a special symbol of freedom.  Then, kids can make their own flag and join in a marching parade around the Museum!

Batter Up!: Sunday, July 4 at 3:00 PM
Enjoy America’s favorite pastime as the Imaginators act out the famous poem “Casey at the Bat” with YOU on home plate!  Gather around the baseball diamond and enjoy this classic story of a beloved baseball player who steps up to bat for his team to try and save the day.

 

Ongoing Events

Eat a Georgia Rainbow: Every Sunday at 11:00 a.m.
Join the Imaginators in Fundamentally Food as you search for fruits and vegetables that are in season and grown in Georgia.  Then, listen to a story and make a tasty take-home treat!
 
Target Free Second Tuesdays: Second Tuesday of Every Month – January through December 2010 (July 13 from 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.)
Special Summer Target Free Second Tuesday Hours (Jun-Jul) 1:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
Regular Target Free Second Tuesday Hours (Jan-May & Aug-Dec) 1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Through a sponsorship by Target, admission is free for all visitors who come during these special hours.  Free tickets will be available at the Museum starting at 1:00 p.m. during each Target Free Second Tuesday, and the Museum will close at 7:00 p.m. (or 8:00 p.m. in June & July).  The free tickets are issued on a first come first served basis as Museum capacity permits.  Once the Museum reaches capacity, tickets are only issued as capacity in the Museum becomes available.  Reservations are not accepted.  http://www.childrensmuseumatlanta.org/visitors/target_tuesday_faqs

Read It!: Every Sunday at 3:00 p.m. (Special Read It! Programs: Fourth of July on July 4)
Children are encouraged to delve into the world of books during Read It!  This half-hour story time, sponsored by McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP, is devoted to fostering literacy and encouraging young children to embrace the magic of books.  Children join a special guest or an Imaginator as a colorful, creative storyteller extraordinaire who arrives with an armful of stories.