Tag Archives: museum

G.WIZ  opened to the public in 1991 with only 1,000 square feet and just ten hands-on exhibits.  This science and technology museum now boasts a $3.5 million 33,000 sq. ft. facility located downtown on Sarasota’s bay front.  A great place for a day of your vacation or an excursion with your children or grandchildren, the facility also offers educational programs and activities for kids throughout the year.

G.WIZ says it’s mission is: To be the gateway for lifelong adventures in science.
I visited during the 1st Annual Maker Faire – a festival “celebrating innovation, arts, engineering, science projects and the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset”.  Judging by the animation of the children at the museum that day, I’d say GWIZ is on the right track for their mission.  Interest in science and technology is clearly encouraged here.

There are numerous interactive exhibits, and it’s great to see kids involved with the level of enthusiasm usually reserved for theme parks and video games!  Some of the more popular things to do include:

• Tech Zone: Experiments with screws, levers, pulleys, gears and hydraulics.
• ExploraZone: Learn about electricity, magnetism, sound and light. Float a ball in mid-air at the Bernoulli Blower. Make a bolt of lightning, at the ever popular Plasma Ball.
• Mindball – Relax and move matter with your mind.
• Habitat: Meet some of Florida’s native inhabitants who live in Sutton’s Garden.