Exhibits
The story...The Johnsons have been away on a weeklong vacation to Hawaii. The next door neighbor noticed a broken window one morning and went over to the house to check it out. When she looked in the window, she noticed the pet goldfish has been spilled out of its bowl and had died. All that remains of the bicycle that was chained outside the house is the front tire. Some things have been moved and removed from inside the house. These were sure signs someone had been in the house.
The Investigation... Scrutinize evidence left behind by the perpetrator as you look for clues outside the house, in the yard, and in the room where the crime was committed. Record what you see in your own Detective Notebook. You will witness what the suspects have to say in video interviews. After perusing the scene; you will be challenged by the crime lab activities as you work to decide which of the five prime suspects did the crime!
So Who Dunnit?
You will have to visit to Museum between January 25 and May 17 to
find out!
Hands On Science
Explore light and color, watch sound make waves, direct a laser, write with light, create lightening, and more. Investigate scientific principles while having fun with dozens of hands on activity stations.
Body Works
See Mr. Bones, the Junior Museum's skeleton, ride a bike. Put on a lab coat and prepare to "operate". See how fast the heart pumps blood for different animals. Learn about the human body, how to stay healthy, and how the brain communicates with the body's organs.
Imagine Me
"Fishing in St. Andrews Bay" lets kids fish from a boat or dockside while learning about their catch and other inhabitants of our local waters. Take your fresh catch to the fish market and then visit the grocery store for more imaginitive fun.
Nature Play
Explore the realistic Econfina Creek Diorama, identify the local animals that can be found right here in Bay County, discover the sea bird nesting area, and even put on your own puppet show.
Toddler Town
Toddlers are encouraged to explore the world around them with age appropriate activities and toys. Hang out in the reading treehouse or roll around in the pool of balls. It's a cozy room for young children to enjoy with their parents.
Lobby Train
Pioneer Homestead
Authentic buildings from the late 1800's, including a log cabin, barn, smokehouse and gristmill. Each contain furnishings and tools to teach children and adults about Northwest Florida's pioneer history. A continuous playing audio recording about what life was like for children on the farm plays in each building!
Pioneer buildings were donated from area counties in the early 1980's: Cabin and furnishings (Holmes County, 1893); Barn and Smokehouse with new displays (Jackson County, circa 1900); and Gristmill (Bay County, circa 1900). The cabin and barn, which are part of the Junior Museum’s pioneer homestead, were completely refurbished using state grant funds in 1994-1995.
Nature Trail
Be very quiet as you walk this 2,000 ft. combination of boardwalks over wetlands and a path through the uplands pine hammock because you might just see some wild animals! Adults will enjoy the peace and natural beauty found on the trail built in 1972 and reconstructed in 1998, winds through a hardwood swamp on the museum’s 12-acre property. The trail provides numerous teaching opportunities concerning local environments. A 1920's dumpsite is located on the trail and is utilized by local archaeologists to teach area students archaeological procedures and techniques.
