2020 is bringing some fun changes to our favorite science center!

Winter hours (it really is still winter no matter what the thermometer says) have kicked in and are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays and Noon- 5 pm on Sundays. Sno-Port: The Science and Wonder of Snowflakes, will stay up until January 30th. Fridays will be especially entertaining with a series of ‘Funtastic Fridays’ scheduled for January 10, 17 and 24. On those days there will be extended hours (9 am- 8 pm) and a special $10 combo ticket rate admission from 3 pm- 8 pm. Tickets for the Fridays may be purchased at Sci-Port or online. Remember that member admission to Funtastic   (Member admission to Funtastic Fridays is free.) IMAX tickets and all other admission discounts are excluded from this special promotion. Pizza will be available for purchase.

Another change is that Sci-Port and the Shreve Memorial Library are developing a Children’s Library inside Sci-Port. The library, which will open Jan. 10, will be located in the Children’s Power of Play (PoP) Museum The PoP library will feature interactive learning tablets,  a reading area and a rotating collection of picture and children’s books provided by Shreve Memorial Library’s Mobile Library. It will also have a Parent Resource Center designed to provide parents with information about children’s abilities at different developmental stages as well as general community resources. “Shreve Memorial Library’s partnership with the Power of Play Children’s Museum and Sci-Port is a natural,” stated John Tuggle, Shreve Memorial Library Executive Director. “All parties want to help children and promote early childhood literacy and lifelong learning, two of the library’s main service priorities. The Children’s Library at PoP is a wonderful opportunity to introduce children and their parents to the library and reading.”

Sci-Port Executive Director Dianne Clark agreed. “The ability to read is a fundamental learning skill and food for the developing brain,” said Clark. “We are grateful to the Shreve Memorial Library system for partnering with us to promote the development of strong reading skills at an early age.” Children can visit PoP during Sci-Port’s regular operating hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday – Saturday and Noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. General admission of $12 (members get in free) to Sci-Port Discovery Center includes access to the Power of Play (PoP) Children’s Museum and the Children’s Library at PoP. Patrons of Shreve Memorial Library may check out a Sci-Port pass at any library branch to cover the cost of admission (subject to availability).