Be the Astronaut Exhibit is Fun for Kids of All Ages

Prepare for lift off and discover what space travel is all about when the Be the Astronaut exhibit opens Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the IMAG History & Science Center. Experience the wonders of space and plan a space mission and learn about the technology and skills required to be an astronaut, to fly spaceships, pilot landers, and drive rovers, in this exciting new exhibit.

“It is our hope that families and children of all ages will come here and let their imaginations soar,” said Matt Johnson, Executive Director of the IMAG. “This exhibit includes several dramatic, interactive stations that allow our visitors to learn basic concepts about our solar system, space travel, gravity, and more.”

Designed by NASA engineers, the exhibit aims to put visitors in the pilot’s seat of a spaceship while providing a birds-eye view of real astronaut pretraining with the use of touch screen stations, interactive simulator pods built to look like space capsules, and other space travel exhibits and activities.

“This exhibit is designed to not only educate IMAG visitors on the challenges and reality of space travel,” said Shelby Baucom, Deputy Director of the IMAG, “but hopefully inspire a new crop of budding scientists to consider viable career paths in science and technology-related fields that will help shape our nation’s future.”

During this exhibit, visitors will be invited to interact with:

• Navigation Interactive Stations – where visitors can engage in mission planning and learn about orbits, Newton’s laws, gravity, and other principles of flight and space;
• Science Interactive Stations – where visitors can explore the equipment and technology needed to accomplish space travel missions and learn about rockets, space suits, space crafts, and gear;
• Flying Capsules – where visitors can launch rockets and land rovers, depending on their given mission requirements, in a dramatic big-screen experience with pilot and co-pilot seating and controls;
• Space Suit and Space Gear Exhibits; and more.

The Be the Astronaut exhibit will be on display at IMAG from September 21 to January 12, 2020. Entry into the exhibit is included with general museum admission.

The IMAG (pronounced īˈmag) History & Science Center is a family-friendly destination featuring interactive exhibits, activities, aquariums, and history displays for all ages including a 3D theater and virtual reality experience. The IMAG features many attractions including Science on a Sphere, an interactive exhibit that illustrates the sciences of our earth; Google Earth Wall that allows people to virtually climb the world’s tallest mountains, dive into the deepest canyons, visit exciting cities, learn about exotic animals, and more; and Shaping SWFL Watersheds, an interactive, augmented reality sandbox generating live topographical maps and fluid dynamics in real time. Bringing the IMAG mission to life, we use the lenses of history and science to help people explore and understand the rich culture and habitat of Southwest Florida through science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM education) as well as history, humanities, and the arts. A visit to the IMAG History & Science Center nurtures intellectual curiosity and innovation, discovery and fun, which is why we say: “Discover Your Fun… at the IMAG!”

The museum is located at 2000 Cranford Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33916. For more information, call 239-243-0043 or visit www.the IMAG.org. IMAG hours are Tuesday – Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM; Sunday 12 PM to 5 PM; and closed on Monday.