Wister sixth and seventh grade GEAR UP students recently traveled to Oklahoma City to visit the Science Museum Oklahoma. The two-story museum consists of a wide-array of hands-on activities that allow students to have fun in an engaging way. Students roamed, ran, and played while learning about various science principles.

The museum, as well as the name, has evolved since its creation in 1958. The mission of Science Museum Oklahoma, formerly known as the Omniplex Science Museum, is to enrich people’s lives by revealing the wonder and relevance of science. Science Museum Oklahoma is enjoyed by children and students of all ages.

The students also experienced the Kirkpatrick Planetarium show which accurately displays the stars, moon and plants from any location on Earth. Elizabeth, the host of the planetarium show, explained the studies of the gravitational flow and the differences in each planet. Students learned about the different galaxies. Classroom lessons came to life during the visit as students had studied about the galaxies the week before the field trip.

Students learned about varies exhibits throughout the museum including the Beauty and Magnificence of Fungi exhibit. Science Museum Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma Natural Discovery Group developed the exhibit for the visitors to see how the world’s premier decomposition artistic work to release life’s essential building blocks and create a host of unique chemicals, foods, and medicines.

“Educational tours are an important part of Eastern’s GEAR UP program,” said GEAR UP Education Coordinator Tara Martin.

The field trip was sponsored by Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP. Participating schools take two field trips each academic year—one to tour a college or university and one that is cultural/educational in nature. Eastern recently received a $17 million federal GEAR UP grant and will serve over 3,000 students in 39 area schools for seven years.