Build, Play and Learn at the County Museum

A special Family Fun Day, “Build, Play, Learn,” at the County Museum on Saturday, Oct. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. will celebrate the opening of a new exhibit, “Welcome to Our World.” All activities are included with paid museum admission; lunch will be available for purchase. “We are installing new exhibits on the ramps that connect our exhibit halls,” said Leonard Hernandez, the museum’s interim director. “Like the ramps, the exhibits themselves will provide connections—in this case, interpretive connections between our galleries to help visitors orient themselves within the museum. The ‘Welcome to Our World’ ramps will provide thematic introductions to our exhibits and help visitors discover the wonderful cultural and natural history of our region.” New exhibits will open along two of the museum’s four ramps. One set of displays will explore animals in their natural habitats and introduce visitors to the displays in the Mammal Hall. The second ramp exhibits, sponsored in part by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, invite visitors to think about humans living in the natural world and provide an introduction to the Anthropology Hall. Displays along the two additional ramps are slated to open in the spring of 2016. “Build, Play, Learn” is a special day for families that will focus on STEM learning: hands-on activities in science, technology, engineering, and math. Visitors will build with giant blocks, make arrowheads, walk on water with bubble rollers, encounter live animals, participate in a variety of crafts, and enjoy a balloon artist. Spectacular Science shows are also scheduled: “Crazy About Chemistry” at 12:30 p.m., “Bubble-ology” at 1:30 p.m., and “It’s Not Magic, It’s Science” at 2:30 p.m. Build, Play, Learn and the new Welcome Ramps, along with the County Museum’s other exciting events and exhibits, reflect the effort by the Board of Supervisors to achieve the Countywide Vision by celebrating arts, culture, and education in the county, creating quality of life for residents and visitors. “Welcome to Our World” is sponsored in part by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the San Bernardino County Museum Association. The San Bernardino County Museum is at 2024 Orange Tree Lane, at the California Street exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (child aged 5 to 12). Children under 5 and Museum Association members are admitted free. Parking is free. For more information, visit www.sbcountymuseum.org. The museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.