Science / Tech Museums

Glasgow Science Centre

Glasgow, Scotland

http://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org

ILLUSTRATION: GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE

ADMISSION: The museum has three main venues, the Science Mall, which is the primary museum; an IMAX theater; and the Glasgow Tower, a rotating observation cabin and galleries. Admission to one venue: £6.95 (about US $12.50); children under 16, £4.95 (about $9); admission to any two venues: £9.95 (about $18); children under 16, £7.95 (about $14)

ENGINEERING JUDGE: Ted Timar, business development manager, Cedara Software Corp., Mississauga, Ont., Canada

JUNIOR JURORS: Rebecca, age 12; and Jessica, age 8

Our judge says that the Glasgow Science Centre "is one of the most modern and interactive science museums [he has] seen." Exhibits include medical imaging, computer technology, mechanics, and digital image manipulation, and a visit is "definitely" worth the price of admission. The junior jury particularly enjoyed the climbing wall, as well as morphing one photograph into another. Asked for an opinion of the exhibits, junior juror Rebecca said that they were "good and educational," while junior juror Jessica was "too busy enjoying herself to answer the question."

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

San Jose, Calif.

http://www.cdm.org

PHOTO: CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF SAN JOSE

ADMISSION: US $7; children under 1, free; seniors (over 60), $6

ENGINEERING JUDGES: Sue Kayton, self-employed, Palo Alto, Calif.; and Michael Barclay, attorney, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Menlo Park, Calif.

JUNIOR JURORS: Daniel, age 18; and Rachel, age 15

This Silicon Valley museum has "tons of hands-on things for kids to see and do" that help them to learn fundamentals of science while having fun. Our judges always take out-of-town guests for a visit here and particularly enjoy the "kid-powered" Rube Goldberg machine that moves tennis balls; "kids love it," too. The museum can get quite crowded at peak visiting hours, and the lines for food can be long. It's a good idea to bring a picnic lunch. Though both junior jurors are now a little old for the Children's Discovery Museum, it was their favorite museum from the time they were 4 until they were 10 and 12 years old, respectively. The junior jurors said, "Wow! Can I move in here, please, Mom?" The adults said, "Wow! Why didn't they have a place like this when I was a kid?"

Submarine Force Museum

Groton, Conn.

http://www.submarinemuseum.org

PHOTO: MIKE KUREC/U.S. NAVY SUBMARINE FORCE MUSEUM

ADMISSION: Free

ENGINEERING JUDGES: Roland Trope, partner, Trope and Schramm LLP, in New York City; and Cynthia Trope, assistant curator, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, Smithsonian Institution, in New York City

JUNIOR JUROR: Winston, age 7

Adjacent to a submarine base, this museum has many exciting hands-on exhibits, and children are especially encouraged to touch and interact. The exhibits include the first nuclear-powered submarine, the U.S.S. Nautilus, which visitors can visit in its entirety. There are also scale models of examples from every U.S. Navy submarine class and re-creations of a Sturgeon class sub and a World War II submarine attack center. A library holds an extensive collection of materials about every U.S. submarine ever built. The junior juror rates this museum as "the best."