Homesick: Rochester Museum and Science Center

    As a kid, I loved science, everything about it from being curious of how things work, to experiments, and to learning new things. So whenever I was told that we were going to the science museum, I was excited. I even had a couple birthdays there. But with this being called Homesick, I'm gonna talk about the one that I knew best. The Rochester Museum and Science Center!

     The Rochester Museum and Science Center located in Rochester New York opened in 1912 as the Rochester Municipal Museum. Over the years it changed focus to science and expanded on local history. Then in 1968 the name changed into what it is today. In that same year the Strasenburgh Planetarium opened next to the museum.

     The contents of the museum are mostly normal fare. Dioramas of local wildlife, fossils, and so on. Other exhibits include that of local history, touring exhibits and a kid's learning area which does have a local focus. Most of the permanent exhibits outside of the kids area are themed to one or two main themes. Nature, history, and culture. More so the history and culture of the area as Rochester was a hub for the Underground Railroad.

The kids area, known as the Adventure Zone, has many different interactive activities from a rock wall, controlling an underwater drone in a scale portion of Lake Ontario, two motion simulator rides, and much more. 

     As a kid I have many fond memories of this place. Mostly from field trips and from my time in Cub Scouts. I remember the Adventure Zone the most as there was more to do there. I loved piloting a small sub drone along a 'shipwreck' and see not only what was in the tank, but see what the drone saw too. The climbing areas as well were fun. However my favorite part were the motion simulator rides, one specifically. The simulation I loved was one about Lake Ontario where you explore the depths of the lake. You learn facts about the lake with underwater hijinks from the crew. For what it was and is, it has grown on me as something more sentimental than legit entertaining. 

     The rest of the museum was more of your basic museum with some interactive elements. I liked seeing the fossils and some of the historical attractions. Outside of that though from my time there it wasn't much. Since then though they have built up from it adding more interactive attractions and more engaging shows as well as an expansion. As time marches on, so does this little museum. A place I think of a bit here and there especially when homesick.