Discover Middle Georgia: Museum of Arts and Sciences

MACON, Georgia. (41NBC/WMGT) – Middle Georgia is home to many museums, but only one has been educating visitors on STEAM related subjects for over half a century.

The Museum of Arts and Sciences is an investment in education, created by none other than educators.

More than 60 years ago, two teachers started the museum after getting excited about another arts and sciences museum.

Today, the museum of arts and sciences not only features science and art subjects, but it also includes mathematics, technology and engineering.

Susan Mays, Education Curator, says the Museum of Arts and Sciences is “the only museum in Georgia that has all the things that [they] have in one location.”

The museum’s permanent exhibits include fine art, a discovery house which features hands-on activities for kids and adults, a planetarium and the science sphere – a collaborative project with NOAA that allows visitors to look at over 500 different things about earth and space.

Mays says this summer the museum will have “some kind of extra activity every day.”

On Tuesdays, a staff member will go into the mini-zoo to talk about the museum’s tamron monkeys. The other themed days of the week include “Scienterrific Tuesday,” “Bug Mania Wednesday,” “Cosmic Thursday,” “Lemur Fun Fact Friday,” and “Super Science Saturday.”

See what all the buzz is about for yourself in The World of Giant Insects. This traveling exhibit consists of giant, robotic insects with informational panels explaining how important bugs are to the world.

The museum also displays real, living bugs in its mini-zoo. Inside the mini-zoo, there are more than 50 small animals to see including reptiles like snakes, turtles and alligators.

The museum of arts and sciences is a popular stop for schools taking field trips, but it also appeals to people of all ages.

Andrew Britt is the Director of the Pre-K Program at Taylor County Upper Elementary School. Britt says he used to come to the museum when he was in high school. Now, Britt enjoys touring the museum while his students tag along.

In July, the Museum of Arts and Sciences will host “Reptile Rendezvous” which is a big family day. The fun-filled Saturday will include extra activities and demonstrations about neighboring reptiles. For more information, visit the museum’s website.