OH WOW! Children’s center in downtown Youngstown plays many important roles

Organizers of the new state-of- the-art children’s center for science and technology chose a perfectly fitting name for the massive new addition to downtown Youngstown’s renaissance: OH WOW!

OH WOW! The Roger and Gloria Jones Center for Science and Technology has lived up to its lofty moniker, truly wowing thousands of children and adults who passed through its doors for its grand-opening weekend.

We congratulate and thank OH WOW!’s leaders, volunteers and benefactors for their stellar success. The smash opening of the children’s science center bodes well for providing new and exciting learning strategies for kids, for providing adults and educators a warehouse of educational opportunities and for contributing in a walloping way to downtown Youngstown’s rejuvenation.

MAKING LEARNING FUN

The 16,000-square-foot center occupies space that for more than six decades served as the McCrory department store until its closing in the late 1980s. After a massive historic-preservation renovation in 2004 and more than $1 million in additional renovations over the past year, OH WOW! is rip-roaring ready to delight visitors.

And delight — and educate — them it does. The center targets children age 14 and under but can be tailored for all age groups. All exhibits are colorful, interactive, engaging and have a STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics] focus.

The two dozen exhibits also share a fun trait: They motivate to educate. Take, for example:

The River of Knowledge, a long table of streaming water that demonstrates what happens to dirt and other elements as they are carried along by streams. Parents and adults would be wise to take cover, however, as children wildly splashing H20 are drawn to this exhibit like magnets.

Speaking of magnets, in one attractive exhibit, children can toss tambourines, Slinkies, spoons and wrenches at a magnetic board to demonstrate the power of the Earth’s magnetic pull.

At the Rhythm Machine, children can trigger congas, snare drums, cowbells, crash cymbals and more to illustrate how all sounds begin with various types of vibrations.

Meanwhile, on the center’s lower level (accessed by the original 1924 McCrory’s staircase), dozens of children were celebrating at a birthday party Saturday near other space that will be used as temporary and ever-changing traveling exhibitions.

IT’S NOT FOR KIDS ONLY

But the center does not leave all the fun and learning to children. OH WOW! offers professional-development opportunities to area educators, internship opportunities for high-school and college students, research opportunities for college faculty and rental facilities for family and corporate events.

Judging by its filled-to-the-max first weekend in business, OH WOW! promises to be a welcome and vibrant addition to the downtown landscape.

It has re-energized a core piece of real estate facing West Federal Street and Central Square. As such, it serves as a critical cog in the revitalization and diversification of the city’s central business district.

THANKS TO SUPPORTERS

Many generous supporters deserve the community’s thanks and congratulations for the success they have created.

First National Bank, owner of the former McCrory’s property, is a fervent supporter of OH WOW! It offered very favorable lease terms to the children’s center and has been actively engaged in the project’s development.

Roger and Gloria Jones, namesakes of OH WOW!, believed so much in the potential success of the project and its mission that they generously donated $250,000 toward its completion. Legions of other donors and volunteers too numerous to mention also deserve kudos for making OH WOW! a reality.

Those wishing to contribute to the center’s ongoing success can pledge any amount to the nonprofit center. Do so simply by calling 330-744-5914 or by visiting OHWOWKids.org.

Such community support represents a sound investment in the future of downtown Youngstown and, more importantly, a sound investment in the most important resource the Mahoning Valley has to offer — its children.