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Children thrive as center turns 5
Video
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
When asked about his favorite things to see and do at a popular children’s science and technology center, two things prevented 2-year-old Spencer Soldan from responding directly.
One was obviously his age, but the other was less apparent: He likely enjoyed so many aspects of his experience that any given one was as interesting as the others.
“It’s fun here,” an excited Spencer said simply.
Lots of fun was to be had for the youngster and numerous other children and adults who came to this weekend’s fifth Birthday Bash at OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, 11 W. Federal St., downtown.
Hundreds of adults and children enjoyed a variety of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that were the main attractions of the two-day gathering, which kicked off Saturday, to celebrate the facility’s fifth anniversary, noted Suzanne Barbati, executive director.
Experiencing many of the science, technology, engineering and math center’s offerings is nothing new for Spencer because he comes a few times a month, thanks to his family’s membership, said his mother, Rebecca Soldan of Youngstown.
“He’s learning while he’s playing,” said Rebecca, who also came with Spencer’s grandmother, Sandi Muir of North Jackson.
Several children such as 9-year-old Adiana Arroyo of Boardman gathered around a table Sunday afternoon to learn more about how flexible, woven materials such as yarn and other natural and artificial fibers can be used to make textiles. As a result, Adiana took home a small purse she had made from polyester.
“We always have a good time every time we come here,” said her father, Deric, adding that the family tries to visit at least one weekend each month.
Cutting the material with a conventional sewing machine and conducting the festivities was Angelo LaMarca, OH WOW’s facilities and exhibitions director.
At another table, youngsters had an opportunity to better understand how circuits allow electricity to flow. They discovered that a power source, a resistor and a conductor – generally made from aluminum or copper – are the essential ingredients to let electricity reach its destination.
Children at another hands-on area were excited to experiment with dry ice, which is a solid form of carbon dioxide with chemical properties to allow it to quickly transition from a solid to a gas state without going through the liquid phase. Also, dry ice melts at minus 70 degrees.
Those who weren’t shy about getting on their hands and knees and who brought with them a strong sense of adventure had lots of good times in a fort that was a creative combination of clamps, curtains, tablecloths, rope, twine and plastic pipes.
Among the youngsters who crawled through and explored the cavelike dwelling was Madison Laird, 3, of Warren, who came with her parents, Dave and Julianne Laird.
“She learns so much here,” Julianna said of her daughter. “She’s also having more fun with the new things, too.”
Later this year, the children’s center plans to install four new exhibits focused on ways to prevent hearing loss, the value and importance of leg and hand prosthetics, and technology people can use to compete in sports and other endeavors, noted executive director Barbati.
“Technology can help you do things you want to do, regardless of your ability or disability,” she said.
The facility is finishing its second strategic plan, a component of which is how to fully use its available space. Part of that effort is WOW! on Wheels, a resource toolkit and part outreach program that contains lesson plans and age-appropriate activities for teachers and traditional classrooms, Barbati continued, noting that the kits also are related to exhibits at the center.
The third strategic plan, set to begin next January, will include input from members, donors, investors, the board of directors and community supporters to determine OH WOW!’s direction over the next three to five years, she added.