'Science Mill' sneak peek opens eyes
Alexandria Randolph/The Highlander
A student shows Charles and Priscilla Goeken of Johnson City how to generate rain in an interactive, topographical exhibit at the Hill Country Science Mill Sneak Peek on Saturday, Nov. 15.
by Alexandria Randolph
The Hill Country Science Mill in Johnson City opened its doors Saturday evening, Nov. 15, for a sneak peek of state-of-the-art exhibits that will soon be available to students in the region and from far beyond.
The facility's endeavor begins and focuses on the development of young minds, said Bonnie Baskin, founder. “We talk about the relevancy of science in these kids’ lives – everything they do and play with involves STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” she said. “The workforce in the 21st century is a skilled workforce. If they don’t have backgrounds in STEM, many doors would be closed to them.”
Students who visit the mill can create their own avatar to guide them through each exhibit, select certain exhibits as their favorite, and then access more information about those exhibits from home with a computer with web access, encouraging them to continue the journey of learning.
Guests at the sneak peek event became the first adults to play with the variety of Science Mill exhibits, including state-of-the-art touch screen table displaying real medical CT scans, an exhibit on wind science, a brain activity game that challenges players to “out-relax” their opponent, and a responsive exhibit on topography that shows the effects of changing land formations and rainfall.
For the full story, see Tuesday's Highlander.
