The first time I accompanied my 2-year-old niece and her family to Arizona Science Center, I expected to be a little bored. I’d be the childless aunt, I figured, enthusiastically saying things like “Wow!” and “Good job, sweetie!” from the periphery as toddler and parents moved from one display to the next.
Boy, was I wrong. The museum’s 300 hands-on exhibits were just as engaging for me as they were for the scores of children there that day. Nearly three hours into our visit, I realized that I hadn’t lost track of time that way — learning through sheer play — in ages.
But don’t take my word for it. Find out for yourself at Friday’s free Adults Night Out. The once-a-month evenings give grown-ups a chance to explore the four-story facility without a bunch of kids hogging all the coolest exhibits.
The night will feature a free lecture on “New Concepts in Fire Investigation.” Certified fire and explosion investigator Pat Andler will demonstrate the use of an accellerant-detecting dog.
A planetarium show on “Arizona Skies” and an IMAX film will also be available for a fee.
Adults Night Out is 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday. The fire lecture is at 7 p.m., and the IMAX film and planetarium presentation are at 8:15 p.m.
Admission is free for adults. (Please leave children at home, no matter how cute they are. Seriously. They won’t be allowed in.)
Arizona Science Center is at 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix. For information, call (602) 716-2000 or visit www.azscience.org.
• Contact writer: (480) 898-6818 or azajac@evtrib.com
