The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences	While in Charleston, West Virginia, Sarah, her mom and I went to the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, a huge cultural center with a theatre, a planetarium and the Avampato Discovery Museum.
We spent the afternoon exploring the Avampato Discovery Museum, a hands-on,interactive science museum. We started in the ElectricSky Planetarium where we saw an animated film about the legend of Orion on their huge domeed screen. Then the planetarium filled with stars and a guide led us on a tour of the night sky to notable constellations and stars. It was awe-inspiring.	The Electric Sky Planetarium
	After the planetarium, we began to explore the science museum. We started in the Gizmo Factory. Here, there were lots of hands-on things to explore: magnets, sound effects, pulleys, mirrors, lasers, TV cameras, water and more. We were like kids playing and having fun.
Playing with Magnets	Pulling Myself with Pulleys
Our next stop was Milton Gardner's Earth City, an old-fashioned roadside attraction that explored the earth sciences and natural forces that helped to shape West Virginia.
	Our final stop in the science center was Health Royale. Several Price is Right-style games quizzed visitors on their knowledge of health and the human body. The exhibit culminated with an elaborate Hollywood Squares-inspired game show featuring audio-animatronic body parts and organs.
The Avampato Discovery Museum made learning fun, no matter what age you were. It stimulated our imaginations, tested our knowledge, and tickled our fancies. We had a wonderful time.
Click here to visit the Avampato Discovery Museum Website