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Science Center goes Egyptian: New exhibit displays real artifacts, hands on projects centered around ancient civilization

BY NICOLE SACK
THE SOUTHERN

Saturday, December 24, 2005 6:35 AM CST

CARBONDALE - You don't have to look hard around Southern Illinois to come across something "Egyptian."

And to learn about the ancient civilization, one need not go farther than the Science Center.

From now until May, the Science Center in University Mall is hosting "Ancient Egypt in Little Egypt."

Pamela Madden, director of the Science Center, said the exhibit will give children and adults an opportunity to play Egyptian games, view real artifacts and get hands-on with the mummification process.

"Children and families enjoy coming to the Science Center already and we just try to give them something new and exciting to help them discover their world," Madden said.

She said the idea for the display emerged this past August among staff members. Madden said her museum's display will be a good preparation for the arrival of King Tut in May at the Field Museum in Chicago.

During Friday's grand opening of the Ancient Egypt in Little Egypt exhibit, the Rhodes family from Anna was busy putting together skeletons and playing in the river display that is meant to mimic the Nile.

The girls of the family, Kalyn, 7, and Gracie, 4, had been to the museum before but wanted to spend more time exploring what the science center had to offer. Mom and dad seemed pleased to make the 30-minute trip back to the Carbondale mall.

"This is a place the kids can come, have a good time and make a mess," said their mother, Emily Rhodes. "There is no where else like this (Museum) that I know of around here. It's a great place to come, especially when it is cold outside."

Gloria Radek, of Carbondale, is also a frequent visitor of the Science Center. Even her daughter and 2½-year-old grandson who reside in Chicago were impressed by the options for the children's learning.

Radek, who teaches at Su Casa Migrant Head Start center in Cobden, brings her students to the museum once a year and said she will continue to bring her grandson whenever he visits.

The cost of admission is $2.50. Carbondale Park District residents and children under the age of 3 are admitted for free.

For more information call the Science Center at (618) 529-5431

nicole.sack@thesouthern.com

(618) 529-5454 ext. 5816