A Full Day Of Post-Thanksgiving Activities

BRIDGEPORT — The day after Thanksgiving, November 26, will be filled with creative learning and fun for families visiting The Discovery Museum, at 4450 Park Avenue in Bridgeport.

Visitors can make their own basic telescope during a “Bright Ideas Workshop” from noon to 1 pm. Participants will find out what happens when light gets wet, learn how to turn the world upside down with a pin, and make a pinhole viewer and telescope to take home.

Children ages 8 to can take part as a parent/child team; age 11 to adult can work on their own. The cost is $14, and reservations are required.

Meanwhile, the art galleries are featuring two photography exhibits: “100 Years of Photography,” an exhibit of signature images by internationally-known photographers; and “Earth from Space,” with dramatic photographs of the earth taken by astronauts and satellites.

The lower level science galleries are hosting a traveling exhibit called “VISION,” which highlights accomplishments in eye disease research and offers hands-on demonstrations of how the eye and brain work together to produce sight.

Two planetarium shows will be offered: Myths, Superstition, and Reality is for general audiences at 11 am and 3:30 pm, and Wonderful Sky will be screened especially for children under 7 at 1 pm.

Adults and children ten and older can try their hand at Challenger mini-missions, with a computer-simulated trip to Mars at 1:45 and 2:45 pm. Finally, throughout the day, Hoop Smarts virtual reality basketball will challenge visitors of all ages to match their skills against an NBA professional.

The Discovery Museum is the largest hands-on art and science museum between New York and Boston. The museum is one mile south of Exit 47 off the Merritt Parkway.

Hours are 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 5 pm Sunday. Admission, which includes the exhibits, planetarium show, and one game of Hoop Smarts, is $7 for adults; $5.50 for children age 3-18, students with ID, and senior citizens; and free for children under 3. Challenger mini-missions cost an additional $3, Hoop Smarts games are $1 each, and the Bright Ideas Workshop is $14, including admission.

For more information, call the museum at 203/372-3521. Reservations for the workshop can be made at extension 133.