Indiana Jones' New Adventure in OC
You may remember that most recently, the exhibit to grace the face of the Discovery Science Center was the Star Wars exhibit that ran about six months. Now, we get another dose of Lucasfilm Ltd. with the new Indiana Jones™ and the Adventure of Archaeology.
I love living close to the Discovery Science Center because it's easy for me to take my kids whenever there is a new exhibit. However, since the DSC started making the giant cube that faces the 5 Freeway their giant billboard sign, I tend to get the requests to go from my kids a lot more frequently.
So once the exhibit opened I had to take my kids, otherwise I would've been asked to go until I caved anyway.
Not that I needed much coaxing, as I'm a huge fan of both franchises.
Upon entering the parking lot and seeing a figure of Indiana Jones atop an army-style truck, I knew I had chosen wisely.
Presented by National Geographic, the Indy exhibit is a separate admission but it takes up quite a significant part of the first level. In fact, I believe it takes up more floor space than the Star Wars exhibit did.
Unlike the Star Wars exhibit though, which primarily focused on sci-fi and featured many props, models and proposed possible science behind the films, this new exhibit dives into actual archaeology and infuses it with the lore from the Indy films. The exhibit is also much more interactive, in keeping with what the Discovery Science Center does best - it makes learning fun.
To my surprise, even my five-year-old daughter was completely involved and participating.
Upon entering the exhibit you're given a handheld multimedia guide (with headphones) that allows you to interact with many videos, puzzles, and exhibit content in fun and creative ways.
And yes, there are props, set designs, models and concept art from the films to gawk at as well.
But parents of young ones be warned. As you go through the exhibit you go through the films in chronological order. If you remember a certain Ark of the Covenant and what it did to the Nazi soldiers in the first film - "Raiders of the Lost Ark" - you might want to avert their little eyes as that is one intense scene. So use your discretion and be on the lookout for visuals - video or sketches - that might be scary or intense for your kids.
Other than that, the exhibit is excellent and offers kids a chance to see real-world artifacts and learn about the field of archaeology. We still had enough brain power to try the EcoChallenge and enjoy the Bob the Builder - Project Fix It and The Boeing Rocket Lab areas.
What: Indiana Jones™ and the Adventure of Archaeology
Where: Discovery Science Center
When: Now - April 21, 2013
General admission to the Discovery Science Center is $14.95 for adults and $12.95 for children (ages 3-17) and seniors (ages 62+) online. The Indiana Jones exhibit is an additional $8 online for members ($10 for non-members).
