Exploration and innovation makes the grade for kids on a school break visiting MOXI
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A spring break schedule for some school kids includes a dive into science and innovation at the MOXI (The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation) museum in Santa Barbara.
It's a busy week, and the month of March has been full with a variety of spring break schedules in motion. The staff recommends a ticket reservation in advance to visit the multi-floor museum adjacent to the Santa Barbara train station.
The Associate Director of Education, Kristin Denton, says 16 kids are currently in a spring break camp learning about songs, music and creating a band all this week.
"When kids come here they don't really notice that they are learning which is great. As a parent it is great to sneak in a little bit of learning. The kids think they are here to have fun and they are but they are getting a side of learning when they do that," said Denton.
The summer camps already have a brisk sign-up pace.
Kids inside MOXI Tuesday were racing hand-made cars, creating Lego designs on a giant board, and measuring their jumps with a video image.
Visiting from Ventura, Rhett Morgan said MOXI was a special stop for his young son and "we have a season pass to the zoo so it 's kind of a good little add on."
With hundreds of Lego pieces in front of a design board, the creations are endless. Goleta resident Kristina Fluitt is a frequent visitors and came with her two boys and friends. "They cheered. Yesterday we did a big waterfall hike and then today I said we were going to MOXI and this got more enthusiasm."
A couple of brothers from Ventura county found out how to design small cars and change their performance on this special track. Isaac Orozco said, "you can like create your own vehicles and it is fun if you like know how to create one and win the races more often."
Alan Flores, his younger brother said, "I found it (a pre-made car) right here and then I just wanted to race my brother. I told him lets go race and we put our cars on and I beat him multiple times and he beat me once."
The MOXI staff says there has been a significant increase in foot traffic and it started a couple of weeks ago. Denton said she saw the spring break surge coming. "We are seeing people from all over the world. Lots of Californians making road trips to Santa Barbara especially while the weather is very nice right now."
Even when it rains which is possible on Friday Denton said, our attendance usually goes up on rainy days."
A special Shadow Play exhibit with lights and images was also captivating. It will be at MOXI through the end of May.
(more details and video will be added here later today)
