Museum of Discovery: Little Rock's STEM Hub

The Museum of Discovery, located in the River Market District of downtown Little Rock, has been sparking curiosity and inspiring learning for nearly a century. Founded in 1927 by author and activist Julia Burnell Smade Babcock, the museum began as the Museum of Natural History and Antiquities, showcasing a collection of artifacts, taxidermy specimens, and cultural items. Over the years, the museum has transformed and expanded, moving to several locations before finding its current home in the River Market District in 1998. Today, the Museum of Discovery focuses on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, offering a wide range of interactive exhibits designed to engage visitors of all ages. Among the museum's highlights is a Guinness World Record-holding musical bi-polar Tesla coil that puts on electrifying shows. Visitors can also explore exhibits on forces and energy, light and sound, and electricity and magnetism. The Dynamic Earth gallery demonstrates how the planet changes through adaptation, transformation and the forces of change. Animal lovers can enjoy the museum's live animal collection, which includes ferrets and possums. Younger children will enjoy the Small Fry Fish Camp, an immersive exhibit designed for children 6 and under. The museum also offers a Sensory Cove, a calming space for guests with sensory processing disorders. With a pre-visit social story and sensory map, the museum strives to create an inclusive and fun environment for everyone.