FOR RELEASE: July 15, 2008
Contact: Allison Dyer (828) 254-6373, Ext. 332
allisond@thehealthadventure.org

FREE FAMILY DAYS UNCOVER THE INNER LIFE OF TOYS AT
THE HEALTH ADVENTURE

ASHEVILLE – From motors to Martian hats, two upcoming programs at The Health Adventure will explore the science behind toys, and families can enjoy the fun for free.

Held in conjunction with the museum’s traveling exhibit, Toys: The Inside Story, the Family Day events will offer children and adults a fun introduction to the simple mechanisms commonly found in toys. Family Days will be held in August and September, and are free with museum admission. 

Robotics Workshop    Saturday, August 2 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Are you and your family ready for a robot challenge? Utilize an assortment of mechanical parts – motors, pulleys, levers, and more – to design, build, and test a functioning robot. You’ll sharpen your scientific reasoning, design, and engineering skills while working together. It’s fun for the whole family!

Toy Making Workshop     Saturday, September 6 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
There’s no better way to get the inside story about toys than to create your own! You and your family can experiment with two toys to make and take home. Learn how linkages work by making a butterfly with wings that flap, and craft a silly Martian hat to play around with balance and movement.

“At The Health Adventure, we encourage ‘smart fun,’” said Paige Johnson, President & CEO. “Children and adults alike are curious about how toys do the fun things they do, and our Family Day workshops provide an opportunity for families to learn and play together.”

While at the museum, families can also explore the exhibit that inspired these workshops. Toys: The Inside Story is on display at The Health Adventure through September 28 and includes 12 different hands-on stations that let visitors get in touch with their inner Geppetto to create toy-like combinations out of gears, pulleys, cams, and circuits.

Toys: The Inside Story was developed by the Montshire Museum of Science in Norwich, Vt., with funding from a National Science Foundation grant awarded to seven museums across the country that comprise TEAMS (Traveling Exhibits at Museums of Science). The exhibit is being presented at The Health Adventure through the support of The Toy Box.

For more information, visit www.thehealthadventure.org.