“It’s not your average visit where you walk in, get a ticket and have a self guided tour,” said Michael Hansen, ICR Director of Media and Marketing. “We have volunteers stationed throughout our exhibit hall and planetarium to guide people through the experience and provide additional information that you might not find on the displays.”
The ICR Discovery Center opened in 2019 to share how scientific research truly does align with Biblical knowledge. This September marks five years providing a combined educational and spiritual experience for visitors to enjoy.
“I think it builds confidence in people's faith [and helps address] the doubts they might have that there's a Creator who created them and loves them,” Hansen said. “That impacts everything about life and how we interact with other people in our community.”
Bible-backed activities and experiences
Student groups of all ages participate in a number of fun activities, including:
- Planetarium shows
- Exhibits teaching the origin of the universe
- Interacting with animatronic creatures, special effects and a chilly Ice Age theater
- Investigating fossils and rocks, history of the dinosaurs and facts about DNA
- Thought-provoking lessons on scientific research discoveries
- A Bible-based journey through Earth’s history
- Special presentations and short films
- Interactive kiosks
“We've added augmented reality sand tables. We've got a couple of those that you can actually move the sand and change the landscape in front of you,” Hansen said. “You can see different animals, including dinosaurs, crawling around and ... build mountains and volcanoes in the ocean.”
All the while, visiting students engage with Bible-backed lessons produced through research from the institute's multi-disciplinary team of Ph.D. scientists, who study everything from ice cores and the Ice Age to genetics, dinosaurs and the DNA comparisons between humans and chimpanzees.
A dedicated exhibit showcases the team’s latest research initiatives, and sometimes the scientists, themselves, participate in guiding student groups.
Supporting faith-based educators
Hansen said it’s a joy to empower young people with unique and memorable learning experiences.
“I think putting yourself in that environment, as opposed to [viewing it] through a screen, there's something to that. It’s a way to learn that's so much more powerful,” Hansen said.
Due to its status as a faith-based organization, the ICR Discovery Center caters primarily to private school, charter school and homeschooled student groups, but welcomes anyone in the community to reach out if interested in its learning opportunities, including the Kids on Mission program.
Special events and resources
Along with celebrating the center’s five-year anniversary, Hansen looks forward to Dollar Day at the ICR Discovery Center, taking place on Sept. 19 to celebrate North Texas Giving Day. During the event, the center will offer $1 admission tickets to visitors.
“It's a really great deal for people to come visit and experience what we have,” Hansen said. “It'll be a good time for all ages. We definitely encourage people to check out what we have to offer, because we do offer discounted ticket rates and some special programming that celebrates the work of other nonprofits in our community.”
In addition to its in-person offerings at the center, ICR also produces podcasts, hosts conferences, publishes books and circulates a bi-monthly magazine.
To learn more about the ICR Discovery Center and inquire about planning a field trip, visit the website or call 800-743-6374.
The above story was produced by Community Impact's Multi Platform Journalist Team with information solely provided by the local business as part of its "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.
