Exhibits in the Discovery Depot children’s museum provide hands-on learning activities for children ages 1 to 12. Many of our exhibits focus heavily on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), challenging children to develop higher-level skills in critical thinking. Our favorites are the "Amazing Airmaze" and "Waves".
Our exhibits include Ferris Junction, our village, that promotes dramatic role play, community helpers and life skills for our youngest visitors!
We also boast our, modern Blick Art Studio. You bring the creativity and we have the supplies! The art studio is a favorite of young and old alike.
Exhibits at Discovery Depot!
Infant Pond
This exhibit is reserved for our youngest visitors, complete with soft surrounded surfaces, engaging mirrors and a pull up bar that promotes independence of standing on their own two feet. This area is a hit with parents and babes alike.
Toddler Ball Ramp
Ferris Acres
Be sure to meander into the serene toddler area ball ramp and ball run. Adjacent to the infant pond this nature inspired area entertains young minds for long spells.
Visit the farm at Ferris Acres. Check out the mini fields and gardens. Plant and harvest for the market, load up the farm truck or sell your produce at the farm stand. Don’t forget to stop in the barn and care for the horse, sheep and hens!
Take the Combine Challenge Simulation in Ferris Acres! Hop in the cab and harvest your field. Fill up your wagon and navigate the corn! The challenge: Harvest the corn before the season is over!
Ferris Science Playground
A MUST SEE is our One of a Kind Ferris Wheel. This exhibit is a nod to its inventor and Galesburg native, George W Gale Ferris Jr. Watch the gearing and axles, create a spectacular light show and learn pigments of light. Stop for a spell in our real Ferris Wheel seat!
Fly the Stearman Gear Wall
Bring out the mechanic side in you. Step up to the Stearman Plane wall and Build up those gears for Take Off!! A challenge for young and old alike!!
Gerstenberger Design It, Build It Room
This room brings out the engineer in everyone. Create raceways on the magnetic ball wall, complete with the 6 simple machines. Incorporate different ramps and machines to make the runs!
Try your hand in designing and building anything you can dream with different building systems: Legos, K’Nex, Thinker Linkers, Tinker Toys and more.
Roller Coaster Raceways
Located in the Gerstenberger room, this exhibit is all about Energy! Potential and Kinetic that is!! Try the challenges on each track!
Up, Up and Away
This area boasts fun learning with air energy! Try your wings in our towering Wind Tube. Design your wings to fly and give them a whirl!!
Bernoulli Blower
Balance a ball in a pocket of air at our Bernoulli Blower. Watch the Magic of physics at work!
A"maze"ing Airways
Be Amazed at A”MAZE”ING AIRWAYS! Watch the power of air move objects through the 10 by 12 foot maze!
Lights & Action!
Colors, patterns and creations glow from our large scale light bright!! A family favorite for decades is a part of our museum on a child sized wall.
Frozen Shadows
Frozen Shadows captures the Actions that your shadow creates. Try out the wings, horns or guitar or just jump in the air and catch your shadow!
Blick Art
Blick Art Studio Creations, Masterpieces, Programs and More happen in our new art studio. Step inside and let your imagination lead you! We supply the materials, you supply the creativity!
Ferris Junction:
Take a trip to our village in a park like setting! Shop our grocery store and learn about healthy eating. Pop in the Ferris Junction Pizzeria to order up your favorite slice! Next stop is the train depot, check in, grab your ticket and jump on the real BNSF caboose adjacent to our building!
Ferris Junction Bank and Post Office are right there, as well. Need some extra money? That can be found at our kid sized ATM. For those animal lovers, our 2-story Vet Clinic is a perfect place to love, nurture and care for our furry friends!
Just outside the village, are our First Responders! Central Fire Station with turn out gear and room along with the dispatch center is a favorite of the museum. Climb the ladder to the house at the top! Hook up the hoses and tackle the fire! Down the road is our ambulance, complete with stretcher and medical supplies!
Menu
(309) 344-8876