Solve-It Central offers puzzling possibilities

BANGOR – The science of problem solving comes to life in Solve-It Central, a new traveling exhibition that opened Feb. 3 and runs through May 3 at the Maine Discovery Museum. Fifteen interactive exhibits help visitors discover and apply a variety of approaches to problem solving.

“Finding a solution to a problem is only part of the experience,” said museum Executive Director Andrea Stark. “We’ve seen parents and children having so much fun working together at Solve-It, because each activity provides multiple challenges and possible solutions.”

Inspired by everyday situations, such as school, hobbies, entertainment and work, the Solve-It Central exhibit has 15 colorful stations, where visitors young and old may tackle problems individually or as a group.

At Amazing Pipes, visitors assemble a maze of tubes to blow a stream of air into organ pipes.

At Patterns Heard, visitors collaborate with computer characters to compose songs.

Chalk Talk sharpens verbal and listening skills, while The Brain Game tests memory.

Even the youngest children can have fun packing and unpacking the model house and playing with the trains in Switchyard.

Solve-It Central was created by the Hands-On Museum in Ann Arbor, Mich., with support from the National Science Foundation and production help from the Association of Science-Technology Centers. To learn more about the exhibit, call 262-7200 or visit www.mainediscoverymuseum.org.