Monday, June 23, 2014

Avengers Assemble for Times Square Exhibit


If you are going to be in the vicinity of New York City this summer you should swing by the DISCOVERY TIMES SQUARE MUSEUM to check out their newest exhibit: Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N.  It is an out of this world experience where Marvel & NASA have teamed up to promote S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) lessons in a fun way through immersing visitors into the cinematic universe of Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Thor.  I haven't been to it yet, but a friend of mine took his kids and gave the experience a big green Hulk's thumbs up!


Apparently walking through the exhibit is like having a walk on role in a Marvel Super Heroes movie and the whole experience stays in character to a point that it feels as if you are part of a comic book adventure.  The theme of the exhibit is that you have been recruited to become S.H.I.E.L.D.'s newest agent and you are attending the top secret Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. (Scientific Training & Tactical Intelligence Operatives Network) to be initiated and trained about the history and secrets of the super heroes you will be working with in your new job.  The exhibit is filled with movie props and replicas from the Marvel films plus high-tech displays and experiments that utilize super hero and villain themes that make educational lessons entertaining. As you walk through the S.T.A.T.I.O.N., you are funneled through various rooms dedicated to each of the main Avengers characters.


For example, Captain America has relics from his World War II days, the super soldier chamber that gave him his special abilities, and his current Avengers costume on display.  There are a variety of challenges in his room where you can pit your strength and reflexes against his.  Thor's area features a star map with a focus on astronomy where you can locate Asgard and other spacial items.  The Hulk's room is filled with microscopes and discusses the science behind Bruce Banner's transformation.  While you can't wear the armor, you can get a good look at an Iron Man suit from the movies.  Plus there are what are called JARVIS visors that give you the experience of being in control of Iron Man through scanners that track your eye movement.

In addition to the tier one characters, they also have the outfits for characters like Hawkeye, Black Widow, Loki, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Agent Coulson....plus a bad guy from the first Avengers movie captured in suspended animation after the Battle of New York, a Chitauri (also know as a Skrull to those of us who grew up reading comic books but Fox owns the movie rights to that name through its Fantastic Four license so the name was changed in the film)


My friend who visited said that while the Marvel props are a thrill to see the best part of the exhibit is experiencing all of the interactive features available to play around with.  So don't rush through the displays are meant for people to linger.  Taking that into consideration you may want to plan a visit avoiding peak attendance times so you have the least crowds to contend with.  Admission is by time slots so it does appear as there are some limitations to help provide everyone a nice opportunity to enjoy themselves without it being too hectic of a surrounding.

Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. really looks to be an exciting opportunity for both kids and kids at heart. This Geek Daddy really tries to focus on making education entertaining for my children and this exhibit really seems to take this attitude to heart.  I really like the NASA partnership to combine its science with the fiction of Marvel to create a scifi event that showcases how science and math can be cool.  I'm really hoping we have the opportunity to take a family roadtrip to New York this summer or fall to experience Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. at the Discovery Times Square Museum.

The one downside is that like all things in the Big Apple it seems a little pricey.  Tickets are $27 for adults, $19.50 for kids 3 to 11 (children 12 and over are adults prices - yikes!) and Seniors 65+ are $23.50.  So a trip to this exhibit would cost my family $93....ouch!  Plus they charge extra for things like digital photo ops and other souvenirs, you didn't think you could leave without exiting a gift store did you?  They do offer a nice $25 parking deal with ticket packages which sounds like a bargain if you are driving into Manhattan and if you are going take advantage of the American Express sponsorship deal that gives you a free digital photo op at the exhibit if you buy your tickets with their credit card.

For more information about Marvel's Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. visit www.discoverytsx.com

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