The sound of hammering and sawing will soon fill the galleries of the Museum of Discovery during its latest project, "Build It Lab," a hands-on exploration into the world of construction. In partnership with AGC Arkansas, the state’s largest association of commercial contractors; University of Arkansas at Little Rock; and Home Depot, "Build It Lab" is being held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on five consecutive Saturdays, Jan. 24 through Feb. 21, and promises to offer visitors an interactive view into the many phases of construction ranging from framing to wiring to painting.  

Museum visitors each Saturday will engage in five hands-on activities related to framing, waterproofing, plumbing, wiring, roofing, soundproofing and painting.  Some of these activities include an introduction to hammering and sawing, circuit blocks, marble runs and painting with the aid of stencils.  The activities will be facilitated by area construction professionals, Home Depot employees and museum staff.

In addition to the hands-on projects, students from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Construction Management program will build a playhouse, focusing on a different construction phase each Saturday.  Once the house is complete, the Museum of Discovery will donate the building to a school for their playground.

"The mission of the Museum of Discovery is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment," said Kelley Bass, museum CEO, "and Build It Lab is going to give our visitors the chance to do just that as they engage in hands-on construction activities while also observing UALR students building the playhouse that later will be awarded to an Arkansas school."

"Workforce development continues to be a topic at the forefront of the minds of many Arkansans," said Richard Hedgecock of AGC Arkansas, "We are proud to partner with these great community leaders to open the eyes of young people, and their parents, about the possibilities offered to them through construction careers."

"Build It Lab" participation is included in regular museum admission.  For more information, visit www.museumofdiscovery.org or contact 501-396-7050.

Museum of Discovery's mission is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment.