The Museum of Discovery in Little Rock’s River Market District recently reopened its doors following a $9.2 million renovation that reinvented the popular destination. The reviews were stunning, thanks in part to the consultation of a team of UALR students in the Donaghey College of Engineering and Information Technology.

Since the museum’s mission is to ignite a passion for science, technology, engineering, and math in young people, the curators wanted reviews and criticisms before opening day from young people energized by STEM subjects.

Fourteen EIT students serving on an advisory board with the museum previewed the renovated exhibit space on Saturday, Dec. 17, for a “test-drive” of the new exhibits almost a month before they were available to the general public.

The group provided museum staff with their impressions of the exhibits after spending about an hour and a half in the newly renovated museum.

“I only wish that I had this museum when I was young,” said Aaron Stevens of Bryant, a graduate of the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Science, and the Arts, who now majors in systems engineering with an electrical emphasis.

“While the old exhibits and museum were still great for my 10-year-old self, the new museum’s quality and level of interaction are nothing short of amazing. I was somewhat sad that we had to leave as soon as we did,” he said. “It made me feel like a kid again.”

All agreed 90 minutes wasn’t nearly enough time to explore all the museum has to offer – suggesting “all day” was more like it.

“The EIT-Museum of Discovery Advisory Council members will continue to consult with museum staff over the coming months to help create exhibit-focused programs that will resonate with young people,” said Nan Selz, executive director of the museum.

“The goal is for every person who comes to the Museum of Discovery to become as excited about science, technology, and math as these EIT students.”

The renovated interior space, funded by a grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, includes nearly 90 new exhibits that are math, science, and technology-focused and all are interactive and hands-on.

The following EIT students served on the Museum of Discovery Advisory Council:

• Tommy Jones of Little Rock
• Dan Swaim of Alexander
• Clay Mosley of Maumelle
• Jared Justus of Hot Springs
• Kevin Rushing of Hot Springs
• Nikki Kennedy of Benton
• Aaron Stevens of Bryant
• Marshall Jackson of Little Rock
• Deavonte White of Little Rock
• Chase Berg of Lonoke
• Kirk Frazier of Pine Bluff
• Adrian Jones of Little Rock
• Khameron Jones of Little Rock
• Tommy Lawrence of Cabot