YOUNGSTOWN - OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology will keep its building closed through May 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will continue offering ample at-home opportunities for budding scientists.

 

OH WOW! has been closed to the public since mid-March.

 

In the meantime, construction is expected to begin later this year to relocate the building’s entrances for the safety of future visitors.

 

“Safety is our top priority,” Suzanne Barbati, president and executive director, said. “We appreciate the efforts of our entire community in their support of OH WOW! but more importantly, in their efforts to keep our families and communities healthy, safe and secure.”

 

Parents and children will continue to have access to a variety of free STEM projects and experiments via ohwowkids.org as well as OH WOW! social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

 

STEM Science Action Kits, or STEM S.A.K.s, are also available for purchase through the website or by contacting Director of Education and Outreach Ralf Urbach at 330-744-5914 or directorofed@ohwowkids.org

 

“We have become a museum beyond our walls by giving our youth the chance to complete fun, exciting STEM-based projects from the comfort of their own home,” Urbach said. “We are committed to fulfilling our mission, launching the next generation of STEM stars while keeping our young visionaries safe.”

 

As OH WOW! prepares for the post-pandemic future, plans are underway to move the building’s main entrances to the Central Square side of the building for the safety of visitors, said Barbati.

 

“OH WOW!’s current entrances on West Federal Street have created access and safety issues for visitors and motorists traveling through downtown,” Barbati said. “We are in the process of selecting an architect and expect to move forward with construction later this year.”

 

A grand reopening is planned for OH WOW!’s 10th anniversary in May, and reservations for summer 2021 are available.