YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - A Youngstown staple is set to reopen more than a year after it had to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science & Technology will reopen to the public on May 15 at 9 a.m., and the center will have a new look. 

It will have a new entrance on Central Square and a new address at 15 Central Square in the historic McCrory Building. 

In 2019, OH WOW! purchased its new building from longtime landlord, neighbor and sponsor, First National Bank, and doubled its potential space.

Due to Covid-19, OH WOW! closed to the public in March 2020 and began to design, produce and distribute OH WOW!TM STEM SAKS (Science Activity Kits) to help educators and families "Science at Home".

In addition, OH WOW! has become a museum with our online and digital programming and an expanded presence on Social Media by our WOWtastic EDUtainers.

OH WOW! began Phase 1 of a multimillion dollar renovation in January 2021, growing and evolving in the center of Youngstown, with the assistance of CambridgeSeven and Murphy Contracting.

The new vision for this initial phase reorganizes overall visitor circulation and creates a dramatic new entrance and welcoming lobby on Central Square.

Several new exhibit galleries are being introduced into the revised layout, along with several old favorites that are being rejuvenated and relocated.

"You'll see brand new colors," said Suzanne Barbati, President and Executive Director, OH WOW! "We have a new exhibit called Sensory Sensitive Room, we have a new exhibit called House of Shine and we have a new exhibit being facilitated by Mr. Ralph in partnership with Youngstown State University called Microelectronics Lab."

OH WOW! also brought in Texas interactive museum decorator, House of Shine, and Michigan design company, Xibitz, to upgrade the space.

"We are in town to do the installation of the Hello Yellow Wall," said Claudia Beeny, Founder and Executive Director of House of Shine. "It's pretty much about mental health. It's really designed to help people explore who they are and why who they are matters." The wall is a miniature version of the House of Shine exhibit in Grapevine, Texas. 

Items being placed on the wall include yellow objects donated by community members. 

"We're adding some picture frames, some wallpaper, some vinyl," said Richard Belanger, Craftsman, Xibitz. 

OH WOW! will be open to the public on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with two sessions offered each of these days: 9-11 a.m. and noon-2 p.m..

Registration to visit OH WOW! is strongly encouraged.

"We're the happiest place in Youngstown," Barbati said. "People should come because it's time to experiment and explore with your friends, family and your neighbors."

Members and general admission guests are asked to register at ohwowkids.org, and clicking on the "ticket" button.

Cost of admission is the same: Members are free, General Admission is $8.00, Children under 2 free and Veterans, Seniors and Educators are $7.

Group rates are available.

Please call 330-744-5914 for additional information or questions.

OH WOW!'s signature events in 2021:
10th Annual Science of Brewing - Friday, August 6, 2021
11th Silly Science Sunday in September – Sunday, September 19, 2021

Long-term plans for the future include a bus pull-off on Central Square Plaza and an Outdoor Science Park and rear entrance to OH WOW!.