Jack Rouse Associates (JRA) is finalising work on a science and technology focused children’s museum in the US ahead of its opening in Q3 of this year.

JRA is providing final concept, schematic and detail design for the 8,000sq ft (743sq m) exhibit space at the US$6m (€5.3m, £3.8m) Children’s Museum of Siouxland in Sioux City, Iowa.

Targeting children aged between six months and 10 years, the 15,000sq ft (1,394sq m) facility is putting an emphasis on an interactive, hands-on approach, with the aim of offering educational value while fostering creativity and imagination.

The museum will focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) learning principles, while also integrating social science, language and the visual arts.

Interactive elements include a touch-activated globe in a ‘Me and You’ area, which explores the cultural diversity of the local region, and role play in a café and market in a ‘Commerce and Trade’ area. A horizontal climbing structure will serve as the entry point and facade to the museum.

An estimated 50,000 visitors are expected in its first year of operation, creating a US$2m (€1.76m, £1.27m) economic impact to downtown Sioux City.

JRA, in collaboration with educational consultant Mary Sinker, previously completed master planning and preliminary concept development for the museum. The company also worked with Sioux City architect M+ Architecture on the preliminary planning for the project.

Estimated admission fees are US$7 (€6.17, £4.45) per person with US$85 (€75, £54) family memberships and discounted group rates available, along with free events planned throughout the year, according to the museum.

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