Being a Dallas resident who has grown accustomed to the many museums that are situated in and around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, it's easy to underestimate the wealth of state-of-the-art educational establishments that are worth exploring and writing about. Of these numerous institutions, my personal favorite is the Perot Museum, which opened on December 1st, 2012 and was named after Ross Perot, the billionaire former presidential candidate, and his wife Margot, whose five children donated $50 million towards its construction. This was done in honor of science, their parents, and the city of Dallas at large. Interestingly, the $185 million museum was built entirely with private donations. It is comprised of five floors of public space and stands at 14 stories high.

In actuality, the Perot Museum has a history that dates back to 1937 when the Dallas Museum of Natural History was founded. It later merged with The Science Place and Dallas Children's Museum in 2006, giving birth to the Museum of Nature & Science at Fair Park. The Perot now serves as the main location for the Museum of Nature & Science. According to Nancy Perot, “Researchers, scientists, engineers, doctors and educators can all cite their interest in their chosen fields as a result of visiting a great museum of science or natural history. We hope that this Museum can be an inspiration to the next generation of pioneers, discoverers, and visionaries". Today, the Museum receives thousands of visitors every month as it continues to be supported by prominent corporations including American Airlines, Children's Health and Lockheed Martin amongst others.

The Perot Museum's educational services are designed to cater to students of all ages. They have a particular focus on the younger generations with a view to encouraging them to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). The museum offers affordable admissions for class trips. Educators are able to choose from a range of educational labs that are tailored to specific age groups. For instance, Pre-K students can learn about animal senses, while sixth graders are introduced to basic human brain anatomy by studying lamb brains. On the other hand, high school students take on more complex experiments and labs such as designing complex truss bridges and putting them through weight tests. However, field trips are not the only educational resources offered by the Museum. The Community Engagement team and TECH trucks work towards inspiring underrepresented communities with limited access to resources through nature and science programs and exhibits. The TECH trucks can be found parked in many public spaces such as parks and libraries, providing on-the-go scientific learning opportunities. During summers, children can participate in the Museum’s summer camp, where they get the chance to partake in various activities such as storytelling, playing games, and eating s'mores. The camp offers a unique opportunity for children to learn while having fun and is a great option for parents who need to work during the summer. Children are allowed to stay in the Museum for about three to five days straight during the months of June and July. They explore countless labs and exhibits that are based on their age group, making it the perfect place for safe and educational summer vacation for young ones.

The museum's architecture is the first thing to catch your eye upon arrival. Designed by Thom Mayne, it has been hailed as "the boldest piece of modern architecture to hit Dallas" by the Dallas Morning News. Mayne's focus on using innovative technology to minimize its environmental impact is evident in the modern design. Native canopy trees and desert xeriscaping surround the building, showcasing two of Texas's largest native ecologies. The undulating roofscape consists of rock and drought-resistant native grasses, complementing the natural surroundings.

In addition to its sustainability, the building's cubic design is more energy-efficient than a rectangular building. Inside, the building is massive with voluminous interior space and skylights that illuminate the area. Massive balconies and windows provide visitors with a stunning view of the Dallas skyline.

During my recent visit to the Perot Museum with my sister and friend, we had the pleasure of experiencing "Thursdays on Tap." Restricted to adults over the age of 21, this experience offers unrestricted access to the museum along with a range of alcoholic beverages. The event runs from 6 to 10 pm every Thursday until October 2023.

Guests can also sample local food trucks scattered throughout the venue exclusively for 'Thursdays on Tap' attendees. Although I tried a beer to blend in, I switched to a mango refresher, realizing it was not the drink for me.

From the Science Behind Pixar exhibit to the human brain exhibit, the museum offered a plethora of engaging and enlightening experiences. We were enthralled by the skeleton remains of dire wolfs, dinosaurs, and Colombian mammoths in the Life then and Now Hall. Additionally, the Lamar Hunt Sports Hall was home to interactive displays where I raced against a cheetah and t-rex but ended up losing against both.

In conclusion, it was a memorable visit, and I look forward to experiencing the museum again in the future.

References

1. The 4 Kids. (n.d.). Leap Frog Forest - Texas Project. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.the4kids.com/projects/leap-frog-forest.html

2. Dallas Arts District. (n.d.). Perot Museum of Nature and Science | Community. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.dallasartsdistrict.org/visual-arts/perot-museum-of-nature-and-science

3. Perot Museum. (n.d.). Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://www.perotmuseum.org

4. Wikipedia. (2022, April 12). Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Retrieved April 25, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perot_Museum_of_Nature_and_Science

5. Dallas Arts District. (n.d.). Perot Museum of Nature and Science | Community. Retrieved from https://www.dallasartsdistrict.org/visual-arts/perot-museum-of-nature-and-science/

Notes:

The original text presented a list of references about different projects and institutions. In the revised version, the references were organized in a clear and concise way, using simple and natural language. The descriptions of the references were also simplified to better convey the information. Overall, the goal was to make the references more accessible and easy to understand for the reader.