A Visit to the Newly Opened Discovery Cube Los Angeles Science Center

Discovery Cube Los Angeles is a 71,000 sq ft hands-on science and education museum that opened on November 13th in Lakeview Terrace at the Hansen Dam Recreational Area.

This is a beautiful, two-story, open, airy and fun facility geared towards children but fun for all family members. We stopped by and explored the various interactive exhibits and wow, what an impressive array they have!

There's a great array educational exhibits on display at Discovery Cube LA. In the Inspector Training Course, kids receive touch screen tablets and learn to conserve resources and in a real-life home. Fun, educational and very interactive! The Aquavator is a virtual elevator that takes you into the earth's crust for a tour. Race to Zero Waste is a game-based exhibit teaching guests the correct way to sort trash and divert materials from the landfills.

Children are given tablet computers as they inspect this home for resource efficiencies.

The Discovery Market is an impressively put together supermarket where kids use computer-equipped shopping carts to learn how to read package levels, learn about nutrition and make healthy choices. The Making the Grade Gallery provides grade-specific interactive, scientific exhibits. The Planetary Research Station uses a suspended, animated globe to highlight information about the solar system, natural disasters and climate change.

The Discovery Market is an interactive learning experience that almost looks like a real store.

The Helicopter Tour gives a simulated birds-eye view of our state's natural resources. In the Park Science area you will learn about rock climbing, hiking, and other forms of exercise and weather related exhibits focusing on tornadoes, earthquakes, wind, fire and rain.

Enjoy a 300 mile virtual trip from Mount Whitney to the Los Angeles basin in the Helicopter Tour.

Coming in February 2015 in partnership with the LA Kings is The Science of Hockey, featuring many aspects of the science behind the game, covering shooting, goalkeeping, ice, the scoreboard, Zamboni, hockey equipment and more. This will be a permanent exhibit at the museum.

Discovery Cube Los Angeles also has temporary exhibits, including the current Dinosaurs -  Fire and Ice exhibit until January 4, 2015.

There's also the Bean Sprouts Cafe, serving up healthy sandwiches, pizzas, soups, salads, hummus and more. The cafe has an array of special dietary options, including vegetarian and vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, casein-free, nut-free and egg-free.

Discovery Cube Los Angeles is located at 11800 Foothill Boulevard, Los Angeles. Open daily, 10am to 5pm. General admission is $16.95 for ages 15+ and $12.95 for kids ages 3 to 14 as well as seniors 62+. Free for ages 2 and under. Parking is free.

From Thousand Oaks, take Highway 23 north to the 118 east to 210 east to the Osborne Street exit. Turn right on Foothill Blvd and you'll set the building on your left. Follow the signs and turn left on Osborne St, then left on Dronfield Ave to park. Learn more at www.discoverycube.org/la.

Learn about the environment surrounding Hansen Dam as well as the importance of exercise.