Hands-On Science Center (HOSC) — Attraction in Tullahoma

We arrived a few minutes before they opened, and passed the time by enjoying the small area to excavate bones in the sand by the front door. This was my daughter’s favorite part of the entire museum, and I think it could be really lovely to expand that area outdoors.

When we entered, we were greeted warmly, which is always appreciated. Admission was $13.50 for my five year old and myself, which isn’t an astronomical amount...but it seemed a bit overpriced in hindsight, especially since there were several things that weren’t in working order, not accessible, or undergoing changes.

The first room you come to has several building tables and exhibits, a play area for kids under 6 (more like 4 and under) in the very back, a few lighted tables with blocks, a foosball table we couldn’t find the ball for, a Connect Four game, and a mash up of several other stations. This was the area we spent the most time in.

While there was more to do in the first room than in the rest of the museum, it was difficult to truly enjoy it all because it’s DARK! I thought they forgot the lights, but it appears that’s just how they keep it. My daughter couldn’t see at all in the little playroom area with the curtains, so that was a total loss, and there were puzzles and such out on the ledge around the play area she wanted to try, but it was too dark to see them. She did find a few hand puppets she got excited about, but when she took them closer to the lighted table to see them better, they were absolutely filthy, and so she put them back. The magnet blocks were a hit though. She spent over 30 minutes building herself a castle!

In the next room, there was a brain area and a dental area. I think that the brain exhibit, while small, was informative. The tooth area looked a bit grungy, but they had several sets of dentures and such, examples of cavities and fillings, and a large toothbrush for practice.

There was an area where it appears they are adding aquariums, or perhaps they’re removing them...hard to tell. It was blocked off though, so that was a missed experience.

There were a few building stations, weights, a vacuum and bowling ball exhibit, an ultraviolet light room, a microscope, and a hallway of geodes and beetles and things. It led to another hallway with a variety of actual animals that had been stuffed, and a room off of that with snakes, lizards, turtles, butterflies, and cockroaches to see.

We spent one hour and 45 minutes at the museum, and while we managed to make that time feel full, we revisited many of the same things again and again. There just really isn’t enough to do there to warrant a return trip, or my 34 mile drive...but if you’re in the area and you have an hour to kill, it’s...

This science museum had tons of different little exhibits. While it is small, the exhibits are quality. For a two year old there was a great section for little ones to play. The toy animals they had out were great. Looking at the live animals was a great bonus not all science museums offer. The exhibits did seem loved but in okay condition. Some more things to play with in the little doctors office would be nice, maybe some dress up outfits. On a rainy day we will probably be back so I can let my kid run wild again. Price is decent especially for this with kids two and under, I only had to pay admission for myself. All in all we spend about an hour and a half there. I do wish they had a place kids could eat snacks and maybe a vending...

Went to their re-grand opening from the flyer it says free family fun, and just below that it says all different activities with food and drinks. Most every activity there they wanted a donation. Bottom of the flyer in smaller print says some activities for a small donation... Launch a rocket ($20) See what's inside an owl pellet ($5) face painting ($2-$7) Food was charged as well, the pancakes they had in the morning were barely edible. I was ready to go after seeing how their ad was so misleading, but I let my kids play inside with the science themed attractions they had. The shows they had in their auditorium was worth the time there...at least they didn't...