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Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to HandsOn!

Hands On! Discovery Center welcomes visitors of all ages, abilities, ethnicities, genders, and income levels to play and discover in a place where learning and fun go hand-in-hand!  Here you can find answers to some of our most Frequently Asked Questions to ensure a fun and safe experience for you and all of our visitors!

What items can I bring?

  • Small backpacks
  • Water is allowed in a secure bottle. No other liquids or food are permitted
  • Strollers and front-facing baby carriers are welcome
  • Mobility scooters are allowed
  • Service animals are welcome

What should I leave at home?

  • Large bags, luggage, musical instruments, electronics, and large recording equipment
  • Glass containers
  • Food and beverages (other than water in a secure bottle) are only allowed in outdoor areas
  • Marking materials, paint, adhesives, glues, or epoxies
  • Pets or emotional support animals
  • Firearms, weapons, or hazardous materials
  • Oversized strollers, jogging strollers, wagons,
  • Bicycles, skateboards, roller-skates, rollerblades, ice skates, and scooters
  • Knives, sharp tools, screwdrivers
  • Costumes (other than Halloween event)
  • Masks that obscure the face
  • Any other item that could put the staff or visitors at risk, as determined at the sole discretion of HODC/GFS staff

How can I ensure a safe experience for everyone?

  • HODC/GFS does not tolerate verbally abusive, harassing, discriminatory, or threatening statements or behavior toward the staff, volunteers, students, or other visitors.
  • The principles of diversity, inclusion, and equal access apply to all aspects of operations, across all categories of individuals.
  • Conduct that poses any risk to other visitors, the staff, volunteers, or to the museum’s collection, such as running, rough play, and disruptive behavior is prohibited.
  • Leafleting, signature gathering, picketing, merchandise sales, and press conferences by visitors are not permitted.
  • Solicitation of business and unauthorized for-profit activity is not permitted.
  • The unauthorized playing of music and video, unauthorized performances, and sound amplification or noisemakers (except for assistive-listening devices) is prohibited.
  • Keep doorways, stairs, and hallways accessible to other visitors; do not sit on the floor.
  • Please do not carry children or other guests on shoulders.
  • Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited in the Museum or near the entrances.
  • Use of electrical outlets in the Museum is prohibited.
  • For health and safety reasons, shirts and shoes are required at all times.

Is My Animal a Service Animal?

Qualified service dogs that have been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability are welcome.  Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted entry to any buildings or outdoor exhibit areas.

Hands on Museum - pink contact icon

Contact Us!

For all other questions, please contact our Front Desk at (423) 434-4263.

Up Next!

Upcoming Events

May
27
Tue
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
May 27 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Snap Circuits
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Snap Circuit electronics! Discovery Cart activities are self-guided. All program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Some activities may contain small parts not suitable for children...
all-day May Art Studio Programs
May Art Studio Programs
May 27 all-day
May Art Studio Programs
Find creative inspiration with these activities in the Art Studio! Tea cup sketches in the style of Mary Cassatt. Oil pastel jungle art inspired by Henri Rousseau. Paper collages inspired by Salvador Dalí. May flower wax-resist watercolor paintings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided....
all-day Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program
Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program
May 27 all-day
Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program
We’re diving into World Oceans Day with a program all about sea water! Stop by the Discovery Lab to learn about density, buoyancy, salinity, and a myriad of marine life in celebration of World Oceans Day.  Try out some “Sink or Float?” challenges, put our...
May
28
Wed
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
May 28 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Snap Circuits
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Snap Circuit electronics! Discovery Cart activities are self-guided. All program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Some activities may contain small parts not suitable for children...
all-day May Art Studio Programs
May Art Studio Programs
May 28 all-day
May Art Studio Programs
Find creative inspiration with these activities in the Art Studio! Tea cup sketches in the style of Mary Cassatt. Oil pastel jungle art inspired by Henri Rousseau. Paper collages inspired by Salvador Dalí. May flower wax-resist watercolor paintings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided....
all-day Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program
Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program
May 28 all-day
Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program
We’re diving into World Oceans Day with a program all about sea water! Stop by the Discovery Lab to learn about density, buoyancy, salinity, and a myriad of marine life in celebration of World Oceans Day.  Try out some “Sink or Float?” challenges, put our...
May
29
Thu
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
May 29 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Snap Circuits
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Snap Circuit electronics! Discovery Cart activities are self-guided. All program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Some activities may contain small parts not suitable for children...
all-day May Art Studio Programs
May Art Studio Programs
May 29 all-day
May Art Studio Programs
Find creative inspiration with these activities in the Art Studio! Tea cup sketches in the style of Mary Cassatt. Oil pastel jungle art inspired by Henri Rousseau. Paper collages inspired by Salvador Dalí. May flower wax-resist watercolor paintings. All activities are self-guided with instructions provided....
all-day Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program
Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program
May 29 all-day
Sink or Swim? Discovery Lab Program
We’re diving into World Oceans Day with a program all about sea water! Stop by the Discovery Lab to learn about density, buoyancy, salinity, and a myriad of marine life in celebration of World Oceans Day.  Try out some “Sink or Float?” challenges, put our...
May
30
Fri
all-day Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
Discovery Cart Activity – Snap C...
May 30 all-day
Discovery Cart Activity - Snap Circuits
Stop by our Discovery Cart to explore something new each week. This week’s program is Snap Circuit electronics! Discovery Cart activities are self-guided. All program components and materials must remain on site unless otherwise noted. Some activities may contain small parts not suitable for children...
Hands on Museum - colorful gears working in unison