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SEE WHAT IT’S LIKE IN THE OVAL OFFICE, a new exhibit at the Magic House.

With the opening of the new expansion on Saturday, Dec. 20, it’s definitely not just politics as usual with The Magic House’s field trip program. The Magic House is now featuring five all-American field trips on civic education in the expansion’s new Star-Spangled Center that are sure to inspire young students to become proud, informed citizens.

The Star-Spangled Center is an innovative learning environment consisting of a Legislative Chamber, a Courtroom and an Oval Office and is filled with unique hands-on exhibits to explore. Each two-hour field trip includes a special program, a tour of the Star-Spangled Center and even time to take the liberty of climbing the three-story Jack and the Beanstalk Climber.

Oh Say Can You See? introduces students to 10 prominent American symbols in a team relay challenge. Students go on a patriotic scavenger hunt throughout the Star-Spangled Center and learn the significance of the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court, the Great Seal, the rose, the bald eagle, the Liberty Bell, the Statue of Liberty, the flag and Lady Justice. This is one field trip students will want to see to believe!

At Majority Rules!, students take on the role of “election commissioners” as they register to vote, cast their ballots and see election results tabulated on issues that matter to kids. This unique program illustrates how voting is one of our most important rights and responsibilities and demonstrates democracy in action. This field trip rules!

Balancing Act is a hands-on civic education program designed to help students gain knowledge of our Constitution’s framework for a balanced system of government. Students play a game to construct a 3-D model demonstrating the distribution of governmental responsibilities and power. This field trip is a perfect balance of education and fun!

At Law or No Law, students follow a piece of legislation from its creation to the House or Senate through committees and floors, to its final stop for signing or vetoing on the President’s desk in the Oval Office. The votes are in. This field trip is sure to pass!

Mock Trial allows students to better understand the Judicial branch of government. Students practice communication and critical thinking skills to prepare and present their own mock trial case as they take on various courtroom roles and become familiar with the importance of the American court system in solving disputes. This field trip is sure to return a positive verdict. Judge for yourself!

Setting politics aside, The Magic House will also offer a field trip in our new Mystery Mezzanine exhibit called The Mystery of the Missing Masterpiece! Junior detectives discover hidden clues, decipher secret messages and examine crime scene evidence using forensic science to solve the mystery. This CSI-style tour invites students to use deductive reasoning in proving there’s no such thing as disappearing without a trace! Students participate in this special program and tour the Mystery Mezzanine exhibit, as well as have the opportunity to climb the three-story Jack and the Beanstalk Climber. This field trip is so exciting; it would be a crime to miss it!

The Magic House is a not-for-profit participatory museum that provides hands-on learning experiences for children and families that encourage participation, experimentation, creativity and the development of problem-solving skills. Regular museum admission is $8.50 per person. Children under the age of one are free.

The Magic House is located at 516 S. Kirkwood Road, one mile north of Highway 44 in historic downtown Kirkwood. Hours during the school year are Tuesday through Thursday, 12-5:30, Friday 12-9, Saturday 9:30-5:30 and Sunday 11-5:30. The museum is closed on Mondays during the school year. Parking is always free at The Magic House.

For more information, please call (314) 822-8900 or visit The Magic House online at www.magichouse.org.

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