NASA Infinity Science Center on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is a great day trip from New Orleans. Located next to the Mississippi Welcome Center, Infinity Center also serves as the official visitor center for the nearby NASA’s Stennis Space Center. Infinity Science Center is a non-profit science museum with a mix of exhibit space that includes interactive and hands-on experiential programming. Visiting this science educational center will delight even the littlest explorer.
Earth Gallery
On the first floor of Infinity Science Center you will find the Earth Gallery with interactive exhibits that let visitors explore Earth Science.
When you first walk in, you’ll see the Natrium, which includes an Engineering Workshop where children can build and design their own inventions. Plus the Carnivorous Plants Conservatory, where kids of all ages can learn about carnivorous plants.
As you move through the first floor of the space center, you’ll find an environmental monitoring station and the Hurricane Prediction Lab, where you can learn about hurricanes like Hurricane Katrina, weather, and meteorology. The Deep Ocean Explore allows you to explore the depths of the ocean. You can even take on a mission to repair a broken oil rig.
Space Gallery
Upstairs on the second floor of the science center, you’ll find the Space Gallery.
Here visitors can explore and learn about NASA’s space exploration efforts. Here, you’ll find Smithsonian-loaned artifacts, space suits, and artifacts from space missions, including NASA’s Apollo moon program, including a moon rock from Apollo 15. life-sized, walk-through mockup of the International Space Station’s Destiny module allows you to imagine what it is life is like on space stations.
Little Learners Lab
Made especially for children under five, the Little Learners Lab offers hands-on exploration and the excitement of discovery through play. The lab has been transformed into a swamp, a space station, and outer space, where children can make connections about the world around them through simple investigations and activities that compare, sort and classify.
INFINITY’s 3D Theater
It has a state-of-the-art laser 3D projection system and surround sound audio. Different movies are playing throughout the day, and tickets are $4 each.
Biome Boardwalk
The Biome Boardwalk takes you to the largest attraction, the mighty Saturn V first-stage booster, and the massive F-1 rocket engine. This is the big attraction that you can see from the interstate as you pass by, and it used to be at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility. It’s AMAZING to see up close and in person.
Along the boardwalk are observation decks where you can explore the outdoor exhibits with native plants, a butterfly garden, and natural habitats. Keep your eyes open for wildlife!
Possum Walk Trail
The Possum Walk trail is a 100-mile Heritage Trail that runs from Infinity Space Center to Moss Point, Mississippi. The trail presents the history of Possum Walk, a now deserted African American community, and Logtown, which was a logging community that was relocated during the 1960s Space Program.
When the Tram Tours are open, visitors can take a 45-minute, 6-mile Nature Tour to see the Possum Walk Trail and hear the area’s history.
Educational Opportunities at Infinity Science Center
Infinity Science Center offers many educational opportunities, including camps and field trips.
Teachers
Throughout the year, Infinity offers professional development classes, helping teachers develop what they need to teach STEM concepts to their students. They even have outreach ambassadors, summer camps, and museum studies opportunities for teachers to earn CEUs.
Homeschoolers
On Mondays, from 9 a.m. to noon, Infinity offers themed educational programming for homeschoolers and their families, including hands-on STEM activities and experiments.
Boy and Girl Scouts
Infinity offers classes for troops where scouts can learn about topics including science exploration, geology, robotics, engineering, and ecology. Classes are offered from 10 am to 12 pm or 1 pm to 3 pm. The cost is $20 per scout and $10 per adult. The troop leader must reserve these classes.
Infinity Science Center also holds Scout Days twice a year, with fun activities, demonstrations, and special guests. You can even purchase a special event patch.
Virtual Learning Labs
Virtual Learning Labs are 45-1 hour long classes for grades 3-8. These are perfect for homeschool groups and school groups to learn about topics such as rocks, fossils, weather, space, space explorers, and watersheds. Labs are $5 per student for 10-15 students and require a minimum of 5 students to book. Groups with more than 15 students should call for a special hourly rate.
Summer Camp
Infinity offers three summer camps for children grades 2-10.
Astro Camp is for children ages 7-11 (going into 2nd grade—going into 6th grade). It is aligned with NASA’s priorities and provides campers with hands-on activities that teach STEM principles in engineering, robotics, space exploration, and more.
Artemis Camp for ages 12-15 (going into 7th grade – going into 10th grade). Artemis Camp campers explore space science and technology with geology, robotics, chemistry, computer technology, and more through hands-on activities and experiments that will empower campers to pursue STEM careers.
NEXUS 1 Robotics Camps is also for ages 12-15 (going into 7th grade – going into 10th grade). Here, campers solve real-world problems using robotics, which fosters creativity and critical thinking with hands-on learning through building and programming robots.
Visit Infinity
Infinity Space Center is located just off 1-10, right next to the Mississippi Welcome Center off Exit 2.
Infinity’s hours of operation vary throughout the year. During the summer (June and July), they are open on Wednesdays—Sundays from 10 am—5 pm, and during the school year (August-May), they are open on Thursdays—Sundays from 9 am—4 pm.
Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 4-13, and FREE for children 3 and under. Infinity also offers discounted admission of $13 for Seniors, Military, and First Responders and a group rate of $9 per person for groups of 20 or more. In addition, on Senior Thursdays, admission is only $9 for Seniors.
