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The Mobile Science Museum (M.S.M.) began its visitations back in October of 1980. A large (27 ft.) mobile home was converted into a mobile hands-on laboratory that brings to its guests a broad array of interactive exhibits, which were designed to heighten people’s enthusiasm for understanding of the natural sciences. For example, three of the M.S.M.’s more popular interactive exhibits are its Marine Touch Tank (described on the "Some Exhibits of the M.S.M." page), the Lightning Sphere, and the Motion Chair (also described on the "Some Exhibits of the M.S.M." page). The M.S.M. contains well over 40 separate interactive exhibits, which are cycled on a regular basis to provide a unique experience for every guest’s visit to the M.S.M. The M.S.M. is staffed by Jim McKibben (Museum Director), and volunteer student docents who are involved in the science disciplines at C.S.U.L.B. The strength of the volunteer docents’ enthusiasm for the sciences is so contagious that the guests of the M.S.M. are quickly caught up in the same enthusiasm. It is this contagious enthusiasm that has made the M.S.M. such a great success in bringing science to life before its guests‘ eyes. Since its inception, the M.S.M. has brought its exhibits to well over 400,000 enthusiastic guests of all ages across the Los Angeles and Orange Counties. As well the M.S.M. can be found open during the weekend of the annual Kaleidoscope festival on-campus at C.S.U.L.B. In 1988 the M.S.M. received a Science Teaching Recognition Award from the National Science Teacher’s Association and the American Gas Association for a creative and innovative approach to science education. The M.S.M. has been the subject of numerous articles written in educational journals. The M.S.M. has visited the junior high schools in Long Beach Unified School District on a rotating basis with support from the C.S.U.L.B. Alumni Association and the Industry Education Council of Long Beach. The M.S.M. visits to local schools are also underwritten by private sector contributions. This partnership between the University, industry and local schools has proven to be a winning and rewarding project for all. Because the M.S.M. is staffed by volunteer student docents it is difficult to get enough volunteers to staff the M.S.M. during the last two weeks of the C.S.U.L.B. semesters, so no trips are scheduled during those times.
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