Huron Perth Ag Science Centre will be

MIKE WILSON

Jill Lewis has a vision.

Lewis, co-founder of the Huron Perth Ag Science Centre, envisions providing a place in Huron and Perth counties where people of all ages can learn and explore the world of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts/agriculture and mathematics) in a fun, handson environment.

The Huron Perth Ag Science Centre will, as the name states, be focused on agriculture and science, and located somewhere in Listowel.

Lewis’ initial idea was to bring a children’s museum to North Perth following a family trip to Chicago, where she visited the Chicago Children’s Museum. “I had never been to a children’s museum before, had no idea what it was going to be about – I pictured, in my head, a traditional museum with exhibits on the wall, lots of reading and learning and history,” she recalled. “In fact, a children’s museum is all play-based, interactive, fun exhibits. It was amazing. I could see how all sorts of kids would learn in this environment where they were directing the play, they got to choose how long they were playing in each exhibit.”

Lewis explained the kids could visit a fire truck exhibit, for example, and play with the equipment and get a hands-on experience.