Milwaukie, Oregon - September 08, 2008 - Museum Tour (museumtour.com) announces the release of its 12th annual issue to consumers and educators nationwide. This catalog provides hands-on materials that continue the museum learning experience into the informal setting of the home. The focus and goal of this catalog is to inspire young minds and develop life-long learners.

The Museum Tour catalog was founded by Marilynne Eichinger, former educator and past president of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. In that capacity, Ms. Eichinger encountered parents who expressed a desire to extend the museum experience into their homes but were not sure how to go about it. "Parents understand the need to supplement their children's education and often look for advice on what to purchase," Eichinger says.

Museum Tour catalog plays a role by advising involved parents and educators on appropriate educational toys and supplemental hands-on materials to continue the museum learning experience. Just as museum exhibits have changed with the times, the opportunities for follow-up, at-home activities have also changed and expanded to meet this growing demand. Books, educational toys, Internet activities, CDs and DVDs can all provide an informal educational experience.

Following the lead of museums, the catalog is designed to appeal to the entire family. Based on Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences and Piaget's ideas about developmental learning, Museum Tour's products are selected to appeal to a variety of learning styles with the belief that anyone, at any age, can enjoy learning.

Products Inspired by Museums, Implemented at Home

Did you know that geodes are formed by bubbles in molten lava? Over time, surrounding minerals penetrate the bubbles, forming crystals within. For an awe inspiring experience, watch as a child cuts open a Geode and discovers the hidden beauty inside. This home based involvement may lead to an interest in geology, a desire to develop a rock collection, or the making of beautiful gem based jewelry. A child will be introduced to the skills that a museum curator, an artist, or scientist would develop in their professions. Museum Tour's geodes come with safety goggles and instructions.

The ArchiQuest™ Creative Building System replicates the architectural structures found in history, cultural or design museums. These heirloom-quality sets are made of solid wooden blocks printed with beautifully detailed designs inspired by architectural and historical masterpieces from around the world. Each set (Pharaohs & Pyramids, Kings & Castles, Dragons & Pagodas, Czars & Domes and Empire & Arches) includes information about the style and time period in a hardcover book.

Drive yourself creative with this marvel of engineering. A favorite with art museum gift shops, Ball of Whacks is made of 30 magnetic pyramids that can be taken apart and rearranged in endless ways. More versatile than a puzzle, it's a creativity tool - part brainteaser and part work of art. There's no right or wrong way to use it, just enjoy constructing innovative shapes and mosaics.

A miniature tornado such as the replicas found in science museums, Museum Tour's Tornado Maker mimics the effects of a real tornado by allowing you to create a spinning water funnel. It is complete with sound effects, speed control and a topside viewing window to look into the eye of the storm. With the included 35-page tornado fact book, you'll be an expert in no time.

Polydron gives aspiring architects and civil engineers an opportunity to build and test different bridge designs. Considered one of the best construction sets on the market, this kit mimics museum exhibits such as the Raise the Bridge exhibit at Cleveland's Great Lakes Science Center. Twelve cards give step-by-step instructions to piece together truss, suspension, cantilever, drawbridge, cablestay, swing and bascule bridges. A wonderful parent-child activity, design-inclined adults will enjoy Polydron just as much as kids.

Museum Affiliations

Twenty two museums nationwide have joined Museum Tour in its endeavor to extend the museum experience into homes and provide educational aids for parents. Museum members share in the company's profits. To date, Museum Tour has donated $250,000 to its museum members. (A full list of museums can be found on the back cover of the catalog.)

Museum Tour Catalog (museumtour.com) is located at 2517 SE Mailwell Drive, Milwaukie, Oregon, 97222. For further information, please contact Barbara Lund at 503-496-1256, barbl@museumtour.com. To request a catalog, consumers are asked to call 800-360-9116. All items are available on www.museumtour.com.

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