Time to splash: Washington Pavilion opens new interactive water exhibit

The water is flowing at the newest addition to the Washington Pavilion.

The Room to Grow exhibit in the Kirby Science Discovery Center has been reimagined thanks in part to a $1.2 million gift from the estate of Patricia Knutson.

It includes colorful, educational features to help kids learn about the phases of water through fog pipes, fog mushrooms and rain clouds.

Children also will explore how water moves through aqueducts, conveyors, faucets, river channels, squirt guns, whirlpools, fountains and more.

While kids as young as toddlers easily can explore the new exhibit, the Pavilion anticipates even adults will enjoy experimenting with it.

The donation from the Knutson estate was a record personal gift for the Pavilion. It was designated for the Kirby Science Discovery Center but otherwise had no restrictions or stipulations.

While it funded the new water exhibit, there also will be future improvements paid for by the donation.