Mid-America Science Museum in Hot Springs has a new permanent exhibit -- and right in time to entertain and engage kids while school is out for summer!

The Tinkering Studio is a hands-on creative space where visitors (adults, that means you too!) can take on an open-ended project in a form of play called tinkering. The exploratory practice has been used by innovators in science, technology, engineering and math including Thomas Edison and Steve Jobs.

In the studio, children are encouraged to use recycled materials such as egg cartons and cardboard tubes to build contraptions like a hand-crank toy and a flying contraption that can zip through the Wind Tubes.

On the Marble Wall, outfitted with supplies from the hardware store, curious minds can create a roller coaster and set a marble loose to roll through the course. Young animators can make an original drawing and watch it come to life in a zoetrope.

On your visit, don't forget to stop by Odyssey's Shipwreck! Pirates & Treasure, an exhibit that illuminates the technologies and treasures of deep sea exploration. It will remain on view through Sept. 4.

The Mid-America Science Museum is open daily from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Admission is $9; military, seniors ages 65 and up and children 3-12 $7; children under 3 free. For more information click here.