Free Vision Screening for Children Ages 3-5

Vision screening, especially for young children, plays a critical role in detecting and preventing serious problems that can be lifelong and irreversible.

Did you know that...

~ 80% of what your child learns is through their sense of vision?
~ 1 in 20 preschoolers has a vision problem?
~ Children often don't realize that they are not seeing as they should and may not complain about signs of a vision problem?

Please join us for complimentary vision screenings for preschoolers ages 3-5 in little kidspace at COSI (333 West Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215) on the following dates:

Monday, January 19, 2009 (10am-12pm)
Monday, February 16, 2009 (10am-12pm)
Monday, March 30, 2009 (10am-12pm)
Monday, April 13, 2009 (10am-12pm)

No reservations are necessary.

Frogs: A Chorus of Colors

Frogs: A Chorus of Colors is a hands-on, minds-on adventure! Visitors can view LIVE frogs from all over the world, activate recorded frog calls, spin a zoetrope, and perform a virtual frog dissection. The exhibition explores all aspects of frogs: biology, natural history, their role in human cultures, their importance to ecosystems, and the peril they face in a changing environment. These amphibians are among the most visually stunning, vocally pleasing, and adaptively remarkable life forms on earth. If you've never thought of frogs as beautiful, this exhibition will change your mind! more info...

Wise About Eyes

Wise About Eyes is an interactive exhibit that explores how eye safety, health, and anatomy and the process of vision and why some people wear glasses. The Wise About Eyes exhibit features five interactive kiosks that provide high-tech activities and learning experiences to educate you and your family about how you can keep your eyes healthy and safe for your lifetime. Best suited for ages 5-12, the kiosks will be located across from WOSU@COSI. more info...

Wise About Eyes was developed as a joint venture between the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, Dayton, Ohio, and Prevent Blindness Ohio. The exhibit and associated programming are made possible through a grant from the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Child and Family Health Services, Save Our Sight Fund . Other supporters of Wise About Eyes include the Ohio Association of School Nurses, the Ohio Ophthalmological Society, the Ohio Optometric Association, and the Opticians Association of Ohio.

Funding for the Wise About Eyes exhibit is provided by the Ohio Department of Health, Bureau of Child and Family Health Services, Save Our Sight Program.

On loan from:

Canstruction at COSI

To feed the hungry. To lift the spirit. To change the world.

Location: COSI Traveling exhibit gallery (Next to Frogs exhibition)

Visit COSI to see colossal sculptures built by top architectural and engineering firms from thousands of cans of food. This years theme will incorporate sustainability & the environment.

The Columbus event is part of a national competition taking place in 100 cities throughout North America. The purpose of these amazing structures is to raise awareness and collect millions of pounds of food for local foodbanks.

For more information see: http://canstruction-columbus.com/

Guitar Hero World Tour Tournament

Calling Guitar Hero fanatics!
We know you got the fever to be a rock legend! It's time to live out your dreams, as COSI hosts its first Guitar Hero Tournament. Rock out on a live stage in front of a crowd of screaming adoring fans. We will be jamming to Guitar Hero World Tour songs on XBOX 360 and contestants will face off for hundreds of dollars in prizes and a chance to become almost famous. Rock On!

- Where: COSI, Columbus, Ohio
- When: Friday, March 27, 2009
- Time: 6:00pm to 10:00pm
- Contest Entry Fee: $15 per person (includes Family Friday Night admission to COSI), $10 per person for COSI Members
- Ages 13 and older may participate

Download detailed rules here (PDF) - now includes detailed PRIZE info!

COSI's Atomic Cafe and Extreme Screen concession stand will be open to provide food and drink options during the Guitar Hero Tournament.

Family Friday Night

On the last Friday of every month, COSI stays open late from 5pm to 9pm. Enjoy all of COSI with reduced admission, an Extreme Screen movie, and special theme events!

Featured Event: Green Spring Break
Movie: Wild Ocean
Other Features: Guitar Hero Contest, Canstruction

Every month there's something new to discover at Family Friday Night! more info...

Presenting Sponsor: National City
Promotional Partner: Columbus Parent

Spring Break

Stimulate your brain at COSI during spring break with eco-friendly fun at a wallet-friendly price! Enjoy a special exhibit with live Frogs from around the world, the new movie Wild Ocean on Ohio's largest screen, and daily science activities about protecting our planet. There are also special events planned every weekend! more info...

Wild Ocean

Wild Ocean is an action-packed, inspirational documentary exploring the interplay between man and our endangered ocean ecosystem. The film highlights one of nature's greatest migration spectacles, plunging viewers into an underwater feeding frenzy, an epic struggle for survival where whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, gannets and billions of fish collide with the most voracious sea predator, mankind. Filmed off the Wild Coast of South Africa and set to the rhythm of the local people, Wild Ocean reveals the economic and cultural impact of the ocean while celebrating the communal efforts to protect our invaluable marine resources. more info...

Film Sponsors: Nationwide and Yellow Book
Annual Presenting Media Sponsor: Time Warner Cable

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs

Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs follows researchers and explorers as they piece together the archeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies. These relics of the past create a window into the fascinating and mysterious world of the pharaohs. In addition to increasing our understanding of the culture, religion, medicine, and daily life thousands of years ago, scientists today are reconstructing mummy DNA and deciphering ancient texts to gain insight into modern human genetics and advance medical treatments. To unwrap the secrets of the pharaohs is to perhaps glimpse the future of our own civilization. more info...

Presenting Sponsor: American Electric Power
Annual Presenting Media Sponsor: Time Warner Cable