Amazing, blazing full-sized Hot Wheels® cars zoom into The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis May 14, 2016 just in time for the 100th running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing – the Indianapolis 500.
Hot Wheels™: Race to Win™ is a family-friendly exhibit that is filled with hands-on immersive activities designed to demonstrate what makes real race cars go fast. It is all about power, safety and lots of speed. On select days, some visitors will even get to zip race cars down the iconic orange toy track with famous race car drivers from IndyCar, stock car, or the NHRA drag racing circuit.
Featuring Hot Wheels die-cast cars as well as actual race cars, Hot Wheels™: Race to Win™ invites children and families to suit up and join the Hot Wheels race team! Mom, dad, grandparents, and today’s youngest Hot Wheels fans will be invited to race each other in a timed, pit stop challenge to see who changes tires and fuels up the fastest. Families are also invited to take on the role of an engine by turning a crank to see how much more power is required to turn a large drag racing tire vs. a passenger car tire. They can also look under the hood and see pistons pumping in a cutaway engine and compare a variety of engine sounds made by different race cars. A car driven by four-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon is literally cut in half so visitors can see what internal elements make these magnificent machines work.
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“Racing, race cars and those who work in the field of racing are passions shared by multiple generations here in Indianapolis and around the world,” said Dr. Jeffrey H. Patchen, president and CEO, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. “We hope hands-on exploration and testing will not only encourage children and families to problem-solve together as they build tracks and test each car’s performance but will prompt parents and grandparents to share fond memories of their first toys and cars with the younger generation.”
There will be plenty of the iconic orange track and die-cast cars to test your own theories of physics and speed at the museum. And, you can take those concepts home to extend the learning with your family.
“Hot Wheels racing offers children a means of exploring scientific concepts such as gravity, velocity, and kinetic energy in an engaging and accessible way. It also encourages inquiry and real world problem-based learning through play,” said Cathy Southerland, Director Early Childhood Education, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
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Hot Wheels agrees that play and hands-on activities go a long way to helping children understand what would otherwise seem like difficult concepts. The Mattel Children’s Foundation and the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education worked together to develop Hot Wheels® Speedometry™, an education curriculum that combines Hot Wheels® fun, imagination, and action, as well as toys and track to accelerate learning. The Children’s Museum also has lesson plans for teachers and homeschoolers at www.childrensmuseum.org, click on educators to uncover more valuable learning guides.
Celebrating and inspired by the new film, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,Hot Wheels has built a one-of-a-kind full-sized vehicle: Hot Wheels Batman v Superman Twin Mill. The car is recognized as one of the most popular Hot Wheels castings in generations. It brings together Superman and Batman in a way that conveys plenty of super power Hot Wheels attitude. The Hot Wheels Batman v Superman Twin Mill will also make a pit stop this summer as an extension of the exhibit.
MORE INFO: The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is located at 3000 N. Meridian Street, just north of downtown Indianapolis. Call {317} 334-4000 or visit childrensmuseum.org for additional details, ticket prices and hours.
