Imagine Planet works to be an accessible, free museum - MLive.com

JACKSON, MI -- Taking her five kids to museums was never easy for Jean McKim, especially with her son having autism.

“I know what it’s like if a child has a meltdown and you basically spend $100 only to have to leave and come back,” she said.

The constant challenge inspired McKim to create Imagine Planet, 632 E. Michigan Ave., a hands-on science center she opened in Jackson in 2015.

Imagine Planet is free, accessible and handicap friendly. It’s open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

McKim graduated from Yale University with a degree in geology and geophysics. She then received an elementary education teaching certificate from Spring Arbor University and attended graduate courses for geological science at the University of Michigan.

“A lot of children don’t have the opportunity for out-of-school learning, which is really important,” she said. “The school curriculum is pretty regimented, so this is a place for kids to explore their interests and curiosities.”

Imagine Planet educates visitors about astronomy, chemistry, physics, geology and paleontology. McKim hopes to eventually branch into robotics, she said.

Animals are used in many lessons, including parrots, doves, turtles, snakes, chinchillas and lizards.

“They’re good for adaptation and animal care lessons,” McKim said. “It shows how to be responsible with animals. We also have nocturnal and habitat programs, like animals from a jungle verse desert.”

McKim was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and while Imagine Planet remained open, the family took a step back to focus on her recovery, she said. Now she’s back in the science center and ready to work toward its growth.

McKim hopes Imagine Planet will eventually have a paid staff, a bigger space and be more financially stable to offer more opportunities for the kids, she said.

“We haven’t grown as much in the past year, but we were open through the radiation, chemotherapy, surgery and baldness,” McKim said. “Now we are trying harder to get out there. It’s a neat place to hang out or even get homework help.”

Imagine Planet also does outreach programs for schools and the Girl Scouts, and a 4-H club is set to start this month, with more details to be on its Facebook page soon. The outreach programs include learning with animals, rock and mineral programs, astronomy activities and small demonstrations of chemistry and physics.

The science center relies on donations, grants and volunteers. Most volunteers are middle school students and adults with disabilities, who mostly help with cleaning and showing visitors around the stations in the center, she said.

“Anyone can come in and get involved,” McKim said. “Just drop in if you have the time and see what needs to be done. We can always find you something. It’s a safe space for everyone.”

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