Point Beach Energy Center – Two Rivers, WI

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Ever been to the Point Beach Energy Center in Two Rivers, WI?

If not, it’s an interesting & educational place to check out!

**and… it’s FREE!**

The Energy Center includes several nice displays and interactive exhibits that allow you to learn about physics and different types of energy.  I happened to visit on Earth Day this year (they even gave out spruce seedlings to visitors that day!), and there was a fun “Hair-Raising” Science Show that we caught the tail end of.  The room was full, and I was impressed by the extraordinary level of audience participation in the science demonstrations.  The kids in the room appeared to be having a blast!  And, as an adult, I was pretty entertained as well.  In addition to this presentation, various science related groups/clubs had tables set up with little demos to check out.  We didn’t have much time, so we didn’t check them out, but they looked pretty cool! There was even a robotics club there.

The main exhibit, which is open to the public on Tuesdays & Fridays from 11:00am-4:00pm (occasionally they have special events on Sundays, such as this Earth Day celebration).  “School, tour and civic groups” can also schedule tours, which take place on other days.

So here’s a brief look at some of what you may see on your visit to the Point Beach Energy Center:

Entering the main exhibit, and turning to the left, a sensor activates this awesome display which immediately drew my attention.  Behold, the “Jacob’s Ladder” display!  I could have watched this for awhile, it’s pretty amazing when you step back and start to think about all that goes into power and electricity.

Next there are some demos and details about the discoveries throughout time that have been built upon to get to where we are today.  Here we got a little refresher about Benjamin Franklin, and the kite experiment.

There were a few more displays about famous discoveries over the years, but then things started gearing more towards nuclear energy.  At this time, Point Beach Nuclear Plant is the only operating nuclear power plant in the state of Wisconsin.  This plant has 2 reactors, and I learned that it currently produces about 18% of the electricity in the state!  Wait, what?!  That’s A LOT!  I feel like a lot of people I’ve run into are not aware that there is a nuclear plant in WI, so that is even more impressive.

There are some amazing displays about how nuclear energy works, but lets be real, it is far too complicated for me to (try) to get into.  So you’d be better off checking out the energy center for yourself!

Hours:

Tuesdays & Fridays 11:00am-4:00pm for public

(occasional special events on Sunday, call 1-800-880-8463 for a schedule)

Admission:

FREE

Location:

6400 Nuclear Rd

Two Rivers, WI 54241