Jeanne Gerulskis Science Playground

Welcome to the Science Playground

The playground is open when the Discovery Center is open to the public, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., weather permitting.

Please note that the playground may close due to inclement weather, unsafe conditions, or scheduled maintenance. Call (603) 271-7827 for day-by-day information on the playground's status!

Access to the Science Playground is included with general admission. Guests must enter and exit through the building.

A staff member will be there for activities and to ensure safety. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

During phase II of the playground construction, its availability may change. Any closures or delays will be announced on this page and our social media.

Playground structure in the shape of a rocket with red and blue slides, set on wood chips with trees and a street in the background under a blue sky.
A poster with a light blue background and a blue rocket illustration in the upper right corner. The poster encourages safe exploration with the acronym 'BLAST' where B stands for Be Careful, L for Learn & Explore, A for Act with Kindness, S for Share Space with Others, T for Take Turns, O for Open Eyes & Listening Ears, F for Feet First Down Slides, and F for Footwear for Play, emphasizing safety tips for play and exploration.
A close-up image of pinto beans. The left side of the image contains an orange and blue graphic with text about a science playground activity called 'Bean in a Bag' for Earth Month.

Science Playground Activity

Take home your very own bean and a bag and observe the seeds over time as they begin to sprout and grow. This experiment demonstrates the process of seed germination and plant development. As the beans grow, participants can track changes in size, root development, and the emergence of leaves, helping them understand the conditions necessary for plant growth, such as water, air, and light. It's a fun, visual way to explore the life cycle of plants.

A girl with large green hair clip playing a rainbow-colored xylophone outdoors near a brick building at the McAuley-Shepard Discovery Center.
A space shuttle ride in a playground with an astronaut helmet with a reflective gold visor, United States flag, and the words 'United States' printed on it, situated outdoors on wood chips.
A McAuley-Shepard Discovery Center employee stands at a table with colorful beach toy buckets and shovels, promoting a beach clean-up event for children outdoors with a brick building in the background.
A woman, a McAuley-Shepard Discovery Center employee with glasses and an orange shirt, is teaching children at a tabletop science exhibit outside on a sunny day.
An outdoor table with a musical toy that has multiple metal plates and two black mallets, near a brick wall and bushes.
A black, yellow, and white caterpillar with striped pattern on a green leaf surrounded by other green leaves.
Children playing with bubbles at an outdoor event, with a playground in the background.
The Jeanne Gerulski Science Playground at the McAuley-Shepard Discovery Center features a rocket-shaped jungle gym with a red slide and wood chips on the ground.