Magic Springs Theme and Water Park will host its annual Education in Motion Days on Friday, May 10, and Friday, May 17, during which the park will be exclusively open to pre-ticketed students and educators for a unique learning opportunity.
"We do this to provide a school-specific event for a safe, educational, and fun day for students," Michelle Keeney, director of sales and marketing, said.
According to a news release, "tickets for EIM Days are just $19.99 plus tax per person, with an optional catered meal (choice of burger or hot dog, plus chips, cookie and drink) for $9.99 per person."
These discounted tickets can also be upgraded at the event to a 2024 season pass for an additional $19.99 plus tax per person.
"We are open specifically just for the schools, this keeps it exclusive for the students. That is why we require reservations in advance. This also acts as a safety measure for the students which remains our number one priority at the park. We do things daily to ensure everything in the park is ready for all of our guests," Keeney said.
EIM Days will give students the chance to experience education beyond the walls of the classroom through presentations, hands-on activities, and ride experiments.
Confirmed presenters that will be available to students include: The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts; Arkansas State University; Entergy; Girl Scouts Diamonds of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas; Hot Springs Police Department; Lake Catherine State Park staff; Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lake Ouachita Field Office.
"We think this day provides a unique learning opportunity for both the teachers and the students. They can use the rides for physics equations, testing the speeds. It is definitely a different outdoor classroom than what they are used to. These are things you cannot do on any normal day," Keeney said.
Magic Springs will also offer an opportunity for schools that are not able to attend either of the EIM Days. School Fundays will occur on weekends between May 4-19 and daily from May 25-31. Student groups attending Fundays will receive the same discounted ticket price of $19.99 per person during regular business operating hours.
The park staff members said they are eagerly awaiting the students' arrival.
"I love to be at the front gate to see the excitement on the students' faces when they enter the park. It's so fun to walk around and see them conducting experiments on rides and learning new things," Keeney said.
Reservations for EIM Days must be made by May 1. Information can be found at:
https://bit.ly/4cRyhLH
The park will kick off their summer season and open to the general public on May 4th. (The Sentinel-Record/Donald Cross)