The Perot Museum of Nature and Science has cut the ribbon on a remodeled Lamar Hunt Family Sports Hall. This year, the museum celebrates its 10th birthday.
The revamped sports hall includes additions to the museum's "Speed Wall." People have been able to race dinosaurs, other animals, and some athletes. Now, several Texas natives have been added to the wall:
- Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes
- Dallas Wings forward Moriah Jefferson
- FC Dallas midfielder Paxton Pomykal
- Olympic sprinter Ronnie Baker Jr.
- Paralympian Élodie Tessier
- Cross country champion runner Natalie Cook
"There's a tremendous amount of science in sports whether you're talking about math and statistics and how teams are performing, to the geometry of basketball and how shots are made," Perot Museum's Eugene McDermott Chief Executive Officer Linda Silver. "It presents the opportunity for children to understand and value science and discipline in sports."
Silver says the exhibit can help spark a student's interest in science at a young age.
"This is something you can't replicate online or in a book," Silver said. "It's really an experiential opportunity."
"Our dad loved Dallas, and the Perot is such a tremendous asset to Dallas, so it's really just a win-win-win," Lamar Hunt's daughter Sharron said. "Dad never met a museum he didn't like, so how he would have loved this!"
Clark Hunt, one of Lamar Hunt's sons, said Lamar loved games because they brought people together.
"The Speed Wall and the entire Sports Hall continue his legacy in so many ways," Clark said. "The spirit of this room, the fun, the curiosity and the innovation are all a testament to my dad's pioneering spirit."
At the ribbon-cutting Wednesday, students from Momentous Institute were able to race athletes. Several, including former FC Dallas star Kenny Cooper, attended in person.
"I feel honored to be able to race with him because not many people get to do that," student Leo Marcos said. "It was a fun experience. I don't know how to put it into words. It was really cool."
Marcos says he hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon.
"In a book, you can think about it and you can experience it in your mind, but here, you can physically see it happening," Marcos said. "It's really cool. It's a very fun experience."
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is using timed entry. Tickets can be bought here.
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