The Infinity Science Center recently unveiled several new exhibits now available at the center’s Earth Gallery.

These additions bring more value to the Hancock County tourist attraction.

Director of Communications Mary Douglas said funds for the exhibits were made available through the Natural Resource Damage Assessment Grant awarded in BP Deepwater Horizon settlement.

The exhibits help visitors understand the Earth and its processes, gain insight into the local habitat and learn ways to protect the planet.

One of the three exhibits added to the gallery is the deep ocean explorer, where visitors get a chance to embark on a deep ocean excursion through the Gulf of Mexico. It simulates a dive that allows visitors to observe a variety of sea life, Douglas said.

Also added to the exhibits is an inundation station. It has two components; the first allows visitors to build their own fictitious coastal city to see if it can withstand a storm surge, Douglas said. The model allows the visitors to see how a surge would affect a sparsely populated area, densely populated area, structures built on stilts and structures in low lying areas. The areas are then flooded using a computer simulation to estimate the economic loss and how many people will be displaced in the event of a flood related disaster.

The second component of the station is called the sandbox where visitors can build mountain peaks, hills or dig out valleys before computer simulated water streams flood the sandbox, Douglas said. The activity provides an understanding of how water acts based on elevation.

The gallery also has a new 3D theater with a state-of-the-art laser projection system and surround sound. The theater seats 90 guests at a time and is currently screening two movies, Douglas said.

Douglas said the center’s staff is excited to offer these new exhibits, which provide an interactive and hands-on experience to visitors and increase the center’s status as a comprehensive science center.

“We have a lot of offerings about the history of the space program, however these exhibits help us understand our own planet and why it is important to take care of it,” she said.

The Infinity Science Center is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more about the center visit http://www.visitinfinity.com/plan-your-visit/hours-admission/.