A team of mad scientists dressed in white lab coats rappelled from the ExplorationWorks rooftop with a pair of giant scissors Saturday morning, officially opening Helena's new museum of science and culture.

Mayor Jim Smith, joined by ExplorationWorks board member Tom Cladouhos and Great Northern developer Alan Nicholson, among others, cut a red ribbon shortly after 10 a.m. before opening the museum's doors.

"It's been an exciting few months," Claudouhos said. "It's been wonderful watching this vision become a reality."

"Not only is this is a wonderful addition to the community, and a wonderful addition to the Great Northern, but a great place for kids to come and learn new things," added Nicholson.

The excitement was hard for the little ones to suppress. Holding hands, children of all ages skipped and pranced through the freshly opened doors, eager to explore the new displays.

The inaugural exhibit, "Our Healer Within," offered visitors insight to the workings of the human body and holistic medicine, including the mind-body connection and preventative care.

Hannah Kerker sat poised before the cancer defender, learning the effects of the sun upon the body. Her mother, Christine, stood back and grinned as the second-grader advanced her burgeoning scientific knowledge.

"It's just amazing," said Christine. "We haven't even scratched the surface of what's in here."

Upstairs, Christine's older daughter, Kelsey, participated in the Girls in Science Program, preparing for a statewide competition in Bozeman by designing a green community using Lego building blocks.

"It's good to get girls more interested in science and math," said Christine.

Nearby, Evan Escovedo pulled a stethoscope over his ears and commenced listening to his heart.

His mother, Vanessa McNeill, asked if he could hear anything.

"This is great -- we've barely made it anywhere yet," McNeill said. "I think Helena has needed something like this for a long time. Especially with winter coming on, there's not much to do with little kids other than take them to the playland at Burger King."

The museum pulsed with the sound of beating hearts and gadgets on the go. Adults wandered the exhibits with a curious tilt of the head. Newly trained volunteers helped answer questions.

"I did a lot with the ExplorationWorks garden," said volunteer docent Jessica Lahr. "I learned about this at school at Capital High. I like interacting with kids, and I like biology."

Smith called the new museum a great addition to the community -- one that has the potential to bring new visitors to the city.

He also praised the facility for its eco-friendly design, adding that it would serve as a building model for years to come.

"It's great for our city at large and our economy," Smith said. "Why do people go to different places? They go to learn new things. They'll come from all over the country to experience what this community has put together."

Bruce Messenger, superintendent of Helena public schools, also lauded the museum as a new place for students to learn outside the classroom.

"It's a huge resource for the students in our schools," he said. "Students can have an experience here we couldn't possibly provide in a classroom setting. We're thrilled to be a part of this partnership."

To find out more about ExplorationWorks, go to www.explorationworks.org, or call 457-1800.

Reporter Martin Kidston: 447-4086, or mkidston@helenair. com