Manayunk science shop aims to spark scientific creativity

Matt Kriebel, owner of Spectrum Scientifics on Main St., opened his Manayunk store in 2007 because of his passion for science and education. 

“We have decent products that will help kids to actually learn something. The bottom line is that we are failing to teach our kids science in school. We need to have science in the everyday lives of children and have them truly understand it,” Kriebel said.

He hopes his shop provides a fun and unique atmosphere for children and families to learn together. 

Kriebel previously worked at The Franklin Institute as well as Orion Telescopes and Binoculars.

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Brian Hassinger, a customer, said he bought a telescope from the store last Christmas and appreciated the knowledge that Kriebel brings to the shop with his background in the science field. 

Christiane Wuerzinger said her 4-year-old daughter loves going to the store and wants to buy experiments all the time. “Anyone with children should go to the store. It’s like a museum for children,” Wuerzinger said.

The shop is also nostalgic for college students who remember the scientific kits and gadgets from their own childhood, Kriebel said.

He is currently working with students at Temple University to start science programs for local youth. He said he hopes to have programs begin as early as this summer.

Jon Ristaino and Kailey Meitzler are students at Temple University. Philadelphia Neighborhoods, a NewsWorks content partner, is an initiative of the Temple Multimedia Urban Reporting Lab.

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