HMS Beagle: Awesome geeky science store in Kansas City

Mat Mets of Make: Online visited a great science store in Kansas City called HMS Beagle.

While in town for the Kansas City Mini Maker Faire, we had the chance to visit the HMS Beagle, which is a gem of a science store located in nearby Parkville. Started by John and Carol Kuhns, they stock an impressive range of geeky equipment, from telescopes to model rockets, rock tumblers, and Arduinos. In addition, they also host science club meetings, star gazing parties, fossil digs, and other fun-sounding activities. If that isn't enough, they are also the home of Make: KC, an enthusiast group for Makers that meets in their shop on Tuesdays.

A visit to the HMS Beagle science store

Mark Frauenfelder is the founder of Boing Boing and the editor-in-chief of MAKE and Cool Tools. Twitter: @frauenfelder. Come and hear Mark speak at the ALA conference in Chicago on July 1.

More at Boing Boing

Eurovision 2013: An American in London

The technology that links taxonomy and Star Trek

Another Dave

in some states you can get busted for have a three necked flask so watch what you buy..i guess their used to make some sort of meth.
- Anonymous
  
  Buckets, pots and pans as well as coffee makers, milk bottles, etc., etc. are used to make illegal drugs.
Anonymous

There used to be a very similar store close to London Euston train station (in the UK) called ‘The Boffin Shop’ or ‘Lawrence Corner’. The Boffin Shop sold all manner of laboratory apparatus, instruments, medical equipment…some new but most second-hand or government surplus. They sold instruments from the cockpits of cold-war RAF planes and all manner of bizarre and absolutely amazing stuff. They would let you wander round browsing for hours without hassling you. Lawrence Corner (their sister shop across the road) sold weird and wonderful gowns, disguises and theatrical equipment and stage hardware. Sadly they closed down in the 1990s and have never come across anything as magical or interesting since. I really miss that place.
- Anonymous
  
  Laurence Corner re-opened as Squadron HQ, not far away in Camden Town. A quick web search for “Squadron HQ london” should find it
Anonymous

Crud. I used to live (until a year ago) just a 10 minute drive from there and I never knew it existed. I just wish my car was reliable enough to get me there and back again from where I live now.
arbitraryaardvark

http://www.sciplus.com/storeDetail.cfm?store=3
milwaukee has one sort of like that.
AnnieEek

I discovered the store earlier this year and love taking the kids there. This is an absolutely wonderful place, and quite a rare treat for this part of the country.
Anonymous

The second I saw that image my mouth started salivating, my foot started to move uncontrollably and a big smile came across my face. I’m surprised I didn’t get an erection.
BuzBit

I saw this post on MAKE this morning and geeked out. My girlfriend and I are making a trip up to Kansas City this weekend from lawton. I hope they aren’t closed for labor day.
- Anonymous
  
  We will be open on Labor Day.
Maggie Koerth-Baker

Parkville!

That’s where my husband is from! It’s a bit out of the way if you’re hanging out in KC proper, but it IS conveniently right between the airport and the city. So, there you go.
- Anonymous
  
  Yes, about 10 minutes out of the way from downtown Kansas City, MO.
BuzBit

Sweet I’ve never been to KC before so if we can find the place we’ll be there on Monday!
Anonymous

HMS Beagle is a great store! :)

For those planning to visit — the last bit of getting to the store can be a little tricky the first time. Do a Google Street View recon of the intersection where Route 9 makes its 90 degree bend and onward, in particular. It can be easier to come down Main St. if you’re coming from the north.
Chris Spurgeon

Holy crap, that place looks amazing!

I wonder if anyone has compiled a list of science stores throughout the country?
mdh

how has Homeland Security (or a throng of ill- informed and over-concerned parents)(same difference, really) not closed this place down yet?
Prufrock451

!!! I’m going to be in Kansas City in a week. HOLY CRAP.
Anonymous

Kansas City Mini Maker Faire? How did i not know about this? im now officially bummed out…
- Anonymous
  
  Coming next year, 2011 KC Mini Maker Faire
  makekc.org
tonkelu

We live in KC and I can’t wait to take the kids to check this out! Awesome!
- Anonymous
  
  We’ve been here 6 years! What’s been keeping you?
Anonymous

Even in Germany such places become rare. There is one in Berlin (Fiebig Lehrmittel, Langenscheidstrasse 10) selling the apparatus but had to limit selling chemicals to am large degree. There seems to be a global hysteria about everything chemical spreading around in combination with children growing up knowing nothing about the simple pleasures of scientific experiments (beyond jailing poor ants in a jar).
When I visit the US next time, I’ll come to your place. Do you have an Online Store?
Anonymous

Kansas City, Kansas? or Kansas City, Missouri? Makes a big difference to this Oklahomie
- Anonymous
  
  Parkville, Missouri, actually.
scruss

Park University in Parkville has a bunch of its campus underground, tunnelled into the limestone bluffs. It’s pretty neat.