Telus World of Science Gift Shop

I came here with the husband and some friends for the Daft Punk Laser Show. We decided not to pay the general admission cost to check out the rest of the TWoS because, basically, it’s been done. The exhibits lack luster, and are very out dated. More or less of a «been there, done that» type. However, the laser show was actually pretty good. The Margaret Zeidler theatre housed us as laser patterns swooped and swirled around, and electronic music from Daft Punk played. For $ 10, it was what it was. The theatre is in need of some upgrades. The play list could have been better, as Daft Punk has a lot of great tracks, and the sound in the theatre was less than prime. I guess I have been spoiled by going to too many movies. I enjoyed the lasers that actually had some sort of substance and story (the outlines of the two guys from Daft Punk were awesome) but that’s just my opinion. Would I go again? Probably!

We always visit the gift shop after a fun day at the Science Centre. Love love LOVE their geeky science t-​shirt wall. You could literally come here for any shirt need to dress up like a character from the Big Bang Theory.
The staff are friendly and easily accessible.
So why only four stars? I always find the prices on general items here to exceed what I would pay at a chain retailer. I always appreciate it when a gift shop offers items in the $ 1-​$ 5 range to let my littles pick out an item or two but both my kiddos’ under 6 find that difficult here.
The store itself is beautiful, surrounded by windows, letting in lots of natural light.
So what do I need to make it 5 stars? Lower prices, that’s all.

This store includes a wide variety of geeky/​sciencey/​Edmonton/​exhibit related items. Sometimes I wish there were more items aimed at my demographic, as I’m no longer a child/​youth, but then I would spend more money when I visited and that would not be so great! Sometimes I just like checking out all the awesome Giant Microbes or other plush items.
On my most recent visit I purchased quite a few different Edmonton and Alberta themed postcards for use when sending postcrossing cards. While I don’t often buy things here, I do often browse when I have the time during a Telus World of Science visit. It is quite a great store and with The Science Shop in Southgate mall closing, this store might become even more valuable — though I wish it carried more (I always wish it carried more!).

The gift shop has improved from the last time I was in. They still have the little gadgets and gifts around the cash area but they have more tshirts and displayed on the wall so you it’s easy to browse them.
They still have space ice cream sandwiches, rocks, and giant microbes. The microbes are cute and fun! I started giving them to my niece about 10 years ago and her collection includes the rhinovirus (common cold), kissing disease (mono), and shigella (stomach bug). Who wouldn’t want to give their best friend/​enemy a microbe? The cost is about $ 13 now which is about $ 5 more than what I paid.
There’s always the section for the current exhibit and IMAX. Lots of plush pandas of different sizes including cute pink ones! There were a few Indian Jones items, including a fedora hat. They still have Star Wars tshirts (discounted) and items from the exhibit last year.
It’s great to see lots of Science kits and books for kids of all ages. I really liked shopping for my niece and nephew here when they were younger as there was always something neat and cool to get them.
They offer a 20% discount for TWOS members, and sell gift cards too. If you are looking for an unique Science gift, check this place out!

They have some interesting toys and t-​shirts, that I might buy on impulse for a child or girl friend, but really I don’t need anything from there. Good for smiles :)

I have pretty much no interest at all in any of the items at this gift shop but that doesn’t mean it’s not cool.
A kid would absolutely love this place. It’s great because they don’t just carry random things, every item can provide some cool knowledge as well as fun. They carry glow in the dark items, telescopes, different experiments, books, etc. Sure it’s another way for the Science center to get money out of you but some of these things can be worth it.
Even if you don’t want to buy anything it’s cool to check out.

I always had a thing for gift shops. I could be anywhere, Niagara Falls, the ocean, The Eiffle town, in a desert, and if there’s a gift shop around in the area you can’t keep me from browsing for useless kitsch. Even at the Telus World of Science, where most of the stuff is scientific and geeky, it’s still fun to putter after a trip to see the exhibits.
I’ve never bought anything here. It seems I have no use for plastic planets, glow-​in-​the-​dark bones, test tube kits for experiments. But it’s still fun to look and be reminded of the merits of smart toys — ones that educate, stimulate and inspire creativity — not just fantasy, hedonism and consumerism. Gulp.

The gift shop is the World of Science’s last chance to gouge your pockets before you leave. That being said, this is still a really cool gift shop, and it’s hard to leave without buying anything. This place kind of makes learning cool. They sell telescopes, a lot of really interesting books, and cool toys like gyroscopics. I especially like the geode rocks that you get to break open yourself. Inside, there are sparkling gems. They aren’t worth anything, but they really pretty! Although there’s a lot of cool learning going on in this store, there’s a lot of pure marketing. Things like glow-​in-​the-​dark stars, candy, and keychains are not learning tools at all, but just money makers. This store is can be pretty expensive too, and you can get most of the same merchandise at science and hobby shops in Edmonton.