My husband and kids and I have talked about this at length many times, especially before the last vote on the issue. What was great was the organized chaos at the old location. Just as soon as you finished one exhibit, there was another right in front of your nose! There was an energy about the place.
The volunteers were great! Teens loved to volunteer their time at the old COSI! Many needed to put in service hours for their schools and COSI was a great place to do it. Not so any more!
I practically raised my kids at the old COSI. We were there at least once a month for a long time. I used to take my Girl Scouts on overnights there. It was always a blast! Exhausting but fun!
The new COSI just doesn't have the appeal of the old one. We've been several times. My (now) teenagers don't like the atmosphere there enough to volunteer, but it was something they always dreamed about doing when they were younger.
Somehow, the passion for it is all wrong. I think they could do a lot to jazz it up, and give it the feel of the old one to a degree. Just my personal opinion: ever since Kathryn Sullivan came on board, it has steadily gone down hill.
Going to COSI used to be the greatest thrill of any kid, but ask them now, and you'll find that they aren't anywhere as excited as they used to be. I'm glad my kids still have their memories! I wish we could make better ones for the kids now.