Walker County school system approved an exchange with the Creative Discovery Museum in Chattanooga during the December school board meeting.

A 1983 International bus long owned by Walker school system and known as “The Bug Mobile” has been sold to the museum in Chattanooga.

The Walker school system will gain a free family night conducted by the Creative Discovery Museums personnel at each of the nine elementary schools later this school year, at a value $4,450.

Schools can choose from four themes for the family night, including themes of bio-fuels, health, math and science.

Museum outreach teachers oversee the nine problem-solving activities for parents and children (kindergarten through fifth grade) to complete, including building a small rocket and other creative projects.

“Parents move from classroom to classroom doing each activity with their child,” said Jayne Griffin, director of education at the Creative Discovery Museum.

The museum’s personnel plan to transform the contents on the bus, along with a new name of “The Discovery Mobile.”

“We want to maintain that same outlook and update the technology,” Griffin said.

The overhaul will continue the concept of a rolling science lab, with newer microscopes and iPad-based science lessons.

The bus will make a one-day return to all of the elementary schools during the 2013-14 school year, including Saddle Ridge Elementary.

The visit will be a pilot project with museum educators, which are certified outreach teachers, giving lessons to all third-graders.

Teachers from the Walker County school system will help evaluate the lessons and offer suggestions to tailor the lessons toward curriculum standards, according to Griffin.

The deal will also provide a 20-percent discount on the bus program for two additional years, 2014-16.