By Amanda Carswell

With bus loads of students arriving every few minutes, the Museum of Science opened its doors to area college students for its eighth annual College Night Monday.

The museum provided free access to its 550 interactive exhibits, as well as complimentary admission to Omni and Planetarium presentations. Duck Boat Tours were also included.

“It’s a good time to familiarize students with the museum before they get inundated with activities going on,” said Carole McFall, spokeswoman for the museum.

One of the major draws of the night was “The Lord of The Rings Motion Picture Trilogy – The Exhibition.” Students paid a $5 admission fee to view the exhibit, which normally costs $19.

“The exhibit was amazing. I was very intrigued by the costumes and you saw all the sets and everything,” said Jackie Antico, a sophomore graphic design and photography major. “I’m a ‘Lord Of The Rings’ fan … diehard. It was amazing.”

The exhibit displayed hundreds of pieces of movie memorabilia, including costumes, props and even “the ring.” Students could also purchase “Lord of the Rings” products such as hobbit feet and elf ears in the gift shop.

Music was a big part of the night as well. DJs from local Boston station, KISS 108 FM, set up on the first level in the “Red Wing” and played music while holding raffles. In the Charles Hayden Planetarium, a variety of laser shows ran throughout the night. For an hour, an audience was witness to a highly synchronized combination of laser images and music from such artists as U2, Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

The Mugar Omni Theater allowed students to follow base jumpers off buildings and scientists as they chased massive tornadoes in two of the large format films that the museum offered.

In another of the favorite exhibits, college students were reverted to elementary students again as they played in the educational playground located on the third floor. Students used weights, levees and wheels to learn basic physics principles.

If all this learning left them hungry, students could purchase individual pizzas and wraps at the Galaxy Caf