Connecticut Science Center facts for kids
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Connecticut Science Center, Hartford, CT on the Riverfront
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| Established | 2009 |
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| Location | 250 Columbus Boulevard Hartford, Connecticut, United States |
| Type | Science museum |
| Public transit access |   906, 907, 910, 919, 921, 950, CB |
The Connecticut Science Center is an exciting museum in Hartford, Connecticut. It sits right by the Connecticut River. This amazing nine-story building was designed by the famous architect César Pelli.
The museum first opened its doors on June 12, 2009. It's a huge place, covering about 154,000 square feet. A big part of that space, about 40,000 square feet, is filled with fun, hands-on exhibits. You can explore videos, listen to audios, see cool visuals, and touch different things. There are also special programs and live shows to enjoy!
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Building the Connecticut Science Center
Planning for the Connecticut Science Center started way back in 2001. The main goals for this museum were simple. They wanted to help young people in Connecticut learn more about science. They also hoped to help make the city of Hartford a more lively and exciting place.
The state of Connecticut helped a lot with money for the museum. They gave over $100 million. The total cost to build the museum was $165 million. The rest of the money came from generous businesses, foundations, and individuals.
A Green Building: Power from a Fuel Cell
The Connecticut Science Center is special because it's one of the first science centers to make most of its own power. It uses something called a fuel cell right on site! This was a big step for the museum. It helped them become a "Gold Level" LEED Certified green building. This means it's designed to be very good for the environment.
The fuel cell is called a 200-kilowatt PureCell System. It was built by a company called UTC Power. This system creates 100 percent of the electricity the Science Center needs. The PureCell System uses natural gas to make power. But it doesn't burn the gas like a regular power plant.
Instead, it uses a special process called an electrochemical process. This process creates direct current electricity, heat, and water. A small amount of carbon dioxide gas is also released, but it's much less than what comes from burning fuels.
The Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation Science Theater
Get ready for an amazing movie experience at the Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation Science Theater! This theater has stadium-style seating for over 200 people. It features a giant screen that is 30 feet tall and 40 feet wide.
The sound system is super powerful, with 18,000 watts of Dolby sound. You'll also get to wear special glasses for Dolby 3D technology. This makes movies and shows feel like they are really happening around you!
See also
