Discovery Centre facts for kids
Exterior of the Discovery Centre's new location
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| Established | 1990 |
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| Location | Halifax, Nova Scotia |
| Type | Science museum |
| Public transit access | Halifax Transit |
The Discovery Centre is a fun, hands-on science museum located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It's a special organization that helps kids and grown-ups get excited about science and technology. Their goal is to make learning about science interesting and easy to understand for everyone.
Contents
History of the Discovery Centre
The idea for the Discovery Centre started in the 1970s. Dr. Gehard Stroink from Dalhousie University began creating cool, interactive science displays. Richard Goldbloom and Liz Crocker joined him. They wanted to build a real science centre where people in Nova Scotia could always explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM).
At first, the Discovery Centre was a travelling show. It became a registered Nonprofit organization in 1985. Then, in 1989, it became a Charitable organization. In 1990, it opened its first physical location in Scotia Square. This space was about 5,000 square feet.
Five years later, the museum moved to a bigger spot at 1595 Barrington Street. It stayed there for 25 years, teaching science to many visitors.
In October 2010, the Discovery Centre announced it would move again. This time, it would go to the Halifax Seaport, right next to the Nova Scotia Power building. The Barrington Street location closed in July 2016. The new, much larger location opened its doors on February 12, 2017. This new building is twice the size of the old one!
Helping Communities During the Pandemic
In July 2021, the museum received a special grant of $50,000 from the Government of Canada. This money was for a project called “Why Immunize: Encouraging Vaccine Confidence in Mi'kmaw Communities.” It helped teach people about the importance of vaccines. This grant was part of a bigger program to encourage vaccine confidence across Canada.
The museum also received another grant of $392,000. This money came from the Public Health Agency of Canada. It helped the Discovery Centre work with different groups, including Black communities, Mi'kmaq peoples, and 2S/LGBTQIA+ groups. The goal was to share important information about health and vaccines.
Explore the Galleries
The Discovery Centre at its Lower Water Street location has five main areas, called permanent galleries. These are:
- Energy
- Health
- Flight
- Ocean
- Just for Kids!
There is also a special gallery space that changes its exhibits three times a year. This means there's always something new to see!
The Ocean Gallery
The Ocean Gallery opened in May 2018. It has a cool touch-tank where you can gently feel different sea creatures. These include many invertebrates (animals without backbones) and crustaceans (like crabs and lobsters) that live right here in Nova Scotia.
The Dome Theatre
The museum also has a 65-seat planetarium called the Dome Theatre. Here, you can learn all about space, stars, and even life science. It's like taking a trip through the universe without leaving your seat!
Innovation Lab and Bubble Room
The Discovery Centre also features an Innovation Lab. This is a place where you can get hands-on with technology. It has a 3D printer, and you can learn about coding and other exciting topics.
Another popular spot is the "Bubble Room." This fun exhibit has been a favorite since the museum was at its old Barrington Street location. Everyone loves making giant bubbles!
Special Exhibitions
The Discovery Centre often hosts temporary exhibitions, which are called Featured Galleries. These shows stay for a while and then are replaced by new ones.
One past exhibition was "Indigenous Ingenuity: Pjilaʼsi, welcome." This exhibit taught visitors about the amazing traditional knowledge and inventions created by First Nations people.
Museum Connections
The Discovery Centre is connected to many other important organizations. These include:
- The Canadian Museums Association
- The Canadian Association of Science Centres
- The Association of Science and Technology Centres
- The Virtual Museum of Canada
Being part of these groups helps the Discovery Centre share ideas and learn from other museums. The Discovery Centre is also "Rainbow Registered," which means it is a welcoming and inclusive place for everyone.
Images for kids
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Exterior of the Discovery Centre's new location
