Discovery Museum and Planetarium facts for kids

The Discovery Science Center and Planetarium is a cool science museum for kids in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It's a fun place to visit and also helps schools learn about science. The center offers many exciting things. These include special classes, amazing planetarium shows, and the Challenger Learning Center. You can also see the Science on a Sphere and lots of different exhibits. All these things help kids get more interested in science.

History of the Discovery Science Center

The Discovery Science Center first started in 1958. It opened its doors to the public in 1962. Back then, it was called the Museum of Art, Science, and Industry. The museum is built on land that it leases. This agreement lasts until the year 2088.

In 2018, the museum received a big grant. It got $1.8 million from the state of Connecticut. This money helped them make many improvements. They upgraded the planetarium and made exhibits better. They also improved classrooms and theater spaces. Plus, they made energy-saving changes and fixed the elevators. A new roof was put on the Wonder Workshop building.

The center closed in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It stayed closed for financial reasons too. This 18-month closing allowed the museum to finish the big renovation project from 2018.

By January 2021, Sacred Heart University began to manage the museum. In September 2021, the museum officially reopened. It was then known as the Discovery Science Center & Planetarium.

Exciting STEM Learning Programs

The Discovery Science Center offers many hands-on STEM programs. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. They have over 80 different educational programs. These are great for school field trips and scout groups. The museum staff can even create special programs. These can match what schools are learning in class.

Summer STEM Adventures

The Discovery Science Center also runs 8 weeks of Summer STEM Programs. These are for young learners in grades K-9. Each week features new and exciting topics.

Special Weekend Events

Throughout the year, special weekend events are offered. These events cover topics like:

• Aeronautics (the science of flight)
• Space Exploration
• Earth Science
• Engineering

These special events include activities led by museum staff. They also partner with local universities and businesses. Local STEM experts often join in the fun too.

Challenger Learning Center Experience

The Challenger Learning Center is part of a worldwide network. These centers use space-themed activities. They create simulated missions and role-playing games. This helps students bring their classroom studies to life. It also helps them learn important skills. These skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. The Discovery Science Center is home to Connecticut's only Challenger Learning Center. It is one of 48 locations around the globe.

Henry B. duPont III Planetarium Shows

The Discovery Science Center's Planetarium is a special place. It has a huge domed ceiling that is 33 feet (about 10 meters) wide. Up to 85 people can sit and watch the shows. The planetarium was most recently updated in 2021. It uses a special Digistar projection system. This system creates amazing views of space.

Science on a Sphere Exhibit

On the lower level of the science center, you'll find Science On a Sphere (SOS). SOS is a large, room-sized display system. It uses computers and video projectors. These project planetary data onto a six-foot-wide animated globe. This exhibit opened in early 2016. It was part of the Discovery Science Center’s annual Space Day event.

Hundreds of data sets are available for viewing on SOS. Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) created SOS. It is an educational tool. It shows real-time data from Earth and other planets. This data is turned into detailed graphics.