Discovery Museum and Planetarium facts for kids
| Former name | Discovery Museum and Planetarium |
|---|---|
| Established | 1958 |
| Location | 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut |
| Type | Science Center |
| Visitors | 65,000+ (annual) |
| Owner | Board of Trustees |
| Executive Director | Erika Eng |
| Board Chairman | Robert Panza |
The Discovery Science Center and Planetarium is a fun, hands-on science museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It's a great place for families to visit and also helps schools teach science. The center offers exciting activities about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
It helps young people explore, ask questions, and solve problems. This prepares them for future challenges. The museum wants to inspire curiosity and creativity. It does this through interactive exhibits and cool learning programs. You can enjoy educational shows, planetarium presentations, and special exhibits.
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History of the Discovery Science Center
The Discovery Science Center first opened its doors in 1962. It was originally called the Museum of Art, Science, and Industry. The museum is built on land that it leases until the year 2088.
In 2018, the museum received a large grant. This money helped them upgrade the planetarium and improve exhibits. They also updated classrooms, theaters, and the roof.
The center closed for a while in March 2020. This allowed them to finish the big renovation project. In January 2021, Sacred Heart University began to manage the museum.
The museum officially reopened in September 2021. It was then named the Discovery Science Center & Planetarium.
Exciting STEM Learning Programs
The Discovery Science Center offers many hands-on STEM programs. They have over 80 different educational programs. These are perfect for school field trips, scout groups, and special events.
The museum staff can even create custom programs. These can match what you are learning in school. The center also runs 8 weeks of Summer STEM Programs. These are for kids in grades K-9, with new topics each week.
Special weekend events happen all year long. Topics include Aeronautics (the science of flight), Space Exploration, Earth Science, and Engineering. These events feature activities led by museum staff and partners. These partners include local universities and businesses.
Challenger Learning Center Experience
The Challenger Learning Center is a special part of the museum. It is one of 48 centers around the world. These centers use space-themed simulations to help students learn.
You can role-play and solve problems like real astronauts. This helps you practice important skills. These skills include problem-solving, critical thinking, and teamwork. The Discovery Science Center is home to Connecticut's only Challenger Learning Center.
Henry B. duPont III Planetarium Shows
The Discovery Science Center's Planetarium has a large, 33 feet (10 m) domed ceiling. It can seat up to 85 people. The planetarium was last updated in 2021.
It uses a modern 4k Digistar System for presentations. This system has amazing capabilities. You can see incredible images of stars, planets, and galaxies.
Science on a Sphere Exhibit
On the lower level of the science center, you'll find Science On a Sphere (SOS). This is a room-sized display system. It uses computers and projectors to show planetary data.
This data appears on a six-foot wide animated globe. The SOS exhibit opened in early 2016. It was part of the center’s annual Space Day event. Guests and groups can view hundreds of different data sets.
Researchers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) created SOS. It's an educational tool that shows Earth System science. SOS turns real-time data from Earth and other planets into stunning graphics.
