Greensboro Science Center facts for kids
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| Date opened | October 15, 1957 |
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| Location | Greensboro, North Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°07′48″N 79°50′03″W / 36.1299°N 79.8341°W |
| Annual visitors | 600,744 (July 2022 to June 2023) |
| Memberships | AZA, AAM |
| Major exhibits | OmniSphere Theater, Animal Discovery Zoological Park, Wiseman Aquarium, SKYWILD, SciPlay Bay |
The Greensboro Science Center is an exciting place in Greensboro, North Carolina. It's a unique spot that brings together a science museum, a zoo, and an aquarium! It first opened its doors in 1957. The center was once known as the Natural Science Center of Greensboro. Before that, it was called the Greensboro Junior Museum.
The Greensboro Science Center is recognized by important groups. It has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2008. It is also a member of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This means it meets high standards for animal care, education, and visitor experiences.
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History of the Center
The Greensboro Science Center (GSC) began as the Greensboro Junior Museum in 1957. By 1997, it was already a popular spot. About 200,000 people visited each year. The number of visitors has continued to grow over time.
The center received a special accreditation in 2008. This was from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This accreditation is a sign of high quality. It also lets visitors with AZA memberships get discounts. They can save money on admission at the Greensboro Science Center.
The GSC has grown a lot with new additions. In May 2011, the Extreme Weather Gallery opened. This was part of a big $20 million makeover. In May 2015, the center opened Skywild. This is a fun tree-top adventure park. The largest addition in the center's history opened on June 4, 2021. This exciting new area is called Revolution Ridge.
What to Explore at the Center
The Greensboro Science Center offers many cool attractions. You can learn about animals, weather, and even space!
Animal Discovery Zoological Park
The Animal Discovery Zoological Park is home to many amazing creatures. You can see red pandas, Sumatran tigers, and okapis. There are also pygmy hippos and maned wolves. Other animals include servals, sand cats, and fishing cats. You might also spot white-nosed coatis, meerkats, and fossa.
The zoo also has black howler monkeys and silvery gibbons. Look for red ruffed lemurs and ring-tailed lemurs. Large birds like cassowaries live here too. Don't miss the giant Aldabra tortoises and Nile crocodiles. This park teaches about the "Science of Survival." It shows how animals adapt to their environments. Inside the zoo, you can visit the Friendly Farm. There's also the Kavanagh Discovery House.
Museum Exhibits
The Museum section has interactive exhibits. SciPlay Bay is a fun area for younger visitors. The Extreme Weather Gallery teaches about different types of weather. You can also visit touch labs. Here, you might get to touch live snakes, lizards, and insects.
Prehistoric Passages: Realm of Dragons is a special exhibit. It features a komodo dragon. This large lizard moves between an indoor display and an outdoor area in the zoo.
OmniSphere Theater
The OmniSphere Theater is a full-dome theater. It offers amazing experiences in 2D and 3D. You can feel like you're traveling through space. Or you can dive deep into colorful coral reefs. It's a truly immersive experience.
Wiseman Aquarium
The Wiseman Aquarium is filled with fascinating water creatures. You can see graceful stingrays and playful African penguins. There are also clever Asian small-clawed otters. Look for different types of sharks and unique mata matas. You can also observe glowing moon jellies and many other fish species.
Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel
The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel is the largest carousel in North Carolina. It features animals that represent the science center. You might ride a Red Panda, an Octopus, or even a Dinosaur! It also has state mascots like the NC State Wolf. This ride costs extra, but it's fun for all ages. It is also designed to be accessible for everyone.
Winter Wonderlights
Winter Wonderlights is a newer holiday attraction. It started in 2020. Visitors can walk through a beautiful display of holiday lights. It's a magical experience for the whole family during the winter season.
Major Developments and Expansions
In 2009, Greensboro voters approved a $20 million bond. This money was for the Natural Science Center. A large part of it, $10 million, was used for the SciQuarium. This amazing aquarium holds 250,000 US gallons of water. It is home to more than 75 species of animals. It also has a special cownose ray touch tank. The SciQuarium opened in the summer of 2013.
The remaining $10 million was planned for other renovations. These updates improved existing parts of the GSC. A master plan guided these changes. Phase 2 included updates to the museum. Phase 3 brought new animals. These included pygmy hippos, cassowaries, and red pandas. This exhibit was first called "Endangered Species Village." It later became what is known today as "Revolution Ridge."
