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 awesome place in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. It's a cool mix of a science museum and a zoo! It first opened its doors in 1957.
This center is recognized by important groups like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). This means it meets high standards for caring for animals and teaching visitors.
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History of the Science Center
The Greensboro Science Center, or GSC, started as the Greensboro Junior Museum in 1957. It grew a lot over the years! By 1997, about 200,000 people visited every year. That number kept growing, reaching over 430,000 visitors by 2017.
In 2008, the GSC became officially recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This is a big deal! It means if you have a membership at another AZA zoo, you might get a discount when you visit the Greensboro Science Center.
The GSC has added many exciting things over time. In 2011, they opened the Extreme Weather Gallery. Then, in 2015, they launched Skywild, a fun tree-top adventure park. The biggest addition yet, Revolution Ridge, opened in 2021.
Amazing Attractions to Explore
The Greensboro Science Center has many different areas to discover. Each one offers a unique and exciting experience!
Animal Discovery Zoological Park
The Animal Discovery Zoological Park is where you can meet many incredible animals. It's designed to teach you about how animals survive in the wild. You might see red pandas, huge Sumatran tigers, and unique okapis.
Other animals include pygmy hippos, maned wolves, and speedy servals. You can also spot sand cats, fishing cats, and playful meerkats. Look out for fossa, black howler monkeys, and silvery gibbons swinging around.
The zoo also has colorful red ruffed lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, and giant Aldabra tortoises. Don't miss the impressive Nile crocodiles! Inside the zoo, you can visit the Friendly Farm and Revolution Ridge.
Interactive Museum Exhibits
The Museum section is full of hands-on fun. You can explore SciPlay Bay, which is great for younger kids. The Extreme Weather Gallery teaches you about different types of weather.
There are also touch labs where you can learn about live snakes, lizards, and insects. One special exhibit, Prehistoric Passages: Realm of Dragons, has a real komodo dragon! This amazing lizard can move between its indoor and outdoor homes.
OmniSphere Theater
Step into the OmniSphere Theater for an immersive experience. This full-dome theater makes you feel like you're right in the middle of the action. You can travel through space to see stars or dive deep into the ocean to explore coral reefs. They show movies in both 2D and 3D!
Wiseman Aquarium
The Wiseman Aquarium is home to many fascinating water creatures. You can see graceful stingrays gliding through the water. Watch the playful African penguins and clever Asian small-clawed otters.
The aquarium also has different kinds of sharks and unique mata matas. You'll be amazed by the glowing moon jellies and many other types of fish from around the world.
Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel
Take a spin on the Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel. It's the biggest carousel in North Carolina! The animals on the carousel are special. They represent animals from the science center, like Red Pandas and Octopus.
Some carousel animals are even state mascots, like the NC State Wolf. This ride costs a little extra, but it's fun for everyone. It's also built so people of all ages and abilities can enjoy it.
Winter Wonderlights
During the holiday season, the Greensboro Science Center lights up with Winter Wonderlights. This is a new and exciting holiday tradition that started in 2020. You can walk through a beautiful display of holiday-themed lights. It's a magical way to celebrate!
Future Plans for the Center
The Greensboro Science Center is always planning new and exciting things! In 2009, voters helped by approving funds for big projects. Part of this money helped create the SciQuarium, which opened in 2013.
The SciQuarium is a huge aquarium with over 75 different animal species. It even has a special touch tank where you can feel cownose rays! Future plans include updating the museum and adding new animal exhibits.
These new exhibits will feature animals like pygmy hippos, cassowaries, and red pandas. Many of these plans have already come to life with the opening of Revolution Ridge, which is a fantastic new area for visitors to explore.
