Michigan Science Center facts for kids
The Michigan Science Center (MiSci) is an exciting science museum in Detroit, Michigan. It's connected with the famous Smithsonian museums, which means it's a really special place! The main goal of the Michigan Science Center is to help everyone, no matter their age, get excited about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). They want to make learning about STEM fun and creative. MiSci is a non-profit organization, which means it relies on help from people who donate money, sponsors, and members to keep running.
This amazing center has more than 220 hands-on activities for you to try! They also have live shows on stage, quick "pop-up" demonstrations, and even online programs. The Michigan Science Center is a big hub for STEM learning across the whole state. They even have programs that travel to different places!
Inside the Michigan Science Center, you'll find lots of cool areas. There's an IMAX Dome Theatre where movies surround you, and the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium to explore space. You can also visit the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater, the DTE Energy Sparks Theater, and the Chrysler Science Stage for live shows. There's a huge Science Hall, about 8,700-square-foot (810 m2) big, for special exhibits that change over time. Plus, there are galleries all about space, life science, and physical science. Don't forget the United States Steel Fun Factory and a special area just for younger scientists!
Contents
History of the Science Center
How the Center Began
The idea for the Detroit Science Center, which later became the Michigan Science Center, came from a businessman named Dexter Ferry. He was a kind person who loved to help others. Mr. Ferry started the center way back in 1970. In 1978, the Detroit Science Center moved to its current location in Midtown, Detroit. This building was designed by a talented architect named William Henry Kessler. It's located near other important places like the Detroit Institute of Arts and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
Changes and Growth Over Time
The science center had a tough time in the early 1990s and had to close for a short while because it lost funding from the state. But it reopened in 1991! Then, in 1999, it closed again for a big renovation and expansion project. This project cost $30 million and made the exhibit space three times bigger! They also added new theaters and performance areas. The renovation was completed in 2001, and the Detroit Science Center had a grand reopening celebration in July of that year.
The center kept growing! In December 2001, they added a new Digital Dome Planetarium. Then, in 2008, the 4D Toyota Engineering Theater was added, offering even more exciting experiences.
A School Joins the Campus
In April 2008, the Detroit Science Center worked with the Thompson Educational Foundation on another big expansion. They added an 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m2) space to create a new school called University Prep Science & Math Middle School. This school helps students get ready for college. The school has classrooms, a gym, and offices. It also shares conference rooms and the lobby with the Detroit Science Center, making it a unique learning environment.
A New Beginning: Michigan Science Center
On September 26, 2011, the Detroit Science Center had to close again because of money problems. Many planned events and trips were moved to the Detroit Children's Museum. (Interestingly, the Detroit Children's Museum also closed briefly but reopened in February 2012 for Detroit Public School students.)
Good news came on September 7, 2012! Local news reported that a new group, the Michigan Science Center, would open and run the facility. They had received a lot of support over the past year. The new board of directors for the Michigan Science Center met on September 10, 2012. Finally, the Michigan Science Center officially opened its doors on December 26, 2012, bringing science and fun back to Detroit!
See also
- List of science centers
