Science Discovery Center of Oneonta facts for kids
| Established | 1990 |
|---|---|
| Location | 108 Ravine Parkway Physical Sciences Building Oneonta, New York, United States |
| Type | Science museum |
| Owner | SUNY Oneonta |
The A.J. Read Science Discovery Center of Oneonta is a super fun, hands-on science museum! It's part of SUNY Oneonta in Oneonta, New York. This center is packed with over eighty simple science experiments. Most of them focus on physics, making science exciting for kids and adults alike.
Besides being open for regular visitors, the center welcomes school groups and other organizations. They also host special events about science education, like "Nano Days." Plus, they offer cool family activities during big events such as Homecoming Weekend and the Otsego County Fair.
Contents
Discovering the Center's History
The idea for this amazing museum came from a lot of hard work. It was created by Albert Read, a physics professor at SUNY Oneonta. He taught there from 1957 to 1985.
How the Center Started
After Professor Read retired, he didn't stop working! He planned and designed the whole center. He even found a clever spot for it: a room that used to be used for batting practice. The center officially opened on January 21, 1990.
Growing and Learning
From its opening in 1990 until Professor Read retired as director in 2005, the museum grew a lot. It doubled the number of cool exhibits! About 7,000 visitors came to explore science each year. The center is also part of the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC). Some of the exhibits Professor Read created were even featured in the ASTC's "Cheapbook" guide for other museums.
New Leadership and Expansion
After Professor Read, Dr. Hugh Gallagher became the director. In 2006, the center received a big grant of $100,000 from the state. This money helped them reach out to more local teachers and students. It also provided extra learning tools and improved the building.
Dr. Gallagher was very excited. He said the grant would help the college make this "valuable community resource" even better. He believed the hands-on exhibits let people of all ages "touch and feel the physical sciences." The grant helped them re-decorate, create new exhibits, and make existing ones even more interactive.
Celebrating 25 Years
In 2015, the center celebrated its 25th anniversary! To honor its founder, Albert Read, the center was renamed the "A. J. Read Science Discovery Center." Around that time, the center moved temporarily. It went from the Physical Science Building to the 3rd floor of Bugbee Hall.
A New Home
In 2017, the center moved into a brand-new space. This happened after the Physical Sciences building was renovated. In September 2016, Douglas Reilly joined the team. He became the Outreach Coordinator for the A. J. Read Science Discovery Center. He also helps support the SUNY-Oneonta Planetarium.
