Science Museum Oklahoma facts for kids
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| Former name | The Omniplex Science Museum |
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| Location | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Type | Science museum |
| Accreditation | AAM Accredited Museum |
| Visitors | 600,000+ (2023) |
The Science Museum Oklahoma is a super fun place in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where you can explore the world of science! It's one of the biggest science museums in the United States, covering more than 390,000 square feet. Inside, you'll find amazing attractions like the new Love's Planetarium and the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. The museum started as the Kirkpatrick Planetarium in 1958 and has grown a lot over the years with new additions and exhibits.
Museum History
The Science Museum Oklahoma began its journey in 1958 as the Kirkpatrick Planetarium. It moved to a permanent spot at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in 1962. Later that year, the Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation also opened its facility there.
In 1978, the foundation changed its name to the Omniplex Science Museum. It then moved with the Kirkpatrick Planetarium to a new campus called the Kirkpatrick Center. Over time, the museum complex grew even more:
- In 1980, the Oklahoma Air and Space Museum was added.
- In 1985, the Kirkpatrick Gardens and Greenhouse opened.
- In 2000, the OmniDome Theatre was built. This was Oklahoma's first large dome-screen theater!
Finally, in 2007, the Omniplex changed its name to Science Museum Oklahoma. After this, the museum got a big makeover. Many new exhibits and galleries were added, including a space exhibit for younger kids and cool art galleries.
Awesome Exhibits to Explore
The Science Museum Oklahoma has many exciting exhibits where you can learn and have fun:
- Kirkpatrick Planetarium: This planetarium used to show amazing laser light shows. The regular planetarium shows ended on April 21, 2024.
- Love’s Planetarium: A brand new, super modern planetarium that opened in Fall 2024. Get ready to explore the stars!
- CurioCity: This is like a museum just for kids inside the main museum. You can play instruments, try balancing on a tightrope, and do many other playful activities.
- Light Minded: Discover how light and electricity work in this special section.
- smART Space: See how science and art come together in creative ways.
- Elemental Worlds: Step into a digital forest environment that surrounds you with a 220-degree view.
- Science Floor: This is the main area of the museum, full of hands-on science exhibits where you can experiment and learn.
- Tinkering Garage: Here, you can explore how engineering, art, and technology mix to create new things.
- Destination Space: Learn all about NASA's space program and its connections to Oklahoma.
- KidSpace: An exhibit specially designed for the museum's youngest visitors.
- Gardens: Walk through a beautiful garden featuring plants that grow naturally in Oklahoma.
- Aviation: Explore the exciting history of airplanes and flying.
- Gadget Trees: Learn about simple machines and how they make work easier.
- USS Oklahoma: Outside the museum, you can see parts of the USS Oklahoma ship, including its bell, a screw, and two anchors.
International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
Inside the Science Museum Oklahoma, you'll find the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. This special area displays collections of medals, gymnastics equipment, awards, and sculptures. Its main goal is to honor people who have helped make gymnastics better. Some famous gymnasts who are part of the Hall of Fame include:
- Nadia Comăneci
- Olga Korbut
- Bart Conner
- Valeri Liukin
- Mary Lou Retton
- Larisa Latynina
- Nikolai Andrianov
- Věra Čáslavská
See also
- North American aviation halls of fame
