Science Museum Oklahoma facts for kids
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| Former name | The Omniplex Science Museum |
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| Location | Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
| Accreditation | AAM Accredited Museum |
Science Museum Oklahoma is an exciting science museum located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It's a huge place, covering over 390,000 square feet, which makes it one of the largest science museums in the United States! Inside, you can explore the amazing Kirkpatrick Planetarium, visit the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, and discover many cool, specialized galleries. It's a fantastic spot for curious minds to learn and have fun!
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History of the Museum
The Science Museum Oklahoma began its journey in 1958. Back then, it was known as the Kirkpatrick Planetarium. In 1962, the planetarium moved to a permanent spot at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. Later that same year, the Oklahoma Science and Arts Foundation was completed nearby.
In 1978, the foundation changed its name to the Omniplex Science Museum. It then moved, along with the Kirkpatrick Planetarium, to a brand-new museum campus called the Kirkpatrick Center. Over the years, more cool additions were made. In 1980, the Oklahoma Air and Space Museum opened. The Kirkpatrick Gardens and Greenhouse were added in 1985. Then, in 2000, the OmniDome Theatre opened. This was Oklahoma's first large, dome-screen theater, offering an immersive experience.
A big change happened in 2007 when Omniplex officially became Science Museum Oklahoma. Since then, the museum has been updated a lot. Many new exhibits and galleries have been added. These include a fun space exhibit perfect for kids and interesting art galleries.
Awesome Exhibits to Explore
The Science Museum Oklahoma is packed with interactive and educational exhibits. Here are some of the highlights you can discover:
- Kirkpatrick Planetarium - Step inside and journey through space with amazing planetarium shows. You'll learn all about stars, planets, and galaxies!
- CurioCity - This is like a museum within a museum, designed just for kids! It's a playful area where you can try out different activities, like playing musical instruments or even balancing on a tightrope.
- Light Minded - Explore the fascinating world of light and electricity. You'll see how they work and how they impact our daily lives.
- smART Space - This exhibit shows how science and art are connected. You'll discover the creativity behind scientific discoveries and the science in artistic creations.
- Elemental Worlds - Imagine walking through a digital forest! This exhibit features a 220-degree simulated forest, bringing nature to life indoors.
- Science Floor - This is the main part of the museum, filled with tons of hands-on science exhibits. You can touch, experiment, and learn by doing!
- Tinkering Garage - Get creative and see how engineering, art, and technology all work together. It's a great place to build and invent.
- Destination Space - Learn all about NASA's space program and its connections to Oklahoma. Discover the history of space exploration and future missions.
- KidSpace - This area is specially designed for younger visitors. It offers fun and engaging activities that introduce basic science concepts.
- Gardens - Step outside and enjoy a beautiful garden filled with plants that are native to Oklahoma. It's a peaceful spot to learn about local plant life.
- Aviation - Explore the exciting history of aviation. You'll learn about planes, pilots, and how humans learned to fly.
- Gadget Trees - This learning experience focuses on simple machines. You'll see how levers, pulleys, and other basic tools make work easier.
- USS Oklahoma - In front of the museum, you can see parts of the historic battleship USS Oklahoma. This exhibit includes the ship's bell, a screw, and two of her anchors.
International Gymnastics Hall of Fame
Did you know that the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame is located right inside Science Museum Oklahoma? This special area celebrates the incredible athletes and people who have made gymnastics famous around the world. You can see collections of medals, gymnastics equipment, awards, and even sculptures. It's a place dedicated to honoring those who have helped the sport of gymnastics grow.
Some of the famous gymnasts who have been honored here include Nadia Comăneci, Olga Korbut, Bart Conner, Valeri Liukin, Mary Lou Retton, Larisa Latynina, Nikolai Andrianov, and Věra Čáslavská.
See also
- North American aviation halls of fame
