Science World (Vancouver) facts for kids
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| Former name |
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| Established | 1989 |
| Location | 1455 Quebec Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
| Type | Science museum |
| Visitors | 1,009,583 (2019) |
| Architect | Bruno Freschi |
| Public transit access |  Main Street–Science World |
Science World is a fun science center in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. It's run by a non-profit group called ASTC Science World Society. You can find it at the end of False Creek. This amazing place has many hands-on exhibits that let you explore science in exciting ways. They also have special displays that change throughout the year.
The building where Science World is located was first built for a big event called Expo 86. This was a world's fair held in Vancouver in 1986. The building was known as the Expo Centre back then. After Expo 86 finished, the building was turned into a science center. Science World officially opened its doors on May 6, 1989. From 2005 to 2020, the museum was called Science World at Telus World of Science. After that, it went back to its original name, Science World.
Contents
The Story of Science World
Early Days of Science Fun
The idea for Science World started in 1977 with Barbara Brink. She created mobile, hands-on exhibits called Extended I. These exhibits traveled around British Columbia's Lower Mainland. Later, a temporary center called the Arts, Sciences & Technology Centre opened in downtown Vancouver on January 15, 1982. It was very popular, attracting over 600,000 visitors. The center also reached 400,000 more people through its programs across the province.
From Expo to Science Center
When Vancouver was chosen to host Expo 86, a world's fair about transportation, a special building was designed. It was a Buckminster Fuller-inspired geodesic dome. Bruno Freschi, the main architect for Expo, designed it. Construction started in 1984 and finished in early 1985.
After Expo 86 closed in October 1986, many people worked hard to get the dome building for a science center. They wanted to move the "Arts, Sciences and Technology Centre" into this landmark building. With a lot of support from the government, the dome was given to the project. A huge fundraising effort began. Governments, private companies, and individuals donated $19.1 million. This money helped build an addition to the Expo Centre, redesign the inside, and create new exhibits.
In 1988, over 310,000 visitors came to see the new building during a special preview. A year later, a 400-seat Omnimax theatre opened in the upper part of the dome. This theatre showed amazing films on a giant screen.
Name Changes and New Features
In 1996, the Omnimax Theatre was renamed the Alcan Omnimax Theatre. This was part of a sponsorship deal with a company called Alcan Inc.. Later, Alcan changed how it supported Science World, and the theatre went back to being called the Omnimax Theatre.
In January 2005, the building's name officially changed to "Telusphere." This happened because Telus donated $9 million for the naming rights. However, this new name was not very popular. So, in mid-2005, the science center's name was changed again to "Science World at the Telus World of Science." Other science centers in Calgary and Edmonton also used the "Telus World of Science" brand. The naming rights agreement ended in 2020. At that time, the science center dropped "Telus World of Science" from its name.
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During the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Science World hosted "Sochi World." This was a special area representing Russia, which was hosting the 2014 Winter Olympics. Science World closed for a short time in January 2010 to prepare for this. It reopened in March. After the 2010 Olympics, Science World had some renovations. The indoor updates were finished by mid-2012. The outdoor Ken Spencer Science Park opened in late 2012.
In 2021, Dr. Bonnie Henry was recognized as a "Friend of Science World" for her support. In January 2022, Science World started a partnership with Acuitas Therapeutics. This company helped develop the technology used in the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. In September 2022, Teck Resources donated $650,000 to Science World. This money helped add copper layers to exhibits, door handles, and countertops. Copper has antimicrobial properties, meaning it can help stop germs from spreading.
What You Can Do at Science World
Reaching Out to Communities
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Science World has many programs that reach out to people all over British Columbia. These programs bring science learning to different communities.
- Scientists and Innovators in the Schools: This program connects volunteer scientists and innovators with students. They give interactive presentations in classrooms to get students excited about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
- On the Road: Science World staff travel across the province. They lead workshops and present science shows in schools and communities. This helps places that don't have a local science center.
- Super Science Club: Science World educators run after-school programs in schools that need extra support. They aim to inspire children to love learning about science and technology for their whole lives.
Learning About Vaccines
In July 2021, Science World received a grant from the Government of Canada. This money helped them create programs about vaccines. The goal was to help people understand and accept COVID-19 vaccines across Canada.
How Science World Works
Supporting Science Learning
Science World is a non-profit organization. This means it relies on donations and partners to operate. Many different organizations and companies support Science World. Their help allows Science World to continue offering amazing exhibits and educational programs for everyone.
See also
