Connecticut Science Center

Connecticut Science Center, Hartford, CT on the Riverfront

The Connecticut Science Center is a nine-story museum located on the Connecticut River in Hartford, Connecticut designed by César Pelli & Associates. It opened on June 12, 2009. The building has a total 154,000 square feet (14,300 m²) including 40,000 square feet (3,700 m²) of interactive exhibits consisting of videos, audios, visuals, tactile components, programs, and live demonstrations.

Development

Planning for the Connecticut Science Center began in 2001. The Center's goals are to promote the study of science by the state's youth and to encourage urban revitalization in Hartford.^[1] The state of Connecticut provided more than $100 million of support for the $165 million center, and the balance was donated by businesses, foundations and individuals.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certifitication

The Connecticut Science Center is the first science center to generate most of its needed power from an on-site fuel cell. This step was a major one for the Connecticut Science Center and its steps towards being a Gold Level LEED) Certified green building.^[2]

Galleries

http://ctsciencecenter.org/exhibits/http://ctsciencecenter.org/exhibits/

Exploring Space This exhibit defies easy explanation and is truly multimedia. Visitors can examine the moon's ancient craters up close, see a moon rock, strap into a flight chair and take control of the world's first ever Mars Flyover. They can feel try out a Venture to a Black Hole and check out a supernova as they navigate their way through the galaxy.

Forces in Motion

Invention Dimension This hands-on gallery features inventions and inventors from Connecticut, where visitors can explore and demonstrate for themselves the process of invention.

KidSpace An adventure filled gallery for kids age 3-6. It features “I Spy” author Walter Wick's search-and-find activities; swirling, whooshing and cascading water play areas, plus a hands-on magnetic ball wall. It's all hands-on to invite experimentation, discovery and interaction.

Picture of Health This exhibit promotes an understanding of the latest research and technological related to health so visitors can more easily distinguish between bad health habits and good ones that can truly improve the quality of their lives.

River of Life This exhibit teaches all about the Connecticut River. New England's largest river is vital to Connecticut's history, economy, ecosystems and future energy needs. In this exhibit visitors enjoy an multimedia interactive exploration of its entire 400-mile (640 km) trek. No wetsuit required.

Sight and Sound Experience This gallery is a funky mixture of art, music and science. There are exhibits where visitors can actually feel sound. There are others where they can hear light. Visitors can use lasers, sophisticated software and the movements of their bodies to create perfect harmonies in all kinds of musical stylings, plus multisensory performance art experiences. It's quite unique.

See also

• List of museums in Connecticut

References

1. ^ "Even before opening, cutbacks at science museum". USA Today. 2009-06-12. http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/2009-06-12-science-center_N.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-13. 
2. ^ "Connecticut Science Center Becomes FIRST in Nation to use Fuel Cell for the Majority of its Power". UTC Power Press Releases. http://www.utcpower.com/fs/com/bin/fs_com_Page/0,11491,0324,00.html. Retrieved 2010-03-23. 

External links

• Connecticut Science Center official site

Coordinates: 41°45′52″N 72°40′11″W / 41.7644°N 72.6697°W / 41.7644; -72.6697