Detroit Science Center

Detroit Science Center from across Warren

The Detroit Science Center is a science museum in Detroit, Michigan.

The Science Center has Michigan’s only Chrysler IMAX Dome Theatre; the Dassault Systèmes Planetarium; the DTE Energy Sparks Theater; the Chrysler Science Stage; an 8,700-square-foot (810 m²) Science Hall for traveling exhibits; hands-on exhibit galleries focusing on space, life and physical science; the United States Steel Fun Factory; an exhibit gallery just for pint-size scientists; and a Special Events Lobby.

The museum has served more than 2.1 million visitors since its grand re-opening on July 28, 2001. It is one of the 10 largest science museums in the country.

History

Dexter Ferry is credited for the vision and dedication that led to the creation of the Detroit Science Center. The Detroit area businessman and philanthropist founded the center in 1970. In 1978, the DSC moved to its current facility designed by Master Architect William Kessler of Detroit-based William Kessler Associates in the midtown cultural center adjacent to the Detroit Institute of Arts and Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

The center was closed briefly in the early 1990's after losing funding from the State of Michigan, but re-opened in 1991. The Science Center operated until 1999 when it closed for construction on a $30 million renovation and expansion - tripling the available exhibit space and adding new theater and performace areas. Neumann/Smith Architecture completed the 67,600 sq ft (6,280 m²). addition and 51,000 sq ft (4,700 m²). renovation for The New Detroit Science Center. The Science Center had a grand re-opening celebration in July of 2001 and continued to expand adding a new Digital Dome Planetarium in December 2001 and a 4D Toyota Engineering Theater in 2008.

In partnership with the Thompson Educational Foundation, the Detroit Science Center embarked on another expansion of 80,000 sq ft (7,400 m²). in April 2008 to create a new college-prep charter school named University Prep Science & Math Middle School on its downtown campus. The school facility has classrooms, gymnasium with locker rooms, food service, offices, and shares conference space and the lobby with the science center. Two Detroit companies completed the new addition, GunnLevine Architects (Architect of Record) and DeMaria Building Company, for school to open September 2009.

On September 23, 2011, the Detroit Science Center announced that it would be closed from September 26, 2011-October 12, 2011 in an attempt to save money. In a news release, officials stated that, "It is our sincere hope we will re-open after October 12." The statement mentioned that significant work would be done to ensure the Science Center stays open for "many years to come."

On October 11, 2011, it was announced that the Detroit Science Center would remain closed for an additional two weeks and that $5 million would be needed.

On October 24, 2011, the Detroit Science Center announced that they would be closed "indefinitely".

On November 1, 2011 the Detroit Science Center's website was updated and currently states that the Center is closed "until further notice". Several planned events, programs and trips have either been postponed or rescheduled to take place at the Detroit Children's Museum.

On November 7, 2011, several reports were leaked to members of the local press indicating that the Science Center will announce that it will close permanently on November 16, 2011. This information was incorrect and the Science Center remains closed until further notice while fundraising efforts are ongoing.

See also

• Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum
• Cranbrook Institute of Science

External links

• Detroit Science Center
• University Prep Science & Math
• Thompson Educational Foundation

42°21′30″N 83°03′44″W / 42.35844°N 83.062130°W / 42.35844; -83.062130Coordinates: 42°21′30″N 83°03′44″W / 42.35844°N 83.062130°W / 42.35844; -83.062130