St. Louis Science Center

The St. Louis Science Center is a science museum with its facilities in St. Louis, Missouri and the [http://www.astc.org/ Association of Science and Technology Centers] has rated the Saint Louis Science Center one of the top 5 science centers in the nation. It is among the largest of its type and, like all science centers, is intended to be a place of informal science education for all ages.

The Science Center campus is made up of four buildings. The [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 James S. McDonnell Planetarium] , found in Forest Park, a newer building (often called the "main building") across Interstate 64 (Highway 40) at 5050 Oakland Avenue, the Exploradome, an air-supported building next to the main building, and the [http://www.academyofsciencestl.org/ Taylor Community Science Resource Center] at 4900 Manchester Avenue, 2 blocks south of the main building.

History

The St. Louis Science Center was originally founded by an organization called the [http://www.academyofsciencestl.org/ Academy of Science of St. Louis] as the Museum of Science and Natural History in 1959 at a facility in Clayton's Oak Knoll Park.

In 1983, the museum chose to expand its facilities to the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 James S. McDonnell Planetarium] , then owned by the City. After over a year of remodeling, on July 20, 1985, the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 Planetarium] reopened as the St. Louis Science Center.

McDonnell Planetarium

The [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 James S. McDonnell Planetarium] was named after James Smith McDonnell, an aviation pioneer and co-founder of St. Louis-based McDonnell Douglas aerospace manufacturer. The [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 Planetarium] was designed by Gyo Obata of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum and first opened in 1963. In the 1980s and 1990s, the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 Planetarium] housed a Digistar 1 digital star projector, made by Evans & Sutherland. In January 2000, the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 Planetarium] closed for renovations, and reopened on June 22, 2001 fitted with the world's fourth Zeiss Universarium Mark IX star projector.

Besides the star projector, the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 McDonnell Planetarium] now contains the StarPort, designed to approximate what a space station might look like in the near future. This section is mainly dedicated to outer space and astronomy-related programs and exhibits.

The Main Building

As part of a $34 million expansion, a new building opened across from the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 Planetarium] south of highway 40/64 on November 2, 1991. The building, designed by E. Verner Johnson and Associates, includes the Omnimax, now called IMAX Dome, theater. A pedestrian overpass connects the two buildings and offers scientific insight into bridges, highways, and radar guns.

The Exploradome

On February 8, 1997, the Exploradome was added primarily for traveling exhibitions and hosting large group events. The current exhibit is [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4165 MONSTERS! The Art & Technology of Animatronics] . This exhibit ended September 1, 2008.

Taylor Community Science Resource Center

Located at 4900 Manchester Avenue, the [http://www.academyofsciencestl.org/ Taylor Community Science Resource Center] (TCSRC) opened in 2003, and is known by many as "the Taylor Building". The building was donated by Jack Taylor, founder of Enterprise Rent-A-Car and houses programs such as the YES Program, a mentoring program for urban teens. The TCSRC also houses administrative offices for several departments at the science center.

Admission and exhibits

Like its fellow museums in Forest Park, the Science Center offers free admission, a distinction held by only two science museums in the country. There is a charge for parking at the main building, but parking at the Forest Park lot at the McDonnell Planetarium is free. There are fees for special exhibits, such as Lego Mindstorms in [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=388 Cyberville] , Omnimax, [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=333 Discovery Room] , [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 McDonnell Planetarium shows] , and special exhibits and exhibitions. The Science Center is open every day except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The main building consists of four levels. The [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=372 Ecology and Environment] Gallery is located on the lower level along with meeting rooms, [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4577 CenterStage] (shows and a daily "Science Goes Splat" gravity drop as well as "Amazing Science Demonstrations"), [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4213 birthday party rooms] , [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=3063 Build-A-Dino] , and [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=1679 May Hall] (used as a banquet room and for special exhibits and talks) The first floor contains the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=389 Human Adventure] Gallery, the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=2659 MedTech] Gallery the main entrance, ExploreStore gift shop, food court, Energizer human hamster wheel that powers the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=396 Energizer Ball Machine] , and Exploradome entrance, and the up-and-coming [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4595 Life Science Lab] . On the second floor there is a computer gallery called [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=388 Cyberville] , the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=373 Structures] Gallery, the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=333 Discovery Room] for young children and their parents, the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=436 Flight!] Gallery on the bridge/tunnel connection to the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=387 Planetarium] , and the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=365 Omnimax Movie Theater] . Wheelchair Omnimax access, Omnimax exit, and offices are located on the third. All three floors contain the [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=396 Energizer Ball Machine] which is also three stories high.

[http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=348 Click here] to view a PDF map of the Saint Louis Science Center

Life Science Lab Gallery

The all new [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4595 Life Science Lab] will be opening October 2008. It will be a new space dedicated to educational programming, offering unique and scientifically authentic educational experiences to the public in the areas of genetics, biotechnology, agriculture, medicine, and health. It is taking the place of the DNA Zone and Ecology and Enviroment on the first floor.

The Life Science Lab is divided into four parts: the Lab Classroom, the Artium, the Staff Workroom, and the Activity Benches

SciFest 08

The Saint Louis Science Center will be hosting [http://www.slsc.org/pressroom.aspx?id=4571 SciFest 08] ! St. Louis and the Saint Louis Science Center have won a national competition to host [http://www.slsc.org/pressroom.aspx?id=4571 SciFest 08: International Science Festival/St. Louis] . Festival organizers selected St. Louis from a list of cities that included New York City, Boston and San Francisco. Local experts predict the festival will bring an estimated 90,000 visitors to the city and $4.7 million in tourism revenue in its first three years.

"St. Louis' selection from such an impressive group of cities is a testament to the quality of scientific research and development happening in Missouri," said [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=2063 Doug King] , President and CEO of the Saint Louis Science Center. "It's also a unique chance for our region's citizens to have a little fun with science and technology, talk to scientists on the cutting edge about what they are doing and why, and potentially impact scientific discoveries and policy at a national level."

[http://www.slsc.org/pressroom.aspx?id=4571 SciFest 08] attendees can learn the science behind gambling tricks and tells at "Casino Royale: Using Science to Get Lucky," see the latest in wearable nanotechnology at the "Nano Fashion Show," and learn to decode what their boss is really saying at "The Truth Behind Body Language." The festival model is designed for dialogue, and attendees impact the shape of each event by asking questions, offering opinions, and challenging the presenters.

[http://www.slsc.org/pressroom.aspx?id=4571 SciFest] takes place October 9 - 13, 2008, at the Saint Louis Science Center.

Visitor Attractions

* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=407 LEGO Mindstorm Robots]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4165 Omnimax Theater]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4165 Planetarium]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=348 Public Galleries]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=1675 Special Programs]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=458 The Space Show]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4165 Special Exhibits]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4437 Membership]

Kids Programs

* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=336 Camp-Ins]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=397 Field Trips]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=333 Discover Room]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=382 Scout Programs]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4213 Birthday Parties]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=4607 KIDS CLUB]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=358 Homeschool Programs]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=360 Taylor Community Science Resource Center]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=359 Challenger Learning Center of St. Louis]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=1673 Educator Resources]

Public Programs

*Segway [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=401 Courses]
*Segway [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=401 Forest Park Tours (seasonal, May-Oct)]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=2983 Science Cafe Discussion Groups]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=3637 Science Around Town]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=3639 Domestic Discoveries]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=3641 Internatioal Explorations]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=3331 The Amazing Challenge]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=486 Breakfast & a Movie]
* [http://www.slsc.org/content.aspx?id=338 Free Public Telescope Viewing Sessions (2nd Fridays of the month, except November & December)]

External links

* [http://www.slsc.org Saint Louis Science Center Homepage]
* [http://www.slsc.org/cybervilleblog.aspx Saint Louis Science Center's Cyberville Blog]
* [http://www.slsc.org/calendar.aspx Saint Louis Science Center Calendar of Events]
* [http://maps.google.com/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=5050+Oakland+Ave+St.+Louis+MO&um=1&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title Directions to the Saint Louis Science Center (Main Building) using Google Maps]
* [http://www.myspace.com/stlouissciencecenter Saint Louis Science Center on Myspace]
* [http://www.slfp.com/McDonnellPlanetarium.htm McDonnell Planetarium information at St. Louis Front Page.com]
* [http://www.youthexploringscience.com/ Taylor Community Science Resource Center]
* [http://www.forbestraveler.com/best-lists/most-visited-museums-story.html Saint Louis Science Center rated one of the most visited American museums by Forbes Travel Magazine]
* [http://www.slsc.org/pressroom.aspx?id=4571 Saint Louis Science Center will host SciFest 08]
* [http://sciencecenternews.wordpress.com Science Center News] News from Science Centers around the US.
* [http://sciencecenter.wordpress.com Saint Louis Science Center News]