// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did the Saint Louis Science Center say to the atom? You've got a bond with us.
 | This article needs more citations. (March 2018) |
 | |
 Saint Louis Science Center in 2016 | |
.png)  Location within Forest Park (St. Louis) | |
| Established | 1963 |
|---|---|
| Location | 5050 Oakland Ave, St. Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Coordinates | 38°37′44″N 90°16′15″W / 38.6289°N 90.2708°W |
Public transit access |  MetroBus |
| Website | www |
The Saint Louis Science Center, founded as a planetarium in 1963, is a collection of buildings including a science museum and planetarium in St. Louis, Missouri, on the southeastern corner of Forest Park. With over 750 exhibits in a complex of over 300,000 square feet (28,000 m2), it is among the largest of its type in the United States.[1][page needed]
James S. McDonnell Planetarium
[edit]Science Center
[edit]
In 1972, the Museum of Science and Natural History, located in Oak Knoll Park in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton, began to receive funds from sales tax through the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District.[2] In 1983, the museum purchased the Planetarium from the city, and closed it for remodeling. On July 20, 1985, the Planetarium reopened as the Saint Louis Science Center.[3][page needed] On November 2, 1991, as part of a $34 million expansion, a new building opened across from the Planetarium south of I-64, on Oakland Avenue, increasing the size of the Science Center by a factor of seven. The new building was constructed on land that had previously been the site of the Falstaff Brewing Corporation headquarters.[3][page needed] Connected to the Planetarium via a Skybridge over I-64, the new exhibits in the main building were devoted to Earth science, emerging technology, life sciences, physical science, and chemistry.[3][4][page needed] Within two months, the newly remodeled St. Louis Science Center became the most visited science center in the world.[3][page needed]
One of the most recognizable features of the St. Louis Science Center is the five-story domed OMNIMAX theater, which shows a variety of educational films and documentaries year round. Occasionally, the theater features feature films as they are released, such as Star Wars. In 2019, the OMNIMAX theater underwent its first major renovations since opening in 1991, becoming the fourth OMNIMAX theater to use the IMAX with laser projection system. Other improvements include new state-of-the-art sound technology, a NanoSeam screen for a more uniform screen surface, and upgraded and wider seating.[5]
Exploradome and GROW
[edit]On February 8, 1997, an air-supported building was added to the main building, the Exploradome. With an additional 18,000 square feet (1,700 m2), it was intended as a temporary facility for traveling exhibitions, additional classrooms, and to host large group events. Notable exhibits have included shows on the RMS Titanic ocean liner and Body Worlds, a traveling exhibition of preserved human bodies.[4][1][page needed] From October 2011 until May 2012, the main building hosted Star Trek: The Exhibition, a major showcase of Star Trek props, costumes and artifacts, including a full-size bridge from the USS Enterprise.[6] The Exploradome was deflated to make way for a planned expansion after 16 years of operations on June 24, 2013.[7]
In 2016, the museum’s largest major addition in 25 years was completed. The new exhibit space was designed by St. Louis-based design firm Arcturis with Gyo Obata brought on as a consultant. Called GROW, the project’s centerpiece is a 5,000 square foot permanent pavilion that has a flexible, open floor plan that houses ever-changing exhibits and events.[8] Its primary focus is the story of agriculture and the many ways technology is shaping the agricultural landscape.[9]
Exhibitions
[edit]
The Mcdonnell planetarium
Lower level exhibits
Creative commons area
Missouri map
GROW sign 2022
WeatherReadyFest
[edit]The 2018 WeatherReadyFest event was held at the St. Louis Science Center featuring talks, demonstrations and displays from the National Weather Service and other government and private agencies.[10]
Washington University in St. Louis CCSN Outreach
[edit]Washington University students participating in the Cognitive, Computational and Systems Neuroscience (CCSN) pathway have created a series of exhibitions displayed at the St. Louis Science Center in an outreach program since the pathway's inception in 2008.[11][12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Craske, Oliver; Peacock, Sarah; Shoolbred, Andrew (2007). Forest Park, Saint Louis. Scala Publishers. ISBN 978-1-85759-340-2.
- ↑ "History of the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District". Archived from the original on 2010-01-25. Retrieved 2009-12-17.
- 1 2 3 4 Altman, Sally; Weiss, Richard (2007). The Jewel of St. Louis: Forest Park. Marceline, Missouri: Walsworth Publishing Co. ISBN 978-0-9796054-1-3.
- 1 2 Corrigan, Patricia (2007). Bringing Science to Life: A Guide from the Saint Louis Science Center. Virginia Publishing Co. ISBN 978-1-933370-16-3.
- ↑ "OMNIMAX Theater / IMAX with Laser". Archived from the original on 2020-10-01. Retrieved 2019-02-12.
- ↑ "Star Trek: The Exhibition opened at Saint Louis Science Center". Saint Louis Science Center. September 22, 2011. Archived from the original on April 4, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
- ↑ "St. Louis Science Center Deflates Exploradome To Make Way For Expansion". June 24, 2013. Archived from the original on October 25, 2019. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
- ↑ "Grow Pavilion". www.architectmagazine.com. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
- ↑ "GROW Pavilion and Gallery". Saint Louis Science Center. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
- ↑ "Free WeatherReady Fest at Science Center". St. Louis American. Archived from the original on 2018-08-19. Retrieved 2018-08-27.
- ↑ "Highlight: Outreach between the Washington University brain science community and the Saint Louis Science Center". www.igert.org. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
- ↑ "A+ in outreach: Neuroscience students share enthusiasm about brain science | The Source | Washington University in St. Louis". The Source. 2012-11-06. Archived from the original on 2019-08-10. Retrieved 2019-08-10.
