California Science Center

California Science Center
Richard Kim · CC BY 3.0 · source
Name	California Science Center
Established	1951 (as California Museum of Science and Industry)
Location	Exposition Park, Los Angeles, California, United States
Type	Science museum
Visitors	Over 2 million annually
Director	Jeffrey N. Rudolph
Website	californiasciencecenter.org

California Science Center. A major public science museum located in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, it is part of the state museum network and operates as a public-private partnership. Its mission is to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and the display of iconic artifacts. The institution is renowned for its family-friendly approach and its role as a leading educational resource in Southern California.

History

The institution originated in 1912 as the State Exposition Building, constructed for an agricultural fair. It was later repurposed and reopened in 1951 as the California Museum of Science and Industry under the direction of the State of California. A significant transformation began in the 1980s, spearheaded by a task force that included former NASA astronaut and Senator John Glenn. This led to a master plan for a new, hands-on science center, with the first phase opening in 1998 under its current name. Subsequent expansions have been funded through major campaigns involving donors like the Wallis Foundation and Annenberg Foundation, cementing its evolution from a traditional museum to a dynamic experiential learning environment.

Exhibits and attractions

Permanent galleries are designed around immersive ecosystems and fundamental scientific principles. The Ecosystems exhibit features a walk-through tunnel in a 188,000-gallon kelp forest tank, a living desert habitat, and an interactive island zone demonstrating adaptation. The Creative World gallery explores human innovation in areas like transportation and robotics, while the World of Life hall delves into biological processes, showcasing a giant, walk-through model of a human heart. Popular permanent attractions include the Air and Space Gallery, which houses historical aircraft like the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance plane, and frequent traveling exhibitions on topics ranging from paleontology to Egyptology.

IMAX Theater

The on-site IMAX theater is one of the largest and most technologically advanced in the world, featuring a seven-story-high screen. It presents both 2D and 3D educational films on subjects such as deep-sea exploration, astronomy, and natural history, often complementing current museum exhibitions. The theater also hosts special events and premieres, serving as a significant venue during the annual Los Angeles Film Festival. Its projection system and immersive sound design, developed by companies like IMAX Corporation and Sony, provide a cinematic experience that supports the center's mission of making science accessible and engaging.

Space Shuttle Endeavour

A crown jewel of the collection is the Space Shuttle Endeavour, one of the retired orbiters from the NASA fleet. After its final mission, STS-134, it was transported through the streets of Los Angeles in 2012 in a widely publicized event. It is currently displayed in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion in a temporary, horizontal configuration. The center is constructing the future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a major expansion designed by ZGF Architects that will house *Endeavour* in a full-stack, vertical launch configuration alongside other significant rockets and artifacts, creating a landmark exhibition for aerospace history.

Education and research

Educational programming is extensive, serving over 300,000 students and teachers annually through school field trips, outreach programs, and professional development workshops. Key initiatives include the Amgen Center for Science Learning, which provides laboratory experiences, and partnerships with institutions like the University of Southern California and Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The center also engages in active research, particularly in the life sciences, maintaining partnerships for species conservation and participating in national science education networks supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation.

Architecture and campus

The campus spans over 400,000 square feet within the historic Exposition Park, which it shares with neighbors like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The original 1912 building, now the Wallis Annenberg Building, was renovated by the architectural firm ZGF Architects. The modern structures, including the Howard F. Ahmanson Building, feature expansive glass walls, open floor plans, and sustainable design elements. The ongoing construction of the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, led by ZGF Architects with exhibit design by Evidence Design, represents the latest phase in the campus's master-planned growth.

Category:Museums in Los Angeles Category:Science museums in California Category:Exposition Park (Los Angeles)