Connecticut Science Center

Connecticut Science Center

Connecticut Science Center, Hartford, CT on the Riverfront
Established 2009
Location 250 Columbus Boulevard
Hartford, Connecticut, USA
Type Science museum
Website ctsciencecenter.org

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 Science 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 museum, and the balance was donated by businesses, foundations and individuals.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification

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]

The 200-kilowatt fuel cell, built by UTC Power, a United Technologies Corp. business based in South Windsor, generates 100 percent of the electricity the Science Center uses.[3] The PureCell System is fueled with natural gas and doesn't use combustion. Instead, the gas undergoes an electrochemical process that produces direct current electricity, heat and water.[4]

Galleries

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 try out a Venture to a Black Hole and check out a supernova as they navigate their way through the galaxy.

Forces in Motion

Interactive station explore movement, flight, force and motion.

Invention Dimension

Items invented in CT on the Wall of Invention and Ingenuity

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, water play areas, and a hands-on magnetic ball wall, all designed to invite experimentation, discovery and interaction.

Picture of Health

This exhibit promotes an understanding of the latest research and technology 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. There is a Health Lab for hands-on exploration of parts of the human body.

River of Life

This exhibit teaches all about the Connecticut River, including its ecosystems, and role in the state's history, economy, and future energy needs. There is a multimedia interactive video exploration of its entire 400-mile (640 km) length.

Sight and Sound Experience

This gallery mixes art, music and science, including exhibits where visitors can actually feel sound or 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.

Maximilian E. and Marion O. Hoffman Foundation Science Theater

A stadium seating style theater that houses over 200 people, the Science Theater has a daily movie schedule filled with 3D films from a variety of science topics. When not running its schedule, it houses conferences, special events, film festivals, and science demonstrations among much more. It has a 30×40 ft screen, an 18,000-watt Dolby® sound system and utilizes Dolby® 3D technology and glasses.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Even before opening, cutbacks at science museum". USA Today. 2009-06-12. 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. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  3. ↑ http://fuelcellsworks.com/news/2009/10/05/utc-power-delivers-fuel-cell-for-new-connecticut-science-center/
  4. ↑ http://www.yourct.com/2009/10/fuel-cell-moves-science-center-toward-power-self-sufficiency/

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Connecticut Science Center.

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

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