SCIENCE CENTER OPENS NEW “HALL OF DISCOVERY”
Recent expansion opens up 5,000 square feet, includes new exhibits and old favorites
(West Palm Beach, Fla.) Leadership at the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium has announced another recent expansion. On February 2, 2015, the Science Center debuted the first phase of its “West Wing” improvements. The “Hall of Discovery” contains new exhibits, along with old favorites, which have received a modern twist. All exhibits are highly interactive and focus on hands-on, minds-on science. The Monday opening offered guests 5,000 additional square feet of exhibition space, with more exciting improvements to come later this season.
As a continuation from its $5 million expansion in 2013, this is the first phase in a series of improvements to the “West Wing.” A highlight of the opening included the Science Center’s first bilingual exhibit, which explores nanoscale science such as atoms and molecules. The first and only nano exhibit in the state of Florida, the exhibition presents the basics of nanoscience and engineering, introducing real world applications while exploring societal and ethical implications. Once all final “West Wing” improvements are completed, the total amount spent will be $1 million.
“The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is the anchor institution for informal science education in our community,” said Lew Crampton, Science Center CEO. “In addition to physical improvements, we are continuing to expand our programing. Within the last four years, we have doubled our programing, for both children and adults, increased our exhibition space by 20,000 square feet, increased our annual revenue from $1.5 million to $3.5 million and our attendance is up from 100,000 to 205,000 annually. Our community and our tourists deserve a world-class science center and we are happy to rise to the occasion. In addition to this first phase, we have plans for an early childhood education room, improvements to our planetarium and observatory – the only public observatory in Palm Beach County – and a brand new 18-hole miniature golf course, all on track to open this year. If you haven’t been for a visit recently, we encourage you to come see what’s new!”
As an incentive for old and new friends to see the expansion, the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is lowering its entrance fees to celebrate the “Hall of Discovery” opening. During Afterlife: Tomb & Treasures of Ancient Egypt, admission to the Science Center is $16.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 3 to 12, and $14.95 for seniors over the age of 60. Science Center members are free.
The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium, recently named the Chamber of Commerce of the Palm Beaches’ nonprofit of the year, features more than 50 hands-on educational exhibits, an 8,000 gallon fresh and salt water aquarium- featuring both local and exotic marine life, a digital planetarium, conservation research station, Florida exhibit hall and an interactive Everglades exhibit. Afterlife: Tombs & Treasures of Ancient Egypt, the Science Center’s newest traveling exhibit, features more than 200 ancient and authentic artifacts. All exhibits are on display during Afterlife’s special showing. In true Science Center style, the highly anticipated blockbuster exhibition has interactive components, making it feel like guests have taken a trip to Egypt to explore ancient artifacts and tombs.
In addition to the nano exhibit, the “Hall of Discovery” will include more than 10 hands-on brain teasers and an interactive wall of old but fresh favorites, like the energy conservation station. Guests can pedal on a bicycle until light bulbs receive enough energy to light up, the rehabbed part includes a modern twist to illustrate the differing amounts of energy needed to light LED, CFL and Halogen bulbs.
For more information, please call (561) 832-1988 or visit www.sfsciencecenter.org. Like the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium on Facebook and follow it on Twitter @SFScienceCenter.