California Science Center
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The California Science Center (sometimes spelled California ScienCenter) is a state agency and museum located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Billed as the West Coast's largest hands-on science center, the California ScienCenter is a public-private partnership between the State and the California Science Center Foundation.
Formerly known as the California Museum of Science and Industry, the Museum was remodelled in 1998 as the California Science Center. Currently it consists of the IMAX Theater, the Sketch Foundation Gallery - Air and Space Exhibits (formerly Aerospace Hall) and the Science Center itself.
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[edit] Vehicles on Display
Vehicles on display at the California Science Center as of July 2007 include:
Lockheed A-12 Oxcart Serial Number 60-6927
Capsule for Gemini 11
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Command Module
Capsule for Mercury-Redstone 2 which carried Ham the Chimp into space
Replica Bell X-1 (movie prop from The Right Stuff)
Engineering prototype for Viking Lander
[edit] Transformation
In 1993, the Museum decided on a long-term renovation and transformation of its role from a science museum to a science education facility. This new facility would be known as the California Science Center. The master plan for this facility would be executed in three phases:
[edit] Phase I
- Redesign of the main building (Howard F. Ahmanson building).
- Science Plaza - Exhibits outside the main entrance.
- World of Life - Explores the science of life in five galleries.
- Creative World - Highlights technology in transportation, communications and structures. Features include a virtual reality exhibit where you can play sports using virtual reality, an earthquake simulator and other exhibits.
- Special Exhibits gallery - Exhibits in this room have included a Titanic exhibit, a magic exhibit, a toy exhibit, and the widely known human body exhibit.
- ExploraStore - Store specializing in scientific and educational items.
- IMAX theater - Seven-story IMAX screen, largest in Los Angeles.
- Phase I was completed and opened in 1998.
[edit] Phase II
- New parking structure with surrounding gardens.
- Renovate the historic Armory building into the new Science Center School and Amgen Center for Science Learning.
- Air and Space Gallery renovation.
- World of Ecology - (est. 2010).
[edit] Phase III
- Worlds Beyond - Planned.
[edit] References
- Erin Torneo, "Superhero Science", Seed Magazine" (04/05/2006)
[edit] External links
- California ScienCenter - Main website
- usc.edu Brief story about the California Museum of Science and Industry
- CMSI Remembering the California Museum of Science & Industryfr:California Science Center
