Already recognized as a leader in inquiry-based learning, Kentucky Science Center is advancing a statewide science literacy campaign to encourage people of all ages to explore science in everyday life. Its flagship location on Louisville’s historic Museum Row, welcomes visitors from across the globe with three floors of interactive exhibits and films on a four-story screen. With daily programming for children, families, and adults, the Science Center plays an ongoing role in the region as a resource for caregivers and teachers, a gathering place for the science community, and a chosen source of entertainment for all.
History
The Kentucky Science Center has a rich history, from its founding as a cabinet of curiosities in the Public Library System of Kentucky in 1871 to its current status as the region’s leading resource for informal science education. As part of the city’s efforts to revitalize downtown, the Science Center opened its doors at 727 West Main Street in July 1977. Its designation by the Kentucky General Assembly as the State Science Center in 2002, and official name change in 2012, underscored its history of reaching all audiences and its active work providing informal science, technology, engineering, and math education to citizens across the Commonwealth.
Boasting at one time little more than a 16,000 piece mineral collection, the Kentucky Science Center is now the largest hands-on science center in the state. Favorites from the collection, including polar bears, and the Gemini Trainer are still on display in the Discovery Gallery.
Explore Kentucky Science Center’s 150 year history with former CEOs Gail Becker and Jo Haas.
Today’s Platform: Science Matters
We exude a “Do Science” philosophy – taking every opportunity to make interesting and fun science connections with the community. Our message is simple: play, tinker, explore, collaborate, test, experiment, goof up, and try again. We don’t care if you get the right answers – the first time or ever. We want you to be endlessly curious, and always wonder about the world around you. We serve as a neutral place to talk about science issues that can often be evocative, and we are here to encourage creative, open-minded thinking about those issues.
Science Matters to Society: Science literacy empowers individuals and communities to ask questions, think creatively, solve problems, and work toward a better quality of life for all.
Science Matters to the Workforce: People who master STEAM subjects and skills are best prepared to seize the opportunities and face the challenges of the 21st century.
Science Matters to Individuals and Families: Curiosity is a critical springboard for early learners filled with wonder and for teens and adults who crave intellectual ways to better understand their world.
At Kentucky Science Center, Science Matters because we make it personal, fun, participatory, and relevant. We are ambassadors of scientific values.
Consider the workforce benefits of Kentucky Science Center partnerships with Samtec’s John Riley and John Ouseph formerly of GE Appliances.
Programming
In recent years Kentucky Science Center has enhanced its programmatic offerings and partnerships, which today include an array of experiences for every audience: very young children, school age students both during and outside of school, teens, teachers and instructional leaders, parents, young professionals, and adults.
Daily operations and exhibits at the flagship location in Louisville include changing facilitated walk-up science experiences, and themed activities and demonstrations. School’s Out Science Camps run all summer long and on days that the Jefferson Country Public School system is out of class providing enriching out-of-school experiences upon which parents can rely. In addition, family movie events, themed Science Celebration weekends, and events specifically for adults represent the flagship facility throughout the year.
While booking school field trips, teachers can select labs, classes, movies from the Science Center library, and pre- and post-visit activities that not only enhance their students’ experience but satisfy statewide curriculum standards. Schools from throughout the region visit the Science Center every year, while others add to their experience through our Science Travels to You programs which include distance learning, assembly programs, community or school-wide Science Festivals, and more.
In 2017, Science in Play2GO, a mobile version representing the philosophy of the onsite exhibit, expanded the Science Center’s offsite offerings with a series of three-month residencies at libraries across the Commonwealth. Science in Play2GO is largely facilitated by the library staff with support from a dedicated Science Center employee hired locally. With this significant investment and an ongoing presence, Science in Play2GO is only the beginning of a community compact that advances science literacy statewide.
Discover the power of our education programming with Chief Operating Officer Mellisa Blankenship and UofL Health’s Dr. Mark Slaughter.
Affiliations
American Association of Museums
Association of Children’s Museums
Association of Science-Technology Centers
Greater Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau
Kentucky Department of Tourism
Louisville Independent Business Alliance
Southeastern Museums Conference