Visitors to Kentucky Science Center now have even more opportunities to Do Science thanks to the conclusion of a major renovation project. Completed over the span of 3 months, the recently finalized overhaul of Kentucky Science Center’s 3rd Floor Main Gallery provides visitors with a number of enhanced features.
The 6,000 square foot renovation includes the addition of a catwalk and stairwell to make it easier for visitors to move between floors and a brighter, more open space thanks to newly exposed windows and the removal of several internal walls. New paint and flooring round out the upgrades.
“This renovation was all about looking to the future,” says Kentucky Science Center Chief Executive Officer Mike Norman. “It was a leap of faith to do this work in the spring. But now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted across the state and families are ready to venture out, we’re excited to be able to Do Science with our guests in an upgraded and refreshed space. With our “Feeling” exhibition newly installed in the gallery, plus a great lineup of workshops in MakerPlace and films in our 4-story theater, summer truly is bright at Kentucky Science Center.”
The renovation project supports Kentucky Science Center’s ongoing efforts to complete a new permanent 3rd floor health and humanity experience, entitled Uniquely Human. Encompassing three separate themes – “Thinking”, “Feeling” and “Identity” – Uniquely Human is Kentucky Science Center’s response to the pressures and priorities of our time and offers a means to join in the reckoning of a legacy of inequality that has persisted for far too long. It provides a keen focus on the connection between body and mind and the ways experience and attitudes influence behaviors, while encouraging the development of a broader and more inclusive view of humanity. The final version of Uniquely Human is set to open in late 2022.
Currently, guests can interact with a prototype of Uniquely Human in the updated 3rd Floor Main Gallery. “Feeling” encourages guests to consider how their body and their environment influences their mental state and invites guests to share their feelings with others. Kentucky Science Center staff will be collecting feedback and insights on “Feeling” from guests to inform the final design of Uniquely Human.
Funds for the renovation project were provided by early Uniquely Human sponsors, including Metro Louisville, Caesars Foundation, Ogle Foundation, The Gheens Foundation, and DDW The Color House. Fundraising for additional phases of the Uniquely Human project is ongoing.
Kentucky Science Center is open to the public seven days a week, and our 50,000 square feet of space allows families plenty of opportunity to explore and Do Science safely. To protect our youngest guests, many of whom are not yet eligible for the vaccine, Kentucky Science Center encourages masking for everyone ages 6 and over.
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About Kentucky Science Center (kysciencecenter.org)
Kentucky Science Center is a nonprofit educational institution that encourages people of all ages to Do Science in engaging, educational and entertaining ways to inspire a lifetime of learning. Designated the State Science Center of Kentucky by the 2002 Kentucky General Assembly, Kentucky Science Center features interactive exhibits and engaging programs for children, families, and adults. Kentucky Science Center is committed to growing a scientifically literate community that investigates, questions, and challenges.