McWane Science Center: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:McWane Science Center.jpg|right|thumb| | [[Image:McWane Science Center.jpg|right|thumb|450px|McWane Science Center, view down 3rd Avenue North. October 18, 2007]] | ||
The '''McWane Science Center''' is a non-profit hands-on science museum and research archive located at 200 [[19th Street North]] in downtown [[Birmingham]]. It first opened in [[1998]] after extensive renovations of the former [[Loveman's]] department store and the construction of an adjacent 280-seat IMAX Dome theater. | The '''McWane Science Center''' is a non-profit hands-on science museum and research archive located at 200 [[19th Street North]] in downtown [[Birmingham]]. It first opened in [[1998]] after extensive renovations of the former [[Loveman's]] department store and the construction of an adjacent 280-seat IMAX Dome theater. | ||
The center reported 428,820 visitors in [[2008]], making it the fourth-most popular admission-charging attraction in the state. | The center reported 428,820 visitors in [[2008]], making it the fourth-most popular admission-charging attraction in the state. The CEO of McWane Science Center is [[Amy Templeton]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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==Exhibits== | ==Exhibits== | ||
The McWane Science Center houses several permanent exhibits, including the 9,000 square-foot "ScienceQuest" interactive exhibit floor, the "World of Water" aquarium, the "Challanger Learning Center" space shuttle simulation, "Just Mice Size", a stimulating environment for young children. | The McWane Science Center houses several permanent exhibits, including the 9,000 square-foot "ScienceQuest" interactive exhibit floor, the 45,000 gallon "World of Water" aquarium, the "Challanger Learning Center" space shuttle simulation, "Just Mice Size", a stimulating environment for young children. | ||
In addition to the IMAX Dome theater, used for feature presentations, | In addition to the 280-seat IMAX Dome theater, used for feature presentations, there is a Rushton Science Theater for live multimedia presentations, wet labs for classroom-style teaching, and several smaller seating areas for demonstrations. | ||
The "Alabama Collections Center" is the home for more than 500,000 artifacts from the former [[Red Mountain Museum]]. The center houses precious minerals, fossils and Native American artifacts. Highlights in the collection include the world's fourth-largest collection of mosasaurs; the [[Appalachiosaurus]] (the Alabama Tyrannosaurus); and the state fossil of Alabama, the [[Basilosaurus]] (an 80 foot fossil whale). | The "Alabama Collections Center" is the home for more than 500,000 artifacts from the former [[Red Mountain Museum]]. The center houses precious minerals, fossils and Native American artifacts. Highlights in the collection include the world's fourth-largest collection of mosasaurs; the [[Appalachiosaurus]] (the Alabama Tyrannosaurus); and the state fossil of Alabama, the [[Basilosaurus]] (an 80 foot fossil whale). | ||
In February [[2011]], a giant octopus was added to a 1,000 gallon Ocean Journey tank as part of a renovation to the World of Water exhibit which is housed in on the lower level of the building. | |||
Birmingham Children's Museum Itty Bitty Magic City, a 9,300-square-foot space designed for toddlers and preschoolers, opened on [[May 16]], [[2015]]. The area is composed of Main Street featuring a fire station, a farm, a veterinarian clinic, a market, a diner and a garage; Tot Spot; water play; and a climbing structure. There are also two classrooms for educational presentations. The space took five years of planning and 14 months to construct. | |||
[[File:Itty Bitty Magic City 2018.jpg|center]] | |||
In [[2024]] the museum announced plans to construct a 7,000 square-foot hip-hop themed interactive science exhibit entitled "Dropping Science". Aki Carpenter of Ralph Appelbaum Associates was hired as lead designer. The [[Birmingham City Council]] appropriated $450,000 toward the $3.2 million project. | |||
===Artworks=== | |||
The McWane Science Center houses several large-scale art installations which share a science theme. The '''Joseph S. Bruno Science Plaza''' outside the IMAX cinema features Eric Orr's "[[Birmingham Prime Matter]]", a 30' tall triangular pylon that evokes the "four elements" known to ancient natural science. A large-scale interactive kinetic sculpture, [[Linear Motion]], was added in [[2008]]. George Rhoads' "[[Vulcan's Dream]]" is a large "ball machine sculpture" located on one end of the lobby. The other end, below the "high cycle", is dominated by Tim Prentice's "[[Duo Decimal Dance]] with nine rotating wheels. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
*McWane Science Center | * "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=McWane_Science_Center McWane Science Center]" (March 7, 2007) Wikipedia - accessed July 9, 2007 | ||
* Williams, Roy L. (March 3, 2009) "Space & Rocket Center tops list of state attractions, tourism agency says." {{BN}} | |||
* Hickerson, Patrick (March 10, 2011) "Revamped McWane Science Center aquarium to make big splash in Birmingham." {{BN}} | |||
* Songer, Joe (May 15, 2015) "[http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2015/05/itty_bitty_magic_city_opens_sa.html Itty Bitty Magic City opens Saturday at McWane Science Center]." {{BN}} | |||
* Garrison, Greg (February 14, 2024) "McWane Center plans $3.2 million hip-hop exhibit to be created by Obama Museum designer." {{AL}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
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* [http://www.imax.com/ IMAX Corporation] | * [http://www.imax.com/ IMAX Corporation] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:McWane Science Center|*]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:1998 establishments]] | ||
[[Category:1998 buildings]] | |||
Latest revision as of 11:21, 27 February 2024
The McWane Science Center is a non-profit hands-on science museum and research archive located at 200 19th Street North in downtown Birmingham. It first opened in 1998 after extensive renovations of the former Loveman's department store and the construction of an adjacent 280-seat IMAX Dome theater.
The center reported 428,820 visitors in 2008, making it the fourth-most popular admission-charging attraction in the state. The CEO of McWane Science Center is Amy Templeton.
History
The McWane Science Center is named after the McWane family and McWane, Inc. both of which helped fund the center. It was the end result of a project begun shortly after the merging of the Red Mountain Museum and Discovery Place children's museum in 1991. The combined board began fund raising for a new museum with the working title of Discovery 2000. The site of the existing Red Mountain Museum was considered, but the difficulty of accommodating school buses and the city's reticence about upgrading the road cut walkway for handicapped accessibility made it clear that moving was the only option. With major funding from the owners of McWane, Inc., the McWane Center took its present form.
Exhibits
The McWane Science Center houses several permanent exhibits, including the 9,000 square-foot "ScienceQuest" interactive exhibit floor, the 45,000 gallon "World of Water" aquarium, the "Challanger Learning Center" space shuttle simulation, "Just Mice Size", a stimulating environment for young children.
In addition to the 280-seat IMAX Dome theater, used for feature presentations, there is a Rushton Science Theater for live multimedia presentations, wet labs for classroom-style teaching, and several smaller seating areas for demonstrations.
The "Alabama Collections Center" is the home for more than 500,000 artifacts from the former Red Mountain Museum. The center houses precious minerals, fossils and Native American artifacts. Highlights in the collection include the world's fourth-largest collection of mosasaurs; the Appalachiosaurus (the Alabama Tyrannosaurus); and the state fossil of Alabama, the Basilosaurus (an 80 foot fossil whale).
In February 2011, a giant octopus was added to a 1,000 gallon Ocean Journey tank as part of a renovation to the World of Water exhibit which is housed in on the lower level of the building.
Birmingham Children's Museum Itty Bitty Magic City, a 9,300-square-foot space designed for toddlers and preschoolers, opened on May 16, 2015. The area is composed of Main Street featuring a fire station, a farm, a veterinarian clinic, a market, a diner and a garage; Tot Spot; water play; and a climbing structure. There are also two classrooms for educational presentations. The space took five years of planning and 14 months to construct.
In 2024 the museum announced plans to construct a 7,000 square-foot hip-hop themed interactive science exhibit entitled "Dropping Science". Aki Carpenter of Ralph Appelbaum Associates was hired as lead designer. The Birmingham City Council appropriated $450,000 toward the $3.2 million project.
Artworks
The McWane Science Center houses several large-scale art installations which share a science theme. The Joseph S. Bruno Science Plaza outside the IMAX cinema features Eric Orr's "Birmingham Prime Matter", a 30' tall triangular pylon that evokes the "four elements" known to ancient natural science. A large-scale interactive kinetic sculpture, Linear Motion, was added in 2008. George Rhoads' "Vulcan's Dream" is a large "ball machine sculpture" located on one end of the lobby. The other end, below the "high cycle", is dominated by Tim Prentice's "Duo Decimal Dance with nine rotating wheels.
References
- "McWane Science Center" (March 7, 2007) Wikipedia - accessed July 9, 2007
- Williams, Roy L. (March 3, 2009) "Space & Rocket Center tops list of state attractions, tourism agency says." The Birmingham News
- Hickerson, Patrick (March 10, 2011) "Revamped McWane Science Center aquarium to make big splash in Birmingham." The Birmingham News
- Songer, Joe (May 15, 2015) "Itty Bitty Magic City opens Saturday at McWane Science Center." The Birmingham News
- Garrison, Greg (February 14, 2024) "McWane Center plans $3.2 million hip-hop exhibit to be created by Obama Museum designer." AL.com