Connecticut Science Center
The Connecticut Science Center held its grand opening on June 12, 2009. It surpassed its estimated attendance numbers in the first week it was open to the public fulfilling its promise to be a major attraction to the Adriaen’s Landing Project. It sparks creative imagination and an appreciation for science by immersing visitors in fun and educational hands-on, interactive experiences. Visitors will experience 200 exhibits in 10 galleries and a range of topics, including space and earth sciences, physical sciences, biology, the Connecticut River watershed, Connecticut inventors and innovations, a children’s gallery, and much more. Other visitor amenities include four educational labs, a 200-seat 3D digital cinema, function room, gift store and café, and ongoing events and lectures for all ages.
The Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing science education throughout the State of Connecticut, providing learning opportunities for students and adults of all ages, and engaging the community in scientific exploration.
- Cesar Pelli, of Pelli Clarke Pelli in New Haven, Connecticut, was selected to design the Connecticut Science Center after a competition among architects from around the world.
- “A Center for Curiosity” was one of the names suggested for the new facility before settling on the “Connecticut Science Center”.
- Construction began in January of 2006. Ninety-five percent of the 2,500 tons of steel in the project is manufactured from recycled cars.
- The facility has created over 100 jobs. Many of the iron and steel workers on the construction crew were graduates of the Hartford Jobs Funnel.
