Located at 3145 Hamilton Blvd Bypass, Allentown, PA 18103, the Da Vinci Science Center is changing the way Allentown residents look at science. Connecting kids and adults with science and STEM related fields is pivotal for continuing to develop the technologies of the future. It’s the foundation for our continual progression of technology and understanding, which is why the Da Vinci Science Center sets out to do just that. Since 1992, the Da Vinci Science Center has been pushing the locals of Allentown Pennsylvania to learn about modern technological and scientific achievements, and the possibilities of the future they could participate in.
When the museum just started, it was known as the Science Model Area Resource Team Center, or SMART for short. Back then, the museum functioned out of a building originally used for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, and was mainly for hosting the JASON Project. This project was founded by Dr. Robert Ballard, who was known for discovering the wreckage of the RMS Titanic. The Jason Project was intended for immersing middle school children with real world applications of scientific study and research.
The JASON Project was the primary exhibit of the center until the late 1990‘s when they began expanding the amount of displays and attractions to the museum. By 2003, they conducted a merger with Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse, Inc., which grew the scope of the museum and expanded their resources by a good deal. After this merger, they then became officially known as the Da Vinci Science Center.
Around 2005, the museum moved to a new building in Allentown, which is closer to other museums such as The Haines Mill Museum and the Museum of Indian Culture. This building was custom built for the Da Vinci Science Center, and expanded their ability to cater to more age groups and entertain a broader audience with more visitor oriented attractions.
It has since achieved 93,000 participants, a major mark of progress and achievements for the museum. With their new focus on science and tech, and it’s relation to artistic fields, the museum has achieved considerable success with it’s interactive experiences. Now, the museum serves 142,000 visitors every year, and is considered a landmark in the local area.
The long term success of the museum has led to continual talks for expansion. One proposal that’s come as a result of this is for the Da Vinci Science City. The Da Vinci Science City would be a series of new buildings built in the Easton’s waterfront area that would feature a themed restaurant, a theater, and traveling exhibit galleries that would operate in conjunction with the main museum.
Today, the Da Vinci Science Center is still connecting thousands of kids with the joys of science and learning every year. Locals to Allentown know it as a place that’s perfect for their kids to experience learning and get a hands-on look at the science they learn in school. While the building is still a little small, it’s considered a great place to go for kids to expend some energy on a rainy day. If you have a family and are looking for a place to visit in Allentown, the Da Vinci Science Center might be worth a look.
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