Mission:
The California Science Center aspires to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone by creating fun, memorable experiences, because we value science as an indispensable tool for understanding our world, accessibility and inclusiveness, and enriching people’s lives.
Background:
The California Science Center is a dynamic destination where families, school groups, adults and young children can explore the wonders of science through interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, innovative programs, and awe-inspiring large-format movies. Located in historic Exposition Park, the Science Center is comprised of the Howard F. Ahmanson Building, containing permanent and special exhibit galleries, and the Wallis Annenberg Building for Science Learning and Innovation, used for educational and professional development programs.
Permanent Exhibitions:
Ecosystems explores the links between the living and physical worlds, featuring an unprecedented blend of live plants and animals, and hands-on science exhibits in 11 immersive environments.
World of Life takes a surprising new look at the living world – from an up-close peek at the tiniest creatures to a larger-than-life encounter with the human body. Visitors can engage in hands-on exhibits, observe real plants and animals, and learn how living things from across the tree of life grow, develop, and survive.
Air and Space Exhibits present real aerospace artifacts along with hands-on exhibits that show how scientific principles affect air and spacecraft design.
Endeavour Together: Parts & People celebrates Endeavour’s many scientific achievements and strong connection to California where all of the space shuttle orbiters were built. The future Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center, a major expansion envisioned as the third phase of the Science Center’s three-decade Master Plan, will feature Endeavour in the world’s only authentic space shuttle stack in “ready to launch” position as the centerpiece of an impressive aircraft and spacecraft artifact collection, along with engaging hands-on science exhibits (opening date to be confirmed).
Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Work in Progress Gallery offers a sneak peek at new artifacts planned for the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center whilst reliving past milestones of space shuttle Endeavour’s historic arrival and dramatic stacking process.
(Fact sheets are available for Ecosystems, World of Life, Air and Space Exhibits, and space shuttle Endeavour.)
Exhibit Highlights:
Ecosystems is home to a 188,000-gallon kelp tank populated with almost 60 species of live fish, invertebrates, and kelp. The acrylic tunnel allows guests to feel surrounded by the sea life found off the Southern California coast.
World of Life is where Tess, the 50-foot body simulator and star of BodyWorks, and her cartoon sidekick Walter demonstrate how the body maintains balance or homeostasis in a 15-minute multimedia show.
The Air and Space Exhibits collection includes aircrafts such as the Northrop F-20 Tigershark and Northrop T-38 Talon jet fighters, as well as actual flown space capsules from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo-Soyuz missions.
Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center Work in Progress Gallery features several favorites from the former Samuel Oschin Endeavour Pavilion, including an interactive video tour of the interior of Endeavour, and the Space Shuttle Main Engine. Mission 26: The Big Endeavour photo exhibition documenting space shuttle Endeavour’s final flight over California and 12-mile, 68-hour journey through the streets of Los Angeles to the Science Center. Also featured are select new space artifacts that will ultimately be displayed in the future Air and Space Center, including the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft and Rocket Lab Electron rocket.
Outdoor Exhibits:
The Robert H. Lorsch Family Pavilion, a massive open-air drum 88 feet high and 100 feet in diameter, features the following intriguing structures: the Aerial, a hanging sculpture of 1,578 gold and palladium balls (3-7 inches in diameter), is suspended high above the DNA Bench, and the DNA Bench, a sculpture representing a cross section of the DNA strand. The bench, resembling a ring of rose petals from the aerial perspective, is 30 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. It is flat on top for visitor seating and also features engraved, thought-provoking quotations and images. Together, these two exhibits – the Aerial and DNA Bench – inspire reflections on life, from the microscopic level to the outer reaches of the universe.
The California Gate, at first glance, appears to be a 13-foot-tall sculpture consisting of two abstract shapes of granite. A closer look reveals that the space between the two granite pieces is the outline of the state of California. The sculpture demonstrates the use of positive and negative space.
The Roy A. Anderson Blackbird Exhibit and Garden offers an up-close view of the only A-12 Blackbird trainer ever built, along with gardens and exhibits surrounding the parking structure that invite a closer look at the amazing biodiversity found throughout Southern California.
The Giant Lever Exhibit allows guests to lift a Toyota Tundra truck, showing how levers can make it easy to lift heavy loads. This truck was used to transport Endeavour across the 405 freeway during the orbiter’s 3-day, 3-night journey from LAX to the Science Center.
IMAX Theater:
With a 7-stories high and 90-foot-wide movie screen, dual 4K laser projection, and a 12-channel surround sound system, the IMAX Theater’s movies, shown in classic 2D and 3D format, immerse audiences in breathtaking sights and sounds as they cross continents, travel oceans and visit outer space.
Additional Science Center Highlights:
Newly refreshed, multi-functional Donald P. Loker Conference Center for conferences, trade shows, gala dinners, and other private events.
Weingart Foundation Special Exhibits Gallery and S. Mark Taper Foundation Sky Court Gallery, where guests explore changing exhibits from other museums and exhibitors, as well as the Science Center. Currently on view is LEONARDO DA VINCI: Inventor. Artist. Dreamer. featuring 30 ingenious inventions built by contemporary Italian artisans according to da Vinci’s drawings.
The 4,000 square foot ExploraStore is complete with fun and educational, interactive products, books, toys, and films.
Additional Learning Facilities:
Science Center School, a collaboration of the California Science Center and Los Angeles Unified School District, is a 52,000 square foot TK-5 public elementary school with an enriched math- and science-focused curriculum for students from the neighborhoods surrounding Exposition Park. The school is located in the historic Wallis Annenberg Building for Science Learning and Innovation and in the adjacent north building. It consists of 28 classrooms, a library/media center and multi-purpose dining room.
The Wallis Annenberg Building for Science Learning and Innovation is the hub of the Science Center’s education programming, including community and public programs and professional development for educators, parents, and community-based organizations. Wallis Annenberg Building features include a multimedia library, classroom laboratories and the Big Lab, an area with giant experimentation platforms.
Funding:
The California Science Center is a department of the State of California. The affiliated nonprofit California Science Center Foundation provides support for exhibits, education programs and services.
Visitors:
Since opening in 1998, the California Science Center has welcomed more than 42 million guests and has consistently ranked among the most visited museums in the nation.
Hours:
Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Admission:
Admission to Science Center exhibits is free, with the exception of Special Exhibitions. IMAX Theater tickets range from $9.79 for adults to $7.59 for children; discounts available for groups of 15+. Online transactions are subject to a $4 fee per person.
Address & Parking:
California Science Center, 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037.
Enter the visitor lot at Figueroa and 39th / Exposition Park Drive.
Parking is $20 per car, $20 for school bus parking, $42 Oversized (charter buses, limousines, RVs, etc.); Special Event & After-Hours Parking (after 5pm) is $24.
Food Service:
Trimana and IMAX concessions.
Group Tour Information & Reservations:
Reservations are required for groups of 15 or more for both the Science Center and IMAX Theater: Phone (213) 744-2019 to make a reservation.
General Information:
(323) SCIENCE (323-724-3623) or visit www.californiasciencecenter.org
