Press Room for the Sciencenter

For all media inquiries, please contact:
Cydney Wixon
Marketing & Communications Manager
(607) 272-0600 ×115
cwixon@sciencenter.org

PRESS RELEASES:

Celebrating 30 Years of Sciencenter’s Science Park/Phase 1 - May 2023

Ithaca, NY – The Sciencenter is thrilled to commemorate a remarkable milestone as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our outdoor Science Park and Phase 1 of the museum. This special occasion marks three decades of community collaboration and dedication, as we recognize the efforts of the 2,200 volunteers who generously contributed over 40,000 hours to the project.

The Sciencenter grew out of the hands-on science program by volunteers Debbie Levin and Ilma Levine. They recognized the importance of making science accessible to underserved youth from an early age. In 1982, community members formed Sciencenter’s first board of directors; many of them remain involved today.

In 1984, the first exhibition space opened at 200 East Buffalo Street, thanks to a donation from Sciarabba Walker. As the Sciencenter grew, it moved to the old Hickey’s Music Store on South Tioga Street. Volunteers built exhibits, a store was added, and schools were invited for hands-on programs. In 1990, the Sciencenter closed temporarily to focus on building a permanent home.

In 1990, the Sciencenter received a significant boost when Vector Magnetics, Inc. generously donated $50,000 to build a permanent home for the Scienenter. The following year, in February 1991, the project was announced at a celebratory event attended by influential guests, including Mayor Benjamin Nichols, Congressman Matt McHugh, and the legendary Carl Sagan. Thanks to Charlie Trautmann, who took on the role of Executive Director, and Board President Bruce Thompson’s efforts, we were able to secure pledges amounting to $250,000 to design and develop a 5,000 sq ft building and an outdoor science park!

Since its inception, the Science Park has served as a beacon of inspiration, sparking curiosity, and scientific exploration in visitors of all ages. Today, we express our deepest gratitude to every individual who has played a part in creating this welcoming space that continues to bring joy and wonder to visitors year after year.

We are excited to announce plans for an outdoor playground refresh. It is time to reimagine and revitalize our Science Park, ensuring that it remains an extraordinary space that captivates and educates future generations.

We invite the entire community to join us in this endeavor by contributing to the Science Park Redesign Fund. Your generous support will help us create an even more engaging, interactive, and inclusive environment where children and families can discover the wonders of science through play.

To make a donation, please click here.

About the Sciencenter:
The Sciencenter is a hands-on science museum located in Ithaca, NY. Its mission is to inspire excitement for science through interactive exhibits and programs that engage, educate, and empower. The museum serves over 100,000 visitors each year and has been a cornerstone of the Ithaca community since 1983.

New Multi-Sensory Art Installation at the Sciencenter - May 2023

Ithaca, NY – The Sciencenter is thrilled to announce the opening of “Somewhere WAY Over the Rainbow,” an extraordinary multi-sensory art installation created by Ivy Stevens-Gupta. This unique project, which combines science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM), aims to engage and inspire individuals of all abilities, including those with vision or hearing loss, mobility issues, and neurodiversity.

Designed with accessibility in mind, “Somewhere WAY Over the Rainbow” boasts a plethora of features that cater to a diverse range of abilities. The installation incorporates braille, capacitive touch, scratch and sniff, and tactile components, allowing individuals to engage with the artwork through various senses.

“We are so excited to host Ivy’s artwork: “Somewhere WAY Over the Rainbow” at the Sciencenter,” says Adrienne Testa, Director of Exhibits and Facilities. “The art will be colorful, engaging, and interactive so we think the Sciencenter is the perfect first venue for this installation. We are also inspired by Ivy’s commitment to creating an exhibit that is designed with accessibility as a priority.”

While the exhibit has something for people of all ages, it is especially suited for those aged 3- 12 years. Depending on the age of your child, you can expect to spend a good hour interacting with the installation.

“Somewhere WAY Over the Rainbow” will be at the Sciencenter from June 1 to August 30. This installation is included with general admission to the Sciencenter.

This installation is supported by a grant from The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), with backing from the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

About Ivy Steven-Gupta:
Based in Ithaca, New York, USA, multi-talented artist, Ivy Steven-Gupta is internationally recognized for her contemporary art and expertise in color theory. With a background in business and marketing, she brings a unique perspective to their creative work. Ivy’s vibrant and custom-designed paintings can be found worldwide and have been featured in renowned publications.

Sciencenter introduces new Farmers’ Market exhibit - June 2022

Sciencenter introduces new Farmers’ Market exhibit

Ithaca, New York – The Sciencenter is excited to announce its newest exhibit, Little Sprouts Farmers’ Market. This exhibit, located on their Curiosity Corner playground, allows kids to plant and harvest toy vegetables in a garden bed and take them to the market to sell. They can use the cash register to sell their vegetables, weigh them with a scale, and transport them with toy wheelbarrows. This fun exhibit features artwork by local artist Audra Lisner. The new exhibit is already open to the public and has been a hit with children and adults alike! The new Farmers’ Market exhibit was made possible in part with a grant from the Tompkins County Tourism Program.

This exhibition is one of several exciting changes happening at the Sciencenter this summer. Currently, local muralist Molly Reagan is working on a mural in the Sciencenter lobby area that will showcase an upcoming exhibit. There is also a new bubble exhibit out on the Science Playground. In addition, the Sciencenter Exhibits Team is working on upgrades to their popular Watergates exhibit. They also have animals on the move at the museum. A group of popular Sciencenter animals are moving to a space upstairs that will feature interactive animal experiences led by staff and volunteers.

Stop by the Sciencenter this summer to explore the museum and see all the fun changes happening!

About the Sciencenter:
The Sciencenter inspires excitement for science through interactive exhibits and programs that cultivate a broad community of curious, confident, critical thinkers. The museum offers guests of all ages exhibits, educational programs, a gift shop, two seasonal outdoor science parks, and seasonal mini-golf (now open). The museum is currently open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Thursday from 10 am – 8 pm, and Sunday from noon to 5 pm. General admission is $8 (ages 2 – 64), $7 for seniors (65+), and free to members and toddlers under 2. For membership information and information regarding current programs and activities, please visit sciencenter.org. The Sciencenter is a proud member of the Discovery Trail in Ithaca.
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Sciencenter Gets New Look and New Exhibits - September 2022

Sciencenter Gets New Look and New Exhibits

Ithaca, New York – Over the past few months, the Sciencenter has undergone some exciting changes. There’s so much to explore, from design changes in the museum to brand new exhibits and the revitalization of older exhibits.

When you walk into the Sciencenter, you’re greeted with fun pops of color from the new bright blue and green walls. The new look of the museum engages guests from the moment they walk in the door. In addition to bright new colors, there are two new indoor murals at the Sciencenter, painted by local artist Molly Reagan. The first mural is an abstract piece in the museum entry area and is the backdrop of the Sciencenter’s new Airways Maze exhibit. The second mural is located in the back of the Sciencenter’s Watergates Gallery and is a fun depiction of a rover on Mars! This mural is the backdrop for the new Mars Rover exhibit.
The museum is also in the process of adding new wayfinding signage throughout the Sciencenter. This bright new signage will make it easier for guests to find their way around the museum. The Sciencenter collaborated with the Finger Lakes Independence Center to ensure that the signage would help to create a more accessible space for all visitors.
In addition to cosmetic changes, The Sciencenter’s Exhibits Team has created new experiences for museum guests. Out on the Science Playground, guests will find a new bubble exhibit. In this exhibit, guests can experience bubbles in a fun new way by using tubes of air and mist to build bubbles!

Inside the museum, the Sciencenter Exhibits Team took a favorite exhibit, Watergates, and revitalized it. The changes to this exhibit allow for a more engaging, accessible, and educational interaction, where guests can use a duck elevator to send a rubber duck down a flume, then place gates in the flume to observe water flow phenomena. A new magnet wall is also featured in this gallery space. This is an interactive wall where guests can use blowers, magnetic tubes, and ramps to engineer a pathway or loop for a ping pong ball.

There’s also a new Build Space at the museum! The space, specifically designated for engineering projects, allows guests to use their imaginations to build creations from various materials. This area gives children a place to get creative, problem solve, and conceptualize their ideas. Guests can build big with PVC pipes, build strong structures and test them on the Shake Table, or grab a friend and build together with wooden planks.

Another new exhibit recently came to life in the Sciencenter’s entryway. Airways Maze allows guests to watch what happens when they send scarves through a fifteen-foot air tube maze. This impressive exhibit will engage guests as they learn about gravity and air!

When asked about all of the changes at the museum, the Sciencenter’s Director of Exhibits and Facilities, Adrienne Testa, said, “we spent a long time observing visitors, consulting with partners, and building prototypes for these exhibits. It’s gratifying to see people notice the changes in the museum and engage in new ways!”

All of these changes were made possible in part by grants and sponsorship from Tompkins County Tourism Program (Little Sprouts Farmers’ Market, Bubble Domes, and wayfinding changes), from BorgWarner (Build Space and Watergates), Institute of Museum and Library Services (Watergates and Airways Maze), and Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County, J.M. McDonald Foundation, and Tompkins Community Bank (Airways Maze).

There’s so much happening at the Sciencenter! It’s a great place to bring the family to explore, connect, and create through science.

About the Sciencenter:
The Sciencenter offers interactive exhibits and programs that cultivate a broad community of curious, confident, critical thinkers. The museum offers guests of all ages exhibits, educational programs, a gift shop, two seasonal outdoor science parks, and seasonal mini-golf (now open). General admission is $8 (ages 2 – 64), $7 for seniors (65+), and free to members and toddlers under 2. For current hours, membership information and information regarding current programs and activities, please visit sciencenter.org. The Sciencenter is a proud member of the Discovery Trail in Ithaca.

Spooky Science is Back - October 2022

Sciencenter Spooky Science: Free Community Event

ITHACA, NY – Grab your costume and head down to the Sciencenter to celebrate Spooky Science on Sunday, October 30, from 12-4 pm! The Sciencenter is so excited to bring back this much-loved community celebration, where kids of all ages can come and enjoy science exhibits and activities with a fun, spooky spin! This event features special presentations, hands-on activities, and fun exhibits to explore. Admission to Spooky Science is free to all and is made possible with the generous support of Rheonix.

Bring the whole family and explore their current featured exhibition, TreeHouses. Interact with animals at their Tide Pool Touch Tank, enjoy cool chemistry shows at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30, and 3:30, led by the Ithaca College Chemistry Club, take part in fun, hands-on activities like Shaking Skeletons, Bleeding Paper, Twirling Ghosts, and much more!
The Sciencenter can’t wait to welcome everyone back to Spooky Science this year! Don’t miss this fun community event for all ages!

About the Sciencenter:
The Sciencenter offers interactive exhibits and programs that cultivate a broad community of curious, confident, critical thinkers. The museum offers guests of all ages fun, hands-on exhibits, educational programs, a gift shop, two seasonal outdoor science parks, and seasonal mini-golf (now open). For current hours, membership information, and information regarding current programs and activities, please visit sciencenter.org. The Sciencenter is a proud member of the Discovery Trail in Ithaca.

Green Tree Pythons Hatch at the Sciencenter - September 2022

Green Tree Pythons Hatch at the Sciencenter – September, 2022

Ithaca, New York – The Sciencenter has exciting news– Green tree pythons (Morelia Viridis) have hatched at the museum! The eggs were laid on July 22, and on Thursday, September 8, the babies began to hatch and emerge from their eggs. Slowly they will leave the nest box and venture out into the exhibit space. Visitors can see the babies for the next week or two until they are pulled from the exhibit to begin feedings to help get them established.

In pythons, females will maternally incubate their eggs by coiling around them until they hatch. They can control the incubation temperature by way of muscle contractions – similar to human shivering. This breeding event occurred just like it would have in the wild. This exciting event is likely the very first green tree python clutch to be maternally incubated and hatched on exhibit! The Sciencenter’s Curator of Live Exhibits, Colin Meeks, and the Sciencenter’s Animal Keepers worked diligently to help this incredible feat come to pass.

Green tree python babies hatch a bright red or yellow, which helps them camouflage while they spend their early years near the ground. They then go through an ontogenetic (developmental) color change to their green adult coloration when they are approximately 1-3 years old, as they start spending most of their time in the rainforest canopy. Green tree pythons are native to Australia and parts of Indonesia including New Guinea.

People are encouraged to visit the Sciencenter and see the babies while they are out in the exhibit space.