The California Science Center (sometimes spelled California ScienCenter) is a

state agency A government agency or state agency, sometimes an appointed commission, is a permanent or semi-permanent organization in the machinery of government (bureaucracy) that is responsible for the oversight and administration of specific functions, s ...

and

science museum A science museum is a museum devoted primarily to science. Older science museums tended to concentrate on static displays of objects related to natural history, paleontology, geology, Industry (manufacturing), industry and Outline of industrial ...

located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles, next to the

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Nature is an inherent character or constitution, particularly of the ecosphere or the universe as a whole. In this general sense nature refers to the laws, elements and phenomena of the physical world, including life. Although humans are par ...

and the

University of Southern California The University of Southern California (USC, SC, or Southern Cal) is a Private university, private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in ...

. The museum includes many exhibits of aircraft and spacecraft, including Space Shuttle ''Endeavour'''','' multiple hands-on galleries, special exhibitions, and

IMAX IMAX is a proprietary system of High-definition video, high-resolution cameras, film formats, film projectors, and movie theater, theaters known for having very large screens with a tall aspect ratio (image), aspect ratio (approximately ei ...

movies. Billed as the West Coast's largest hands-on science center, this museum is a public-private partnership between the State of California and the California Science Center Foundation. The California Natural Resources Agency oversees the California Science Center and the California African American Museum. Founded in 1951 as the "California Museum of Science and Industry", the Museum was remodeled and renamed in 1998 as the "California Science Center," which hosts the California State Science Fair annually.

History

State Exhibition

The museum's history dates back to the first California State Exhibition building, which opened in Exposition Park in Los Angeles in 1912, the site of an agricultural fairground from 1872 to 1910. The brick and

terra cotta Terracotta, also known as terra cotta or terra-cotta (; ; ), is a clay-based Vitrification#Ceramics, non-vitreous ceramicOED, "Terracotta""Terracotta" MFA Boston, "Cameo" database fired at relatively low temperatures. It is therefore a term used ...

building, designed by William D. Coates, Jr., state architect, and N. Ellery, state engineer, displayed agriculturally-based natural resources and industrial products from across the state, including

ranching A ranch (from /Mexican Spanish) is an area of land, including various structures, given primarily to ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle and sheep. It is a subtype of farm. These terms are most often applied to li ...

, fish and game,

coal mining Coal mining is the process of resource extraction, extracting coal from the ground or from a mine. Coal is valued for its Energy value of coal, energy content and since the 1880s has been widely used to Electricity generation, generate electr ...

, gold mining, oil production, and lumbering, as well as some of the state's recreational attractions. After World War II, the building also featured exhibits about state science and technology industries.

California Museum of Science and Industry

In 1951, the exhibition became the "California Museum of Science and Industry". The State Exhibition building was renamed in honor of major donor and trustee Howard F. Ahmanson as the Howard F. Ahmanson Building. The hands-on interactive exhibits included themes on agriculture, transportation, electricity, energy, industries, and minerals. In 1961, the museum opened a new science wing that featured " Mathematica: A World of Numbers... and Beyond", an exhibit sponsored by

IBM International Business Machines Corporation (using the trademark IBM), nicknamed Big Blue, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, and present in over 175 countries. It is ...

and designed by Charles and Ray Eames to visually demonstrate fundamental mathematical concepts. Interaction stations demonstrated different concepts including

celestial mechanics Celestial mechanics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the motions of objects in outer space. Historically, celestial mechanics applies principles of physics (classical mechanics) to astronomical objects, such as stars and planets, to ...

, the

Möbius strip In mathematics, a Möbius strip, Möbius band, or Möbius loop is a Surface (topology), surface that can be formed by attaching the ends of a strip of paper together with a half-twist. As a mathematical object, it was discovered by Johann Bened ...

, multiplication, symmetry, and

projective geometry In mathematics, projective geometry is the study of geometric properties that are invariant with respect to projective transformations. This means that, compared to elementary Euclidean geometry, projective geometry has a different setting (''p ...

. The original exhibit closed in 1998, and is now on display at the

New York Hall of Science The New York Hall of Science, branded as NYSCI, is a science museum at 4701 111th Street, within Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, in the Corona, Queens, Corona neighborhood of Queens in New York City, New York. It occupies one of the few remain ...

. The Hall of Health was added in 1968.

1984 changes

In preparation for the

1984 Summer Olympics The 1984 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXIII Olympiad and commonly known as Los Angeles 1984) were an international multi-sport event held from July 28 to August 12, 1984, in Los Angeles, California, United States. It marked the ...

, the museum added new exhibits on earthquakes and economics, and an

theater. The opening and closing ceremonies for the games were held in the

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (also known as the Los Angeles Coliseum or L.A. Coliseum) is a multi-purpose stadium in the Exposition Park, Los Angeles, Exposition Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States. Conceived as a hal ...

, which is adjacent to the museum.

California African American Museum

The California African American Museum was founded in 1981 and housed in the California Museum of Science and Industry building until 1984, when its own facility was opened adjacent to the California Aerospace Museum.

1990s and closing

In 1994, the museum's building was damaged by the

Northridge earthquake The 1994 Northridge earthquake affected Greater Los Angeles, California, on January 17, 1994, at 04:30:55 PST. The epicenter of the moment 6.7 () blind thrust earthquake was beneath the San Fernando Valley. Lasting approximately 8 seconds a ...

. The California Museum of Science and Industry closed in 1996 to prepare for a new facility.

California Aerospace Museum

The "California Aerospace Museum" was also opened in 1984 adjacent to and operated by the California Museum of Science and Industry to coincide with the Summer Olympics. It was also known as Aerospace Hall but also commonly known as the California Air and Space Museum/Gallery and the SKETCH Foundation Gallery, and was the first major public work of architect

Frank Gehry Frank Owen Gehry ( ; ; born February 28, 1929) is a Canadian-American architect and designer. A number of his buildings, including his private residence in Santa Monica, California, have become attractions. Gehry rose to prominence in th ...

. The museum focused on the State's history as a leader in the aviation and aerospace industries and featured a giant, hangar-like space with aircraft and space vehicles and artifacts. The building, now known as the Air and Space Gallery, was closed in 2011. In 2012 the building was listed on the

California Register of Historical Resources The California Register of Historical Resources is a California state government program for use by state and local agencies, private groups, and citizens to identify, evaluate, register, and protect California's historical resources. The Calif ...

, but its future is unknown.

Transformation to the ''California Science Center''

In 1988 the museum's leadership began a to develop a three-phase, 25-year master plan to transform the institution from a science museum to a science education facility. This new facility would be known as the ''California Science Center''. The original museum building closed its doors in 1996 to prepare for the new construction, which was designed by

Portland, Oregon Portland ( ) is the List of cities in Oregon, most populous city in the U.S. state of Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region. Situated close to northwest Oregon at the confluence of the Willamette River, Willamette and Columbia River, ...

-based Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership. The original main building (Howard F. Ahmanson building) was redesigned, which the north facade of the Science Center retains the facade of former State Exposition Building that opened to the Exposition Park Rose Garden. However, the remainder of the original building was demolished. When Phase I was completed, the museum was officially renamed as the ''California Science Center'', and was open to the public in 1998.

Phase I

The grand opening of the new California Science Center, which includes: * Science Plaza - Exhibits outside the main entrance of aircraft and science principles. * Exhibits inside the new building ** World of Life - Explores the science of life in five galleries. ** Creative World - Highlights technology in transportation, communications and structures. Features include a virtual reality exhibit to play sports using virtual reality and an earthquake simulator. ** Special Exhibits gallery - Exhibits in this room have included a ''

Titanic RMS ''Titanic'' was a British ocean liner that sank in the early hours of 15 April 1912 as a result of striking an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, United States. Of the estimated 2,224 passengers a ...

'' exhibit, a magic exhibit, a toy exhibit, and the

Human Body The human body is the entire structure of a Human, human being. It is composed of many different types of Cell (biology), cells that together create Tissue (biology), tissues and subsequently Organ (biology), organs and then Organ system, org ...

exhibit. ** ExploraStore - Store specializing in scientific and educational items. * A new seven-story

theater

Phase II

The new ''Ecosystems'' exhibit opened in 2010, allow guests to experience first-hand of the natural world. Other changes included: * Renovated the historic Wallis Annenberg Building building into a new "Building for Science Learning and Innovation", opened in 2004 The building includes the Amgen Center for Science Learning and the K-5 Science Center School, a public magnet school officially known as the Dr. Theodore T. Alexander Jr. Science Center School. * SKETCH Foundation Gallery, Air and Space Exhibits - opened in 2002, a temporary gallery featuring interactive exhibits and artifacts on continuing loan from

NASA The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA ) is an independent agencies of the United States government, independent agency of the federal government of the United States, US federal government responsible for the United States ...

and The

Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian Institution ( ), or simply the Smithsonian, is a group of museums, Education center, education and Research institute, research centers, created by the Federal government of the United States, U.S. government "for the increase a ...

. * Air and Space Gallery (former California Aerospace Museum) closed in 2011, with displays moved into the main Science Center in the SKETCH Foundation Gallery.

Phase III

On April 12, 2011, the California Science Center received Space Shuttle ''Endeavour'' from

. It arrived at the Science Center on October 14, 2016, after it made its epic journey through the streets of Los Angeles. Before its arrival, a building was constructed to temporary house the Space Shuttle. It was on display in the " Samuel Oschin Pavilion" until December 31, 2023. This structure was designed by ZGF Architects and is planned to be replaced with the new ''Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center'' on the east side of the Science Center. The ''Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center'', which begins construction in 2022, a new addition was formerly titled "Worlds Beyond". The new building is designed by ZGF Architects has an addition to the main science center. Construction work is scheduled to be completed in mid-2025 and will take several more years to install the artifacts and exhibits inside the building. An official grand opening is not yet announced. It will house a total of 150 new exhibits.' Inside the new building will be include: *

Korean Air Korean Air Lines Co., Ltd. (KAL; ) is the flag carrier of South Korea and its largest airline based on fleet size, international destinations, and international flights. It is owned by the Hanjin, Hanjin Group. The present-day Korean Air tra ...

Aviation Gallery - This collection of approximately 20 authentic aircraft will be exhibited both on the floor and suspended in mid-air. It includes a replica of the

Wright Brothers The Wright brothers, Orville Wright (August 19, 1871 – January 30, 1948) and Wilbur Wright (April 16, 1867 – May 30, 1912), were American aviation List of aviation pioneers, pioneers generally credited with inventing, building, and flyin ...

’ 1902 Glider; a Harrier T4 jump-jet; a historic F-100 Super Saber; and 50 feet of a real Korean Air

Boeing 747 The Boeing 747 is a long-range wide-body aircraft, wide-body airliner designed and manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes in the United States between 1968 and 2023. After the introduction of the Boeing 707, 707 in October 1958, Pan Am ...

airliner An airliner is a type of airplane for transporting passengers and air cargo. Such aircraft are most often operated by airlines. The modern and most common variant of the airliner is a long, tube shaped, and jet powered aircraft. The largest ...

, which will serve as the centerpiece of the Gallery. * Kent Kresa Space Gallery - This collection examples of spacecraft from every stage of the U.S. human space program. This section includes the Apollo-Soyuz Command Module (ASTP), Mercury MR-2 and

Gemini 11 Gemini 11 (officially Gemini XI) With Gemini IV, NASA changed to Roman numerals for Gemini mission designations. was the ninth crewed spaceflight mission of NASA's Project Gemini, which flew from September 12 to 15, 1966. It was the 17th crewed ...

space capsules, along with an array of engineering models of planetary probes, telescopes and Earth observation spacecraft. * Samuel Oschin Shuttle Gallery - This will showcase the Space Shuttle ''Endeavour'', in a 20-story-tall display, mounted in a vertical full-stack launch position, complete with an ET-94 external tank and a pair of solid rocket boosters. This section includes some parts from ''Endeavour'', and an observation deck to allow guests to view the Space Shuttle at multiple levels.

Permanent exhibits

General Admission for the California Science Center is free for their permanent exhibition galleries, various demonstrations, and other prominent aircraft and spacecraft. There are price charges for special exhibitions, educated films shown in their

theater, and special activities that include a

climbing wall A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with manufactured grips (or "holds") for the hands and feet. Most walls are located indoors, and climbing on such walls is often termed indoor climbing. Some walls are brick or wooden constr ...

, a motion simulator, and a high-wire bicycle.

Current exhibits

World of Life

This exhibit examines the processes of life and similarities among other microscopic organisms. A titan arum flower is now on loan from the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens. It is also home to ''BodyWorks'', a 15-minute show featuring Tess, a 50-foot animatronic human body simulator, with her animated friend, Walt, demonstrating how

homeostasis In biology, homeostasis (British English, British also homoeostasis; ) is the state of steady internal physics, physical and chemistry, chemical conditions maintained by organism, living systems. This is the condition of optimal functioning fo ...

works.

Ecosystems

This two-story, 45,000-square-foot exhibit features display zones with live animals and

aquarium An aquarium (: aquariums or aquaria) is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. fishkeeping, Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aquati ...

s about wildlife and adaptation in different

ecosystem An ecosystem (or ecological system) is a system formed by Organism, organisms in interaction with their Biophysical environment, environment. The Biotic material, biotic and abiotic components are linked together through nutrient cycles and en ...

s, including a river, desert,

polar region The polar regions, also called the frigid zones or polar zones, of Earth are Earth's polar ice caps, the regions of the planet that surround its geographical poles (the North and South Poles), lying within the polar circles. These high latitu ...

, deep sea, ocean, island and urban areas, as well as the entire planet Earth, including a 188,000-gallon kelp tank populated with more than 1,500 live fish, kelp and other marine life with an acrylic tunnel which allows guests to feel surrounded by the sea life.

''Fire! Science & Safety''

This exhibit inside an Casa Del Fuego apartment building showcase the importance of fire safety, and raise awareness on what to do if ever a fire did occurs. It was developed in partnership with the Children's Burn Foundation.

Upcoming exhibits

Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

The ''Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center'' is an upcoming expansion of the California Science Center. This building will include three multi-level galleries, spanning four floors and covering over 100,000 square feet of exhibit space. It will also house special exhibits and events, including the Space Shuttle ''Endeavour''.

Former exhibits

Creative World

This exhibit examines the environment humans build to meet their needs for structures and transportation. It features an earthquake simulator shows the safety features used to construct the Science Center; and nearby hands-on exhibits demonstrate liquefaction and how reinforced vs. non-reinforced construction can determine the sturdiness of a structure.

Collection

Space Shuttle Endeavor at the California Science Center

Spacecraft

* Mercury-Redstone 2 capsule which carried

Ham Ham is pork from a leg cut that has been preserved by wet or dry curing, with or without smoking."Bacon: Bacon and Ham Curing" in '' Chambers's Encyclopædia''. London: George Newnes, 1961, Vol. 2, p. 39. As a processed meat, the term '' ...

, a chimpanzee, the first

great ape The Hominidae (), whose members are known as the great apes or hominids (), are a taxonomic family of primates that includes eight extant species in four genera: '' Pongo'' (the Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli orangutan); '' Gorilla'' (the ...

in space (1961) *

capsule, flown by

Pete Conrad Charles "Pete" Conrad Jr. (June 2, 1930 – July 8, 1999) was an American NASA astronaut, aeronautical engineer, naval officer, aviator, and test pilot who commanded the Apollo 12 mission, on which he became the third person to walk on t ...

and

Richard F. Gordon Jr. Richard Francis "Dick" Gordon Jr. (October 5, 1929 – November 6, 2017) was an American United States Navy, naval officer and United States Naval Aviator, aviator, test pilot, and NASA astronaut, and a American football, football executive. H ...

in 1966 * Apollo-Soyuz Test Project Command Module from the 1975 mission * SpaceX Dragon C108 which reached orbit 3 times and spent nearly 99 days in space *

Rocket Lab Electron Electron is a two-stage, partially reusable launch vehicle, reusable orbital launch vehicle developed by Rocket Lab, an American aerospace company with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. Servicing the commercial small satellite launch market ...

rocket was used to launch satellites into orbit and was the first to use 3D printed engines * SKETCH Foundation Gallery in Science Court - exhibits about the

Solar System The Solar SystemCapitalization of the name varies. The International Astronomical Union, the authoritative body regarding astronomical nomenclature, specifies capitalizing the names of all individual astronomical objects but uses mixed "Sola ...

, space travel and aviation, displays of historic aircraft, space vehicles and equipment, and space telescopes * Space Shuttle ''Endeavour'' is being prepared in new permanent home at the upcoming ''Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center'', in a 20-story-tall display with an

external fuel tank The Space Shuttle external tank (ET) was the component of the Space Shuttle launch vehicle that contained the liquid hydrogen fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer. During lift-off and ascent it supplied the fuel and oxidizer under pressure to the ...

, and a pair of solid rocket boosters.

Aircraft

Douglas DC-8 The Douglas DC-8 (sometimes McDonnell Douglas DC-8) is an early long-range Narrow-body aircraft, narrow-body jetliner designed and produced by the American Douglas Aircraft Company. Work began in 1952 towards the United States Air Force's (USA ...

jetliner * Lockheed F-104D Starfighter * Lockheed A-12 Oxcart two-seater trainer, Serial Number 60-6927 “Titanium Goose” *Replica

Bell X-1 The Bell X-1 (Bell Model 44) is a rocket engine–powered aircraft, designated originally as the XS-1, and was a joint National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics– U.S. Army Air Forces– U.S. Air Force supersonic research project built by B ...

(movie prop from '' The Right Stuff'') *1902

Wright Glider The Wright brothers designed, built and flew a series of three manned Glider (aircraft), gliders in 1900–1902 as they worked towards achieving powered flight. They also made preliminary tests with a kite in 1899. In 1911 Orville conducted test ...

replica *1929

Velie Monocoupe The Velie Monocoupe was an American general aviation aircraft manufactured from 1927 to 1929 by the Mono-Aircraft Corp, a division of Velie Motors Corporation (founded by Willard L. Velie, maternal grandson of John Deere). Design and developmen ...

Northrop T-38 Talon The Northrop T-38 Talon is a two-seat, twinjet Supersonic aircraft, supersonic jet trainer designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Northrop Corporation. It was the world's first supersonic trainer as well as the most produced. ...

Jet Trainer, Serial Number 58-1196 *

Northrop F-20 Tigershark The Northrop F-20 Tigershark (initially F-5G) is a prototype light fighter, designed and built by Northrop Corporation, Northrop. Its development began in 1975 as a further evolution of Northrop's Northrop F-5, F-5E Tiger II, featuring a new ...

* McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A Hornet Serial Number 161725 * Grumman F-11 Tiger Serial Number BuNo 138608

Robotic spacecraft

*Engineering prototype for Viking Lander *'' Cassini-Huygens'' planetary probe (replica) *''

Pioneer 10 ''Pioneer 10'' (originally designated Pioneer F) is a NASA space probe launched in 1972 that completed the first mission to the planet Jupiter. ''Pioneer 10'' became the first of five artificial objects to achieve the escape velocity needed ...

'' planetary probe (replica) * Mariner IV planetary probe (replica) * Pioneer-Venus planetary probe (replica)

Attendance

The Center received 1,694,000 visitors in 2022, making it 6th in the

List of most-visited museums in the United States This is a list of the most-visited museums in the United States in 2024. It is based upon the statistics of the Smithsonian Institution Newsroom (January 2025) and the annual survey of museum attendance by the ''Art Newspaper'' published in ...

and the most-visited U.S. science museum.TEA-AECOM Museum Index, published June 14, 2023

Affiliations

The center has been accredited by the

American Alliance of Museums The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), formerly the American Association of Museums, is a non-profit association whose goal is to bring museums together. Founded in 1906, the organization advocates for museums and provides "museum professionals w ...

and the

Association of Zoos and Aquariums The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), originally the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA), is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1924 and dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aqu ...

, and is a member of the

Association of Science and Technology Centers The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is a non-profit, global organization based in Washington, D.C., in the United States, that provides professional support for science centers, museums, and related institutions. ASTC's g ...

. The museum is also an affiliate in the

Smithsonian Affiliations Smithsonian Affiliations is a division of the Smithsonian Institution that establishes long-term partnerships with non-Smithsonian museums and educational and cultural organizations in order to share collections, exhibitions and educational strat ...

program.

Gallery

File:California Science Center January 2013 001.jpg, View of entire building File:California Science Center January 2013 002.jpg, Entrance to California Science Center, with IMAX Theater at the left File:IMAX at California Science Center.JPG, IMAX Theater at the California Science Center File:California Science Center January 2013 003.jpg, Roof trusses above third floor File:California Science Center January 2013 004.jpg, Roof above third floor

References

External links

*
usc.edu
Brief story about the California Museum of Science and Industry

Remembering the California Museum of Science & Industry
EHDD Architecture
Phase II architects {{authority control Museums in Los Angeles Exposition Park (Los Angeles) Aerospace museums in California Science museums in California History museums in Los Angeles Space Shuttle tourist attractions Science and technology in Greater Los Angeles California Natural Resources Agency Science Center, California Smithsonian Institution affiliates Institutions accredited by the American Alliance of Museums Association of Science-Technology Centers member institutions Museums established in 1951 1951 establishments in California Expressionist architecture South Los Angeles Exposition Park (Los Angeles neighborhood) Postmodern architecture in California

History

State Exhibition

California Museum of Science and Industry

1984 changes

California African American Museum

1990s and closing

California Aerospace Museum

Transformation to the ''California Science Center''

Phase I

Phase II

Phase III

Permanent exhibits

Current exhibits

World of Life

Ecosystems

''Fire! Science & Safety''

Upcoming exhibits

Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center

Former exhibits

Creative World

Collection

Spacecraft

Aircraft

Robotic spacecraft

Attendance

Affiliations

Gallery

See also

References

Further reading

External links