Description: “One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh” the Science Center is a hands on exploratorium for kids of all ages. With four floors, many of earth’s natural sciences are exhibited as well as some of man’s most creative inventions. With just a couple of hours to see the things that interest me most, I went right for the Buhl Digital Dome, an interactive planetarium experience. The 30 minute show that was featured on the afternoon of my visit was “Stars Over Pittsburgh” which looked suspiciously like stars over Milwaukee . . . or Iowa for that matter. The docent who took our group through the electronic depiction of the stars and planets as seen midwinter in the northern hemisphere was knowledgeable and entertaining.
On the second floor next to the Dome are the Miniature Railroad & Village and a new display area (not even on the “What’s Happening” map provided to help you navigate the exhibits) featuring robotics of the 21st century. The mini village depicts life in rural Pennsylvania, probably 50 or 60 years ago. With over 2,000 miniature replicas and some 100 animated scenes including “Main Street” and “County Fair”. Of course, there are Lionel trains that traverse the mountains, steel mills and villages throughout.
The robotics display featured a living room setting with some pretty fancy dancy vacuums that worked the carpets with amazing precision. As they became tired and drained of energy, they automatically sought out their docking station to recharge. About the size of a dinner plate, they were only about three or four inches tall. The bottom had a swirling brush-like motion that sucked up the dirt, lent fuzzies and small scraps of paper.
Also on display in this area was a lunar landing type vehicle Dante II engineered by NASA which was used in the 1990’s to explore Mt. Spur, a volcanic mountain in Alaska. Through the use of this robotic vehicle, scientists were able to get closer than possible by humans allowing for in-depth study and learning to better understand this remote area of our planet.
Up on the third floor is the Seascape, featuring a 2,000 gallon aquarium filled with underwater sea creatures. Kitchen Theatre is another hands on area that allows you to explore science that you can eat. Show times are posted in the admissions ticket area so plan your visit accordingly.
The top floor features over 100 interactive stations, segmented by participants’ ages and educational interests. I took a pass on this area since I really didn’t have time nor kids along with to enjoy the area. I also breezed through the first floor, as I wasn’t up for buying science based gadgets or books, nor did I pay the extra $5.00 to take in the Omnimax movie “Dinosaurs Alive” or “Sea Monsters” . . . although had I been there earlier in the day I might have bought a ticket to see “Wired to Win” featuring Tour de France cyclists illustrating how the human body and mind work together to allow athletes to compete at the highest levels possible.
While visiting the Carnegie Science Center, there is a wonderful food service facility on the ground level. River View Café features three menus: East Street Deli offers sandwiches and subs made to order; Pepperazzi features hand-tossed pizzas; and Sequoia Grill has hot sandwiches and burgers. Of course, the standard kid’s fare of dippin’ dots are available, as well as other ice cream treats and beverages.
Admission to the science center is $14 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3-12 and “older kids” 62 and over. Members receive free admission. They are open year round 10:00am – 5:00pm Sunday through Friday. Saturday has extended hours, open until 7:00pm. Check on specific dates, however, as they are closed on game day for the Pittsburg Steelers as they are located adjacent to Heintz Field home of the Gold and Black.
If you visit Pittsburgh and the Carnegie Science Center before May 4, 2008 you owe it to yourself to take in BODIES – The Exhibition. See my review in this journal for details on this separate admission attraction located in the SportsWorks building across the parking lot from the main building of the science center.
More information is available at:
PH: 412-237-3400
www.CarnegieScienceCenter.org
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