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Saint Louis Science Center

DESCRIPTION: The Saint Louis Science Center is one of only two science centers in the country with no general admission charge. The Science Center has three buildings – the main Science Center Building and Exploradome exhibition hall, at 5050 Oakland Ave., across from Forest Park, and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium located within Forest Park on Clayton Avenue.

The Science Center has more than 700 hands-on exhibits, the OMNIMAX® large screen theatre and the Exploradome exhibition gallery. A pedestrian bridge over I-64 connects the main building with the McDonnell Planetarium.

MISSION: “Stimulating interest in and understanding of science and technology throughout the community.”

ADDRESS: The main Science Center building is at 5050 Oakland Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110; the McDonnell Planetarium is located in Forest Park.

PHONE NUMBER: For tickets, show times, or group information call, 314-289-4444 or 1-800-456-SLSC.

WEB SITE: www.slsc.org

GETTING THERE: To get to the Science Center from Downtown St. Louis, take I-64 west to the Kingshighway south exit. Move immediately to the right lane to make a right turn onto Oakland Avenue. Proceed about a half mile. The Science Center's main building will be on the left.

To get to the McDonnell Planetarium (Forest Park Building), take I-64 West to the Kingshighway north exit. Turn right onto Wells. Follow Wells around to enter the park and continue on it until you come to a stop sign. Turn left at the stop sign and proceed to the McDonnell Planetarium.

METROLINK: From Downtown, take MetroLink light rail to the Forest Park station. At the Planetarium you can enter the enclosed pedestrian bridge and cross it to get to the Science Center's main building. MetroLink costs $2.25 per ride.

HOURS: 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday and Saturday; 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., Friday and 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sunday. ** The planetarium is closed on Friday nights.

SUMMER HOURS: 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday and Saturday; 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m. Friday; 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday. ** The Planetarium is closed on Friday and Saturday nights.

HANDICAPPED ACCESS: The Saint Louis Science Center is handicapped accessible. Assistive Listening Devices are available for check out as are Braille visitor guides, TDD machines and wheelchairs.

ADMISSION: Admission is free to the Science Center. There are admission charges to the OMNIMAX® Theater, the Boeing Space Station at the McDonnell Planetarium and most traveling exhibits.

TICKET PRICES: OMNIMAX® Theatre performances are $7, adults; $6, children 2 - 12 and adults 60 and older. Admission to the Discovery Room is $3 per person. Admission to the International Boeing Space Station at the McDonnell Planetarium is $3 per person.

ANNUAL ATTENDANCE: 1.5 million

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • DNA Zone, the only gallery in the world completely dedicated to the emerging science of biotechnology and genetics.
  • Cyberville, an exhibit that focuses on computers, virtual reality and the Internet.
  • Structures, an exhibit that explains how bridges and large buildings are constructed.
  • Human Adventure, an exhibit that explores senses, creativity and culture.
  • Ecology and the Environment-Past which explores tornadoes, earthquakes and dinosaurs.
  • Ecology and the Environment-Present which looks at today's earth-its air, water and land and Ecology and Environment-Future which looks at local solutions to global problems.
  • Discovery Room, a hands-on science experience for families with young children.
  • The OMNIMAX® theatre, a four-story dome theatre with wrap-around sight and sound.
  • Glided Segway tours of Forest Park are available from the McDonnell Planetarium.

JAMES S. MCDONNELL PLANETARIUM: The McDonnell Planetarium, which houses the International Boeing Space Station, allows visitors an opportunity to learn what it is like to live in space through interactive exhibits, laboratories and live demonstrations.

HISTORY: The Academy of Science of St. Louis was founded in 1856 and members displayed personal collections and published scientific papers for the next 130 years. In 1959 the Museum of Science and Natural History opened in St. Louis' Oak Knoll Park where it remained for 26 years. The McDonnell Planetarium in Forest Park opened in 1963. It was merged with the Museum of Science and Natural History in 1985 to become the St. Louis Science Center in Forest Park. By 1988 more than a million visitors came to the Science Center overwhelming the facility's exhibit space. In 1989 a $34 million capital campaign was kicked off to build a new facility on Oakland Avenue and renovate the Forest Park Building. The Oakland Avenue building opened in 1991 and during its first two months it became the most-visited science center in the world. The next year the Forest Park Building reopened and continued its tradition of focusing on space-related topics. At that time, the Science Center was one of the five most attended science centers in the U. S. and one of the top 10 in the world. The Exploradome, an inflatable structure which gives the Science Center more room for large traveling exhibitions opened in 1997 and in 1998 the Science Center welcomed its 15 millionth visitor since 1985.

GIFT SHOP: The ExploreStore carries an exciting selection of puzzles, books, scientific games and experiments, gemstones, fossils, jewelry and educational toys.

WHERE TO GET LUNCH:

  • Fastrack features fresh baked pizza, sandwiches, salads, soups and desserts.
  • Fizz Factory serves snacks, coffee, pretzels, fountain sodas and more.

ANNUAL EVENTS: The Saint Louis Science Center holds several special events annually including the Minority Scientists Showcase in January; Run For the Stars in May, and Halloween trick-or-treating.

WHAT'S NEARBY: Forest Park's other free attractions – the world-famous Saint Louis Zoo, the Missouri History Museum and the Saint Louis Art Museum – are nearby. Forest Park also is home to The Muny outdoor theatre. The park has miles of jogging, biking and skating paths, two golf courses and a lake with paddleboat and gondola rides.

PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Brad J. Nuccio, VP of Sales & Marketing, 314/ 286-4685, bnuccio@slsc.org

 

Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com