Greensboro Science Center

Greensboro Science Center
Date opened 1957[1]
Location Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
Coordinates 36°07′48″N 79°50′03″W / 36.1299°N 79.8341°WCoordinates: 36°07′48″N 79°50′03″W / 36.1299°N 79.8341°W
Annual visitors 320,000 (2011) [2]
Memberships AZA,[3] AAM[4]
Major exhibits OmniSphere Theater, Animal Discovery Zoological Park, Carolina SciQuarium
Website www.greensboroscience.org

The Greensboro Science Center (formerly known as the Natural Science Center of Greensboro, originally the Greensboro Junior Museum) is a science museum and zoological park established in 1957 and located in Greensboro, North Carolina, USA. It has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 2008, and is a member of the American Alliance of Museums (AAM).

History

The center was established in 1957 as the Greensboro Junior Museum. By its 40th anniversary in 1997, it was attracting some 200,000 visitors each year,[1] and attendance has continued to grow to 320,000 as of 2011.[2]

The current executive director, Glenn Dobrogosz,[5] was hired in 2004[6]

The facility received accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2008.[7]

As part of a $20 million makeover, the zoo opened Time Warner Cable's Extreme Weather Gallery in May 2011, and the HealthQuest exhibit in June 2011.[8]

Exhibits

Rhinoceros iguana in the Animal Discovery section

The Animal Discovery Zoological Park is home to animals including tigers, Bennett's wallabies, white-nosed coati, meerkats, black howler monkeys, and Nile crocodiles, and is designed to showcase the "Science of Survival." Attractions within the zoo include Friendly Farm, Kavanagh Discovery House. and the Davis Kelly Fountain of Youth and Discovery.[8][9]

The Museum includes a dinosaur gallery with a roaring Tyrannosaurus rex model, a Gem and Mineral Gallery, Kid's Alley, Time Warner Cable's Extreme Weather Gallery, HealthQuest, and touch labs that include live snakes, amphibians, and sea animals.[9]

The OmniSphere Theater is a full dome theater where visitors experience everything from the stars to coral reefs in 3D.[9]

The Carolina SciQuarium is an aquarium that features animals including stingrays, African penguins, otters, fishing cats, sharks, mata matas, and moray eels.[10]

The future

In 2009, Greensboro voters considered a $20 million bond referendum for the Natural Science Center. $10 million was planned for SciQuarium, a 250,000 gallon aquarium, more than 75 species of animals, and a stingray touch tank. $10 million is planned for renovations and expansions of existing parts of the center.[11] The master plan for this renovation was developed with the help of Cambridge Seven Associates and Moser-Mayer Phoenix & Associates, and phase 1 (the Carolina SciQuarium) opened in the summer of 2013. Phase 2 will include updates to the current museum, and phase 3 will include new animals in an exhibit called "Endangered Species Village."[12]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Regional Science Center Marks 40 Years of Service". Greensboro News and Record. October 15, 1997. p. 13. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "News 14". Charlotte News 14. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  3. ↑ "List of Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  4. ↑ "American Association of Museums". aam-us.org. AAM. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  5. ↑ Retrieved 12-31-10 News-record.com
  6. ↑ Retrieved 12-31-10 NATCSI.org
  7. ↑ "Natural Science Center gains AZA accreditation". Business Journal: The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area. March 13, 2008. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Natural Science Center of Greensboro". natsci.org. Natural Science Center of Greensboro. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Natural Science Center of Greensboro". eenorthcarolina.org. North Carolina Office of Environmental Education. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  10. ↑ "Carolina Sciquarium". greensboroscience.org. Greensboro Science Center. Retrieved 5 January 2014.
  11. ↑ Packer, Meghan (November 2, 2009). "Voters Will Decide On Natural Science Center Bond". WFMY. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  12. ↑ "Science City, USA Master Plan". greensboroscience.org. Greensboro Science Center. Retrieved 5 January 2014.

External links