The Sciencenter’s beloved Science Park has always been a story of community. In the early 1990s, 2,200 volunteers contributed more than 40,000 hours to transform Ithaca’s former water treatment plant into the beginnings of the Sciencenter and its outdoor science playground. Now, more than 30 years later, the Science Park is evolving —with the help of our dedicated volunteers.
Generations of children have whispered across the park with parabolic dishes, crossed the Kevlar suspension bridge, and made music on outdoor instruments. Each exhibit invites play while sparking curiosity about the science that shapes our world.
With input from kids and families, and the dedication of volunteers, new exhibits are being added for today’s explorers.
“The Science Park is being reinvigorated through community support! We are so excited to reopen the park with a new water feature and several other exhibits that will inspire curiosity in our community.”
- Adrienne Testa, Director of Exhibits and Facilities
We are creating a dynamic water feature with three interactive elements. Volunteers began the work, moving rocks and shaping the area, continuing the tradition of community building. Local businesses have donated time and goods to help the project come to life.
WHAT’S NEXT
Coming soon: a Stump House with an optical illusion ceiling, a Rope Net Climber, and two soundbased exhibits that will bring fresh energy to the park.
With these updates, the Science Park continues to inspire wonder, foster play, and celebrate the power of community for generations to come.
Stay tuned as the project unfolds!
This project is supported by JM McDonald Foundation, Tompkins County Tourism, and Institute of Museum and Library Services Award No MA-253353-OMS-23.
INSIDE OUR EXHIBIT DEVELOPMENT
PROCESS
The Sciencenter is in the third year of a five-year project to create a hands-on exhibition exploring how Biomedical Engineering (BME) helps protect and heal the human body. Visitors will discover how biomedical engineers design lifechanging technologies, from targeted medicines to engineered tissue. Once complete, the exhibition will join our portfolio of traveling exhibitions, touring museums nationwide.
YEAR 1–2: COLLABORATION & CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
We partnered with faculty and graduate students from Cornell University’s Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering to explore
labs, share ideas, and test early concepts. These collaborations helped shape the “Big Idea,” learning goals, and the look and feel of the exhibition.
“Working on the BME Sciencenter project has been rewarding, deepening my appreciation for science communication and teaching me to tailor complex ideas for different audiences.” - Serafina Lopez, BME graduate student
YEAR 2–3: PROTOTYPING & DESIGN
Next, we built and tested prototypes with Sciencenter visitors, learning what sparks curiosity and encourages problem-solving. This year, we’re finalizing design and beginning fabrication in our in-house workshop, while continuing to test interactives on the floor.
YEAR 4: ON THE FLOOR
The exhibition will make its debut at the Sciencenter, where we’ll refine interactives and develop educational activities that travel with the exhibition.
YEAR 5: ON THE ROAD
The finished exhibition will begin touring! Its first stop will be at spectrUM Discovery Area in Missoula, MT—our partner throughout the process.
Through collaboration, prototyping, and visitor feedback, we’re creating an exhibition that will inspire audiences to think like biomedical engineers.
This project is made possible through support from the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health, Award No. R25EB035479. EXHIBIT DEVELOPMENT PROCESS & TIMELINE
ASK COLIN: MANGROVES & CORAL REEFS
Our Director of Live Exhibits, Colin Meeks, shares a behind-thescenes look at the Sciencenter’s new mangrove and coral reef exhibit, now in development. The Ocean Gallery’s new tanks will be home to corals, mangroves, seahorses, and more.
How do corals grow and thrive?
“Corals host microscopic algae called zooxanthellae within their tissues. This symbiotic algae provides much of the energy corals need to grow and thrive, which is why they depend on clean, clear water and bright sunlight. Many corals also need very precise and stable water conditions to produce their hard, bony skeletons made of calcium carbonate. To grow a coral reef in our museum, we have to carefully re-create these specialized conditions: clean, clear water, strong light, and precise water chemistry. It is not an easy task!”
Could you share a bit about conservation and the inhabitants of these tanks?
“Coral reefs and mangrove forests are crucially important habitats both for the environment and for humans. Both ecotypes, teeming with life, absorb a lot of carbon from the atmosphere, and they also help buffer and mitigate large storm surges from hurricanes and other storms, which helps reduce flooding and protect coastlines.”
This project is made possible by Triad Foundation, JM McDonald Foundation, Legacy Foundation, and Tompkins County Tourism.
Honoring Charlie Trautmann with ASTC’s Leading Edge Award
The Sciencenter congratulates founding director, Charlie Trautmann as the recipient of the 2025 Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award, presented at the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference. The Sciencenter was proud to nominate Charlie for this honor.
“This award honors the vision of the Sciencenter’s founders and our community’s work to spark curiosity in young people. I’m proud to have been part of its legacy of inclusivity and access as former director.” – Charlie Trautmann, Executive Director Emeritus
Charlie, who retired in 2017, was recognized by ASTC as having guided the Sciencenter’s growth from a grassroots community effort into a nationally recognized model institution. His leadership has advanced the field of informal science education through national initiatives, cross-institutional collaborations, and the mentorship of leaders around the world.
Upcoming Event
Sunday, October 26
Join us for our annual free community event, Spooky Science ! Families are invited to explore the museum in their favorite costumes and enjoy a day filled with eerie experiments and hands-on activities.
Plan Your Visit
Find up-to-date information about our hours, events, programs, and more on our website: sciencenter.org
Spooky Science is sponsored by Tompkins County Tourism.
Charlie Trautmann & Michelle Kortenaar, ASTC Conference September 2025
