Inside Look: Fall 2023

40 Years of Science

Michelle Kortenaar Executive Director

This year marks the Sciencenter’s 40th anniversary. The foundation of the Sciencenter traces back to a hands-on science program led by Debbie Levin and Ilma Levine at Central Elementary School, now known as Beverly J. Martin. The museum was established in 1983, using temporary locations throughout Ithaca. By 1993, the Sciencenter opened our permanent home.

Our current building is the result of community builds spanning two decades. 3,400 volunteers donated 50,000 hours of their time to build the Sciencenter.

In the last 40 years, we have undergone significant changes. We now welcome over 100,000 guests annually and reach over 1.5 million

INSIDE LOOK

guests worldwide through our traveling exhibitions and outreach programs. We invite every secondgrade student in Tompkins and Cayuga Counties for a free field trip. Schools from further away travel for up to two hours by bus to immerse themselves in science exploration.

The Sciencenter began with a gift– a paper bag filled with nickels, dimes, and quarters donated by children from Central Elementary School—with the intention of “starting a science center.”

As a community-oriented organization, we nurture partnerships with other local non-profits and programs. We welcome GIAC afterschool and summer camp, reach out to libraries as far as Appalachin and Waverly, and host playdates in collaboration with the Finger Lakes Toy Lending Library.

Through our long-standing partnership with Tompkins Community Action, we have organized monthly events for Head Start, welcoming 257 adults and 340 children in the past year.

The Sciencenter continues to thrive thanks to the continuous and diverse support from our vibrant community.

As we embark on the journey of the next 40 years, we extend a warm invitation for you to join us in shaping the future.

Fun, 2, 3, 4 Traveling Exhibition, 1999

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Plan Your Visit

Admission:

General: $10 Seniors: $9 Under 2: Free

Hours:

Tuesday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm

Mondays: Check our website!

Find up-to-date information about our hours, events, programs, and more on our website: sciencenter.org

Thank You Corporate Members!

Arnold Printing Corp

Cargill Deicing Technology

Cayuga Landscape Company

CFCU Community Credit Union

Chemung Canal Trust Co

Fracture Analysis Consultants

Guthrie

Insero & Co. CPAs, LLP

IPM Laboratories, Inc.

Jill Burlington Team of Warren

Real Estate (Jill Burlington, Hickory Lee, Sydney Trumble, Sara Rovitz, and Garrett Venuto)

Linz Real Estate

M&T Bank

Miller Mayer, LLP

Rheonix, Inc.

Sciarabba Walker & Co LLP

T.G. Miller, P.C. Therm, Inc.

Tompkins Trust Company

Travis Hyde Properties

Vector Magnetics

Visions Federal Credit Union Wegmans

Want to become a corporate member? Email membership@sciencenter.org to learn more!

Celebrating Kathy Krafft

Kathy Krafft volunteered at the Sciencenter in 1991 to –as Kathy likes to put it– “build just one exhibit.” Thirty-two years later, we celebrate Kathy’s tenure at the Sciencenter and her much-deserved retirement.

When Kathy started at the Sciencenter her goal was to share exhibits and ideas with other science museums. She has certainly achieved that goal in the last three decades and so much more.

Kathy collaborated with museums to develop, build, and tour traveling exhibitions, presented at conferences about best practices for exhibit fabrication, and has shared her knowledge and expertise with colleagues around the country and at the Sciencenter.

Kathy’s infectious enthusiasm, commitment to serving our visitors, and encyclopedic knowledge of our exhibits will be missed by her colleagues. We’re excited to welcome Kathy back when she visits the Sciencenter with her grandchildren!