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.
FALL EQUINOX 2023 VOLUME 40 ISSUE 2 sciencenter.org
Fun, 2, 3, 4 Traveling Exhibition, 1999
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!