Greensboro Science Center
36°07′48″N 79°50′03″W / 36.1299°N 79.8341°W / 36.1299; -79.8341
Date openedOctober 15, 1957[1]
LocationGreensboro, North Carolina, United States
Annual visitors434,718 (2017)
MembershipsAZA,[2] AAM[3]
Major exhibitsOmniSphere Theater, Animal Discovery Zoological Park, Wiseman Aquarium, SKYWILD, SciPlay Bay
Websitewww.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, United States. 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 Greensboro Science Center (GSC) 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 434,718 as of 2017.[4]

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] this allows for guests to utilize the AZA's reciprocity program where they can get discounts on their admission at the Greensboro Science Center when they have a membership with a fellow AZA organization.[8]

As part of a $20 million makeover, the GSC opened Time Warner Cable's Extreme Weather Gallery in May 2011, and the HealthQuest exhibit in June 2011, however, the HealthQuest exhibit is currently no longer on view to the public.[9]

On May 2, 2015, the Greensboro Science Center opened its tree top adventure park, Skywild.[10]

On June 4, 2021 the newest expansion to the Greensboro Science Center, Revolution Ridge opened to the public and is the largest addition in the Center's history.[11]

Attractions

Rhinoceros iguana at the Greensboro Science Center

The Animal Discovery Zoological Park is home to animals including red pandas, Sumatran tigers, okapis, pygmy hippos, maned wolves, servals, sand cats, white-nosed coati, meerkats, fossa, black howler monkeys, silvery gibbons, red ruffed lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, cassowaries, Aldabra tortoises, and Nile crocodiles, and is designed to showcase the "Science of Survival." Attractions within the zoo include the Friendly Farm, Kavanagh Discovery House, Revolution Ridge, and Davis Kelly Fountain of Youth and Discovery.[9][12]

The Museum includes Prehistoric Passages: Realm of Dragons, SciPlay Bay, Time Warner Cable's Extreme Weather Gallery, and touch labs that include live snakes, lizards, and invertebrates as well as Komodo dragons.[13]

The OmniSphere Theater is a full dome theater where visitors experience everything from the stars to coral reefs in 2D and 3D.[12]

The Wiseman Aquarium is an aquarium that features animals including stingrays, African penguins, Asian small-clawed otters, fishing cats, sharks, mata matas, moon jellies and several other species of fish.[14]

The Rotary Club of Greensboro Carousel[15] is North Carolina's largest carousel featuring animals that showcase the science center (such as Red Pandas, Octopus, Dinosaurs, etc.) along with state mascots (NC State Wolf, UNC TarHeel). The ride is an additional charge, but is built for all ages and abilities.

Winter Wonderlights [16] is Greensboro newest holiday attraction, that features a walkable holiday themed light display, which has been active since 2020.

Plans for the future

In 2009, Greensboro voters considered a $20 million bond referendum for the Natural Science Center. $10 million was used for the SciQuarium, a 250,000-US-gallon (950,000 L) aquarium with more than 75 species of animals and a stingray touch tank. $10 million is planned for renovations and expansions of existing parts of the GSC.[17] The master plan for this renovation was developed with the help of Cambridge Seven Associates and Moser-Mayer Phoenix & Associates, and phase 1 (the SciQuarium) opened in the summer of 2013. Phase 2 will include updates to the current museum, and phase 3 will include new animals such as pygmy hippos, cassowaries and red pandas in an exhibit called "Endangered Species Village."[18] The final form of which turned into what is referred to today as "Revolution Ridge."

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Regional Science Center Marks 40 Years of Service". Greensboro News and Record. October 15, 1997. p. 13. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  2. ↑ "Currently Accredited Zoos and Aquariums". aza.org. AZA. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  3. ↑ "American Association of Museums". aam-us.org. AAM. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  4. ↑ "Greensboro Science Center Record-Breaking Attendance in 2017". Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau. 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2019-02-28.
  5. ↑ Retrieved 12-31-10 News-record.com
  6. ↑ "Retrieved 12-31-10 NATCSI.org". Archived from the original on 2011-01-17. Retrieved 2010-12-31.
  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. ↑ "AZA Reciprocal Admissions | Free Zoos and Aquarium Admission". www.aza.org. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  9. 1 2 "Natural Science Center of Greensboro". natsci.org. Natural Science Center of Greensboro. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Skywild set to open at Greensboro Science Center". myfox8.com. 2015-04-24. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
  11. ↑ "Greensboro Science Center - Google Search". www.google.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-08-17.
  12. 1 2 "Natural Science Center of Greensboro". eenorthcarolina.org. North Carolina Office of Environmental Education. Retrieved July 2, 2011.
  13. ↑ "Greensboro Science Center". greensboroscience.org. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
  14. ↑ "Carolina Sciquarium". greensboroscience.org. Greensboro Science Center. Archived from the original on 2014-01-06. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
  15. ↑ "First look: Greensboro Rotary Carousel spins at Greensboro Science Center". myfox8.com. 2020-01-15. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  16. ↑ Staff Reports. "Greensboro Science Center will hold a holiday walk-through light display". Greensboro News and Record. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
  17. ↑ Packer, Meghan (November 2, 2009). "Voters Will Decide On Natural Science Center Bond". WFMY. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
  18. ↑ "Science City, USA Master Plan" (PDF). greensboroscience.org. Greensboro Science Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-26. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
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