Discovery Centre is an interactive science museum

Science museum

A science museum or a science centre is a museum devoted primarily to science. Older science museums tended to concentrate on static displays of objects related to natural history, paleontology, geology, industry and industrial machinery, etc. Modern trends in museology have broadened the range of...

 located in Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina is the capital city of the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. The city is the second-largest in the province and a cultural and commercial centre for southern Saskatchewan. It is governed by Regina City Council. Regina is the cathedral city of the Roman Catholic and Romanian Orthodox...

. It is owned and operated as a not-for-profit charitable organization. Located in a former power plant in the Wascana Centre

Wascana Centre

Wascana Centre is a 9.3 square kilometre park built around Wascana Lake in Regina, Saskatchewan. It brings together lands and buildings owned by the City of Regina, University of Regina, and Province of Saskatchewan, each of which is represented on the board of directors, and contains government,...

, the Saskatchewan Science Centre was officially opened in April of 1989 as the Powerhouse of Discovery. In 1991 an expansion of the Science Centre brought the Kramer IMAX Theatre to the city of Regina.

Mission and Vision

The mission of the Saskatchewan Science Centre is to ignite scientific curiosity and innovation in Saskatchewan communities through interactive, dynamic and engaging opportunities.

Principal Activities and Programming

The Saskatchewan Science Centre presents an experience delivered in a variety of ways:

The Exhibit Floor – With permanent displays, travelling exhibits, high definition theatre and interactive demonstrations, the Powerhouse of Discovery provides a unique opportunity for individuals and families to learn while recreating in a safe, comfortable environment.

Kramer Imax Theatre – The only one of its kind in Saskatchewan, delivers educational and entertaining programming in the giant screen format.

Educational Programming - Educational and entertaining programs are delivered to students and communities all across Saskatchewan and to those who cannot come to the Science Centre through outreach programs to all four corners of the province.

Ancillary Business Activities – the Saskatchewan Science Centre also manages an on-site gift shop for educational science-related and general gift store products, plus manages facility rentals including two boardrooms and the Kramer IMAX Theatre facility.

Permanent Exhibits

The Saskatchewan Science Centre has many permanent exhibits which make up the backbone of the operations of the centre. These exhibits are complemented by travelling and temporary exhibits as well as special programs that the Centre runs from time to time.

Climbing Wall - The Science Centre features a 60 foot climbing wall

Climbing wall

A climbing wall is an artificially constructed wall with grips for hands and feet, usually used for indoor climbing, but sometimes located outdoors as well. Some are brick or wooden constructions, but on most modern walls, the material most often used is a thick multiplex board with holes drilled...

 that is available for bookings, parties, and drop-in climbs.

Critters! - Many animals make their home at the Saskatchewan Science Centre including Barb the bearded dragon, Larry the boa constrictor

Boa constrictor

The Boa constrictor is a large, heavy-bodied species of snake. It is a member of the family Boidae found in North, Central, and South America, as well as some islands in the Caribbean. A staple of private collections and public displays, its color pattern is highly variable yet distinctive...

, and Dorrie and Neko the ferret

Ferret

The ferret is a domesticated mammal of the type Mustela putorius furo. Ferrets are sexually dimorphic predators with males being substantially larger than females. They typically have brown, black, white, or mixed fur...

s. The Science Centre also has fruit bat

Fruit Bat

Fruit Bat can refer to:* Megabats, a species of bat which eats fruit* Les "Fruitbat" Carter, guitarist of Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine* Fruit Bats , an American band...

s, a Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

The Great Horned Owl, , also known as the Tiger Owl, is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.-Description:...

, Salamander

Salamander

Salamander is a common name of approximately 500 species of amphibians. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with their slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. All known fossils and extinct species fall under the order Caudata, while sometimes the extant...

s and more.

Couzin Lester's Roadside Dino Ranch - This introductory attraction features a juvenile sized Ankylosaurus

Ankylosaurus

Ankylosaurus is a genus of ankylosaurid dinosaur, containing one species, A. magniventris...

 and allows children to examine coprolite

Coprolite

A coprolite is fossilized animal dung. Coprolites are classified as trace fossils as opposed to body fossils, as they give evidence for the animal's behaviour rather than morphology. The name is derived from the Greek words κοπρος / kopros meaning 'dung' and λιθος / lithos meaning 'stone'. They...

 and to dig in a simulated dinosaur excavation.

Ukrainian Science Park - This exterior park is free for anyone to use and is located outside of the Science Centre. Featuring a variety of pulley

Pulley

A pulley, also called a sheave or a drum, is a mechanism composed of a wheel on an axle or shaft that may have a groove between two flanges around its circumference. A rope, cable, belt, or chain usually runs over the wheel and inside the groove, if present...

s, tunnel

Tunnel

A tunnel is an underground passageway, completely enclosed except for openings for egress, commonly at each end.A tunnel may be for foot or vehicular road traffic, for rail traffic, or for a canal. Some tunnels are aqueducts to supply water for consumption or for hydroelectric stations or are sewers...

s, and other game-type science experiments for children of all ages to play with and learn from.

WILD! Saskatchewan - This interactive exhibit shares a serious and compelling message about the environment

Natural environment

The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....

 and why people need to do more to protect it.

Space Stadium Canada - This exhibit is the heart of the display floor and explores the contributions that Canada has made to space exploration

Space exploration

Space exploration is the use of space technology to explore outer space. Physical exploration of space is conducted both by human spaceflights and by robotic spacecraft....

. The centre of the display features the gyro

Gyroscope

A gyroscope is a device for measuring or maintaining orientation, based on the principles of angular momentum. In essence, a mechanical gyroscope is a spinning wheel or disk whose axle is free to take any orientation...

 gym, a spinning device similar to one that was developed by NASA

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...

 for astronaut

Astronaut

An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....

 training.

Richardson Ag-Grow-Land - Studying Saskatchewan's contribution to the world of agriculture

Agriculture

Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...

, this exhibit looks at the high-tech agriculture industry in Saskatchewan as well as the practices of modern farming and how food

Food

Food is any substance consumed to provide nutritional support for the body. It is usually of plant or animal origin, and contains essential nutrients, such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, or minerals...

 is grown, harvest

Harvest

Harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper...

ed, processed

Food processing

Food processing is the set of methods and techniques used to transform raw ingredients into food or to transform food into other forms for consumption by humans or animals either in the home or by the food processing industry...

, and delivered

Delivery (commerce)

Delivery is the process of transporting goods. Most goods are delivered through a transportation network. Cargo are primarily delivered via roads and railroads on land, shipping lanes on the sea and airline networks in the air...

.

Science of Hockey - Using science to help understand the sport of hockey

Hockey

Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...

, this exhibit features a mindball game where participants can attempt to move a ball with brainwaves, time how fast they can run, test their strength, and compete against a video goalie and have their shots on the goal evaluated.

There are other permanent displays as well that aim to provide a mix of entertainment and education to visitors.

Affiliations

The museum is affiliated with the Saskatchewan Museums Association and the Canadian Association of Science Centres.

External links

• Saskatchewan Science Centre