Space Foundation Discovery Center Debuts

After seven months of fine-tuning and more than 6,000 student experiences delivered, the education and museum facilities at Space Foundation World Headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., are set to open to the public full-time this month. The Space Foundation Discovery Center will be launched with a 10-week "Summer of Discovery" program, reflecting the Space Foundation's commitment to formal and informal education with the expansion of facilities and the addition of new exhibits.

The Space Foundation Discovery Center, located off Garden of the Gods Road at 4425 Arrowswest Drive, will be the region's first and only space, science, and technology attraction, and will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

The Discovery Center, which houses the Northrop Grumman Science Center and the El Pomar Space Gallery, is the site of Science On a Sphere® and Sphere-based education courses, educator professional development courses, public space artifact displays and space awareness presentations, including the popular Audience with an Astronaut.

The El Pomar Space Gallery is being expanded to include new exhibits and artifacts, such as the Scott Carpenter Station, designed by NASA and used for seafloor research.

"This facility, which first opened to the public last October, has proven to be an even richer formal and informal education environment than we ever anticipated," said Vice President - of Education and Discovery Iain Probert. "We are already bringing thousands of students through our existing courses, and we have plans for many, many more. Plus, we will be launching summertime activities to get the entire community involved."

Future plans include a state-of-the-art interactive teaching auditorium for both onsite and distance learning, building a Space Technology Hall of Fame® exhibit, and opening new teaching laboratories, including a Mars yard and mission simulation lab. See more about visiting the Discovery Center here.

"Summer of Discovery" Themes. June 4 - Aug. 10

The public is invited to visit the Space Foundation Discovery Center this summer to learn about the wonders of space and how space technology enhances our life on Earth. Each week will focus on a specific theme, culminating with a full day of special activities and events planned for each Saturday.

The "Summer of Discovery" Saturday events will feature space activities and presentations for all ages, included in the regular price of admission. Click here to see details and to download a $1 off admission coupon.

Themes will change each week, with special educational activities for all ages held from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., every Saturday, June 8 - Aug. 10. Themes include:

• "Oceans of the Universe" June 4-8
• "Mars, Rovers and Robots" June 11-15
• "Astronauts!" June 18-22
• "Blue Planet - Green Living" June 25-29
• "Red, White and Blue" July 2-6
• "Weather Wonders" July 9-13
• "One Giant Leap" July 16-20
• "Women in Spaceflight" July 23-27
• "Colorado Days" July 30-Aug. 3
• "A Taste of Space Technology" Aug. 6-10

Daily admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 65+), $7 for college students with I.D., $3 for children ages 4 - 17. Admission is free with military I.D., to children age three years and younger and to holders of the Colorado Springs Together Card.

Watch for $1 off admission coupons at Wendy's this summer. Wendy's and ScienSonic Laboratories are "Summer of Discovery" co-sponsors, and ATK and Snappy Print are printing co-sponsors.

This article is part of Space Watch: June 2013 (Volume: 12, Issue: 6).