The Science Museum of Virginia

The Science Museum of Virginia, located in Richmond, Virginia, is a dynamic institution dedicated to inspiring curiosity and fostering a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) among visitors of all ages. Housed in the historic Broad Street Station, a 1917 neoclassical train station, the museum offers a unique blend of history and modern science education.

Exhibitions and Attractions

The museum boasts a diverse array of permanent and traveling exhibitions that engage visitors in hands-on learning experiences.

Notable permanent exhibitions include:

• Ultimate Dinosaurs: An immersive paleontological experience showcasing prehistoric creatures from around the world.
• Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO® Bricks: A hands-on exhibition combining STEM, architecture, and design, featuring impressive structures built from LEGO® bricks.
• Speed: An exploration of motion and time, demonstrating the fastest and slowest phenomena in the universe.

The museum also regularly hosts touring exhibitions from around the globe, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience for repeat visitors.

The Dome Theater

At the heart of the museum is The Dome, Virginia's largest screen at 76 feet in diameter. This state-of-the-art digital planetarium offers immersive shows that transport audiences through space and time.

Current shows include "Wings Over Water," "Live Universe Exploration," "Dinosaurs of Antarctica," "Messengers of Time and Space," and "Secrets of the Sea."

Interactive Experiences

The museum features interactive labs and makerspaces designed to inspire creativity and innovation:

• The Forge: A permanent makerspace where visitors can participate in hands-on workshops and explore a showroom filled with creative projects.
• Live Science Programs: Engaging demonstrations led by museum educators, such as "Rat Basketball," "Science on a Sphere," and "Supercool: Liquid Nitrogen Demo," which make complex scientific concepts accessible and entertaining.

Recent Additions

The museum continually enhances its offerings to captivate visitors:

• Cosmic Perception: A giant kaleidoscope sculpture designed by the public art studio Re:site, located in "The Green," a new park area that replaced a former parking lot.
• Quetzalcoatlus Sculpture: A 750-pound sculpture of the largest known flying animal from the age of dinosaurs, suspended from the museum's ceiling, adding a dramatic visual element to the exhibits.

Visitor Information

The Science Museum of Virginia is located at 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220. Operating hours are Saturday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Locations

• Richmond, VA, USA (main location)
• Danville Science Center, Danville, Virginia: This center features rotating exhibits and permanent installations, including a Science On a Sphere exhibit. It focuses on themes such as biology, gravity, friction, force, light, and magnetism.

Whether you're a lifelong science enthusiast or a curious newcomer, the Science Museum of Virginia offers a wealth of interactive and educational experiences that make learning about science both fun and memorable.