Background

Discovery Science Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating young minds, assisting teachers and increasing public understanding and appreciation of science, math and technology through interactive exhibits and programs. Taco Bell Corp. has provided major funding to Discovery Science Center. Individuals, foundations, corporations, and the local, state and federal government have also made contributions.

Discovery Science Center's Past

The idea of Discovery Science Center began in 1984 when the boards of the Exploratory Learning Center and the Experience Center joined and formed the Discovery Museum of Orange County (DMOC). Simply stated, their goals were to teach kids what life was like at the turn of the century in Orange County in an interactive manner AND to build a world class hands-on science center. They first developed the DMOC site, which now has two historic homes, a carriage barn, rose garden, riparian habitat and much more. Once this project was up and running smoothly, the Board turned to achieving their second goal, building a hands-on science center.

In 1989, a funding feasibility study was conducted to learn if the county leaders would fund such a project. They indicated strongly that they would. "And further," they said, "we're a county of almost 3 million people, we should have such a facility for our children." There are more than 200 science centers in the U.S. In 1993, "Launch Pad," a preview science center opened to the public in the Crystal Court at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. Taco Bell Discovery Science Center opened to the public in December 1998.

Discovery Science Center's Present

Discovery Science Center is celebrating "A Decade of Discovery" as the Cube turns ten! The center has 59,000 square feet of exhibit space packed with science interactives designed to spark children's natural curiosity.  In addition to the physical science complex, Discovery Science Center sees more than 150,000 school children in their classrooms each year. Now the largest provider of water education in Orange County, Discovery Science Center ranks in the top ten for education outreach among science centers across the nation.

The Science of Hockey is the center's newest permanent exhibition. A first-of-its-kind experience, this interactive look at the science of sport is presented by the Anaheim Ducks, the National Hockey League and USA Hockey. Discovery Science Center is located on the west side of Main Street at the Santa Ana freeway. Those traveling on the freeway will not be able to miss Discovery Science Center's unique architectural feature - The Cube - a 10-story-high, 108-foot giant cube sitting on one of its points.

Discovery Science Center's Future

Discovery Science Center is continuously researching new & innovative ideas for future expansion of our educational programs and exhibit areas.

Our future is bright! The Science Center opened Dino Quest, the world's first interactive dinosaur adventure, to record crowds in 2006! The Science of Hockey brought a new experience to the center in 2009. During the next five years, the Science Center will continue to expand our exhibit area and continue to grow our programs to help educate and inspire Orange County and surrounding areas.