What Is
Discovery
Science Center? | Discovery Science Center (DSC), a 59,000-square-foot learning facility designed to spark children's natural curiosity, is Orange County's largest nonprofit educational resource. Since opening in December 1998, it has been dedicated to educating young minds, assisting teachers and increasing public understanding and appreciation of science, math and technology through interactive exhibits and programs. It is a community-wide resource where families come together to learn and have fun. The County's residents and school districts are served by this educational resource. Discovery Science Center now receives over 450,000 guests each year.
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Where is DSC? | Discovery Science Center, a non-profit organization, is located on the west side of Main Street at the Santa Ana freeway in the former Barker Bros. building. Those traveling on the freeway will not be able to miss DSC's unique architectural feature: The Cube, a 10-story-high, 108-foot giant Cube sitting on one of its points.
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What Can I
Do At DSC?
| Within DSC there are approximately 120 interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to search for answers, think and explore. The center is divided into several themed areas where guests will explore Perception, Dynamic Earth, Quake Zone, Techno Arts, Air & Space, Discovery Stadium and KidStation (an area for 5-year-olds and under). |
Are There
Educational
Programs?
| Yes. Discovery Science Center's many education programs align with California Science Content Standards and are intended to help K-12 students perform better in school and on State science tests required in the 5th and 7th grades. For school groups, we offer a wide range of Science-to-Go and assembly programs (where we come to your school) as well as fieldtrip programs (where your school visits us).
The Center's Digital Lab computer center offers classes where students and adults can learn Word Processing, Digital Photography, Web Design and more. Discovery Science Center is also the education content provider for the Municipal Water District of Orange County and the Tiger Woods Learning Center.
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When Is DSC
Open?
| Discovery Science Center is open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
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How Did
DSC Begin?
| The idea of Discovery Science Center began in the early 1980s when the boards of the Exploratory Learning Center and the Experience Center joined and formed the Discovery Museum of Orange County (DMOC). Their goal was to teach kids in a highly interactive manner what life was like in Orange County at the turn of the century. 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 completed, the Board turned to achieving their second goal: building a hands-on science center. There are more than 200 science centers in the United States, but Orange County was one of the few major metropolitan areas without a science center. In 1987, a funding feasibility study was conducted with positive results. A non-profit preview facility of DSC, Launch Pad, opened in June of 1993, in the Crystal Court mall at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa. That facility closed in January 2000, and the remaining exhibits were moved to Discovery Science Center for future use.
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Does DSC
Have Facilities For
Private Parties? | Facility rental of Discovery Science Center is available for private corporate parties, company family days, high school proms and special events. With the fun hands-on exhibits and live demonstrations, Discovery Science Center is a unique party environment. The building can accommodate anywhere from 150 people seated banquet style to 1000 reception style. For more information on Discovery Science Center's Facility Rental Program, call 714-913-5038.
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How Much Does
DSC Cost?
| Regular admission is $12.95 for adults, and $9.95 for youths (ages 3-17). Discovery Science Center Members and children two and under are admitted free. |
How Do I Find
More Information? | (714) 542-CUBE
www.discoverycube.org |