California Science Center

The California Science Center's history begins in 1912, when the first State Exhibition Building opened in the historic Exposition Park in Los Angeles and displayed simple, agriculturally based natural resources and industrial products across California. After World War II, as technology-based businesses began to increase, the building was remodeled to show visitors the role of science and technology in daily life, and in 1951, the building was renamed the California Museum of Science and Industry to reflect this intention. In 1988, museum leadership developed a three-phase, 25-year master plan to transform the building into a premier public institution for science and learning, and in 1988, the institution assumed its current name.

Today, with the completion of Phases I and II, the California Science Center provides visitors access to extraordinary films at the IMAX theater, live demonstrations, innovative programming, and interactive exhibits and galleries highlighting life science, physiology, technology, and aerospace. This includes a professional development center for educators and a neighborhood elementary school to improve public understanding of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Phase III will advance an air and space center with a lineup of popular and changing exhibitions that showcase key scientific and engineering principles related to aerospace, atmospheric flight, and the exploration of the universe.