Science Central Mission Mission Science Central creates an entertaining, informative, interactive and family-oriented environment for children and adults where the inspiration to learn how to do science, math and technology emerges from "hands-on" participation. Science Central achieves its mission by pursuing these goals: To motivate people, especially children, to learn how to think scientifically and to consider careers in scientific, mathematical and technological fields To be an educational resource to students, families, educators and schools To present an integrated approach to math, science and technology To develop learning environments where children and adults can improve their knowledge about scientific, mathematical and technological concepts by interaction with a participatory exhibit program and To become an important educational and recreation attraction for residents of Indiana, as well as for tourists and other visitors to the area. Exhibit and Program Philosophy The foundation for all exhibits and programs at Science Central rests with the idea that science is about questions and curiosity. Everyone is a scientist who has questions about the world around them. At Science Central, visitors are engaged in learning how scientists investigate their own questions! Facility, Audience, Location and other fun facts! A $9.2 million renovation of 32,000 square feet of the 65,000-square-foot of the former City Light and Power plant has made the facility and its educational offerings accessible to everyone! At opening, the building encompassed 25,000 square feet of exhilarating discovery space filled with exhibits and programs. The remaining 7,000 square feet incorporate the volunteer area, the lobby, the LaboraSTOREy, public circulation spaces, a snack area, an exhibit workshop, general offices, flexible-use laboratories, building services facilities and the ERC. The facility is located just north of the downtown Fort Wayne area, adjacent to the city's Lawton Park, the park's acclaimed "Kid's Crossing" playground and Headwaters Park, a 3-acre, $9 million public/private initiative that opened in September 1995. Also, Science Central is about one mile due north of the new, $6-million Lincoln Museum, which opened in October 1995. Science Central's audience is people of all ages who visit the center and it will continue to provide outreach programs to more than 10,000 students and teachers annually in schools throughout Indiana and the tri-state area. In a short five years, Science Central has grown to be the second most visited attraction in a city known for it's richly varied cultural and educational sites!