Editing Carnegie Science Center

{{Short description|Science museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox museum
 |name  = The Carnegie Science Center
 |image = Carnegie Science Center.jpg
 |caption =
 |map_type = Pittsburgh
 |map_caption = Location of The Carnegie Science Center in Pennsylvania
 |coordinates = {{coord|40.445614|-80.018181|display=inline}}
 |established = October 5, 1991
 |dissolved =
 |location = One Allegheny Ave.<br />[[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]
 |type = [[Science museum]], <br />[[Technology museum]]
 |visitors = 476,000<ref name="WESA">{{Cite web |title= Pittsburgh Science Center announces name change after $65 million gift |url= https://www.wesa.fm/arts-sports-culture/2024-01-24/carnegie-science-center-name-change-gift/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=WESA-FM|date= 24 January 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>
 |director = Jason Brown
 |curator =
 |publictransit =
 | parking             = On site (paid) and street
 |website              = {{URL|carnegiesciencecenter.org}}
}}
'''The Carnegie Science Center''', soon to be '''The Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center''',<ref>{{cite web |title=Carnegie Science Center changing name after receiving $65M gift |url=https://triblive.com/aande/museums/carnegie-science-center-renamed-daniel-g-kamin-and-carole-l-kamin-science-center/ |website=TribLIVE |access-date=January 17, 2024}}</ref>{{update inline|date=February 2025}}  is one of the four [[Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh|Carnegie Museums]] of [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]]. It is located in the [[Chateau (Pittsburgh)|Chateau]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/cp/maps/chateau.html |title=Chateau Map |access-date=2010-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726114703/http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/cp/maps/chateau.html |archive-date=2010-07-26 }}</ref> neighborhood. It is located across the street from [[Acrisure Stadium]].

==Overview==
The Carnegie Science Center is the most visited museum in Pittsburgh, and is located along the Ohio River on the North Shore. It has four floors of interactive exhibits totaling over 400 exhibits, and attracts nearly 500,000 visitors each year.<ref name="WESA">{{Cite web |title= Pittsburgh Science Center announces name change after $65 million gift |url= https://www.wesa.fm/arts-sports-culture/2024-01-24/carnegie-science-center-name-change-gift/ |access-date=2024-01-31 |website=WESA-FM|date= 24 January 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="bg-info">{{Cite web |title=Background Information |url=https://carnegiesciencecenter.org/press/press-background-information/ |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=Carnegie Science Center |language=en-US}}</ref> Among its attractions are the Buhl Planetarium (which features the latest in digital projection technology), the Rangos Giant Theater (promoted as "the biggest screen in Pittsburgh"), a physical home for some of [[Carnegie Mellon University]]’s [[Robot Hall of Fame]] (in the lobby of the Rangos Giant Cinema),<ref name="floor-map" /> [[Highmark SportsWorks|SportsWorks]], the [[Miniature Railroad & Village]], and the [[USS Requin (SS-481)|USS ''Requin'']] (a [[World War II]] [[submarine]]).

==Updates==
According to Nicholas Efran, "The Carnegie Science Center has been a gathering place for kids and families for many years." However, currently there are many new exhibits that staff are "Not able to include because of the smaller size of the building"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org|title=Carnegie Science Center: Home|website=www.carnegiesciencecenter.org|language=en|access-date=2017-12-14}}</ref> In June 2018, the museum's new wing opened, allowing the museum to host new and larger exhibits.

In August 2021, the [[Pittsburgh]] Zoning Board of Adjustment extended the center's use of its 450-space parking lot until 2026, at which point it will need to significantly reduce the space number to 75 spaces to conform to [[Zoning|zoning regulations]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carnegie Science Center can keep 450-space parking lot until April 2026, zoning board rules|url=https://www.post-gazette.com/business/development/2021/08/31/Carnegie-Science-Center-parking-lot-north-450-space-April-2026-Allegheny-Station-Heinz-Field-North-Shore/stories/202108310063|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|language=en}}</ref>

In October 2021, the center received funding from the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)]]'s Communities for Immunity initiative because of its support of vaccine confidence in the Pittsburgh community. It used the $10,000 award to contribute to its [[COVID-19]] vaccination awareness programs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Carnegie Science Center receives funds to support vaccine confidence|url=https://observer-reporter.com/living/entertainment/carnegie-science-center-receives-funds-to-support-vaccine-confidence/article_8c830954-35b5-11ec-bf95-ef60803d8492.html|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Observer-Reporter|date=27 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2022, [[#Roboworld_(Until_2022)|§&nbsp;Roboworld]] closed. Some of the inductees to the [[Robot Hall of Fame]], such as [[C-3PO]] and [[R2-D2]] from ''[[Star Wars]]'', [[Maschinenmensch|Maria]] from ''[[Metropolis (1927 film)|Metropolis]]'', as well as [[HAL 9000]] from ''[[2001: A Space Odyssey]]'', were moved to the Rangos Giant Cinema. The big, free-throw-shooting basketball robot was moved to the [[#Highmark SportsWorks|§&nbsp;SportsWorks]] facility. [[Android (robot)|Andy Roid]], the singing Robothespian that greets visitors, was moved to the Science Center’s main lobby. All other robots from the exhibit went into storage "until the Science Center decides what to do with it".<ref name="floor-map">{{Cite web |title=Floor Map - Carnegie Science Center |url=https://carnegiesciencecenter.org/visit/floor-map/ |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=Carnegie Science Center |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name="roboworld-farewell">{{Cite web |title=roboworld® bids farewell |url=https://www.wesa.fm/arts-sports-culture/2022-06-13/goodbye-robots-science-centers-long-running-roboworld-exhibit-bids-farewell-to-pittsburgh |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=WESA |date=13 June 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
Its predecessor was the [[Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science Building|Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science]], which opened on October 24, 1939. The Buhl Planetarium was the fifth major [[planetarium]] in the [[United States]], and was popular for several decades.  However, by the 1980s it had begun to show signs of age. An expansion was ruled out, so the institute was relocated to the Chateau neighborhood. However, it became apparent to the Buhl Institute that the relocation efforts would require more staffing than they were able to provide. At this point, the [[Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh|Carnegie Institute]] (under the leadership of [[Robert Wilburn]]) stepped in, showing interest in merging with the Buhl Institute. Both parties agreed to the merger in 1987. On October 5, 1989, construction began on the $40 million building, designed by local architect [[Tasso Katselas]], which was renamed the Carnegie Science Center as a result of the merger.<ref>{{cite book |author=[[Roy Lubove]] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r3HxNErlwt4C&q=%22carnegie+science+center%22+1989+%24+million&pg=PA188 |title=Twentieth-century Pittsburgh: The post-steel era |date=August 1995 |isbn=9780822971672 |page=188 | publisher=University of Pittsburgh Pre |access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref> The Henry Buhl Jr. Planetarium and Observatory was reinvented in this new facility. The Center opened in October 1991.<ref name="History">{{cite web|url=http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/about/about-our-history/ |title=Our History |publisher=Carnegie Science Center |access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref> On January 23, 2024, the Carnegie Science Center announced that they received a 65 million dollar donation from Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin. In honor of the donation they announced plans to rename the center to The Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center<ref>{{cite web | url=https://triblive.com/aande/museums/carnegie-science-center-renamed-daniel-g-kamin-and-carole-l-kamin-science-center/ | title=Carnegie Science Center changing name after receiving $65M gift | date=23 January 2024 }}</ref>

==Roboworld (until 2022)==
[[File:Roboworld at Carnegie Science Center.JPG|thumb|Roboworld formerly at the Carnegie Science Center]]
The Roboworld area was the second-floor attraction at the Carnegie Science Center until June 19, 2022.<ref name="roboworld-farewell" /> It was touted as "the world's largest permanent robotics exhibition", with more than 30 interactive displays featuring "all things robotic".<ref>{{Cite web |title=roboworld® |url=https://carnegiesciencecenter.org/exhibits/roboworld/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Carnegie Science Center |language=en-US}}</ref>

Until it closed, the first [[robot]] encounter in Roboworld was [[Android (robot)|Andy Roid]], the Robothespian, an [[Interactivity|interactive]], [[animatronic]] robot that introduced visitors to the concepts of robotic sensing, processing and acting. The area's other exhibits showcased different types of robots and videos about them.

Roboworld was also home to famous robots such as R2D2, Hal9000, C-3PO, and Gort.<ref>{{Cite web |title=RoboWorld, Pittsburgh |url=https://www.engineeredarts.co.uk/installations/roboworld-pittsburgh/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Engineered Arts |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The [[Robot Hall of Fame]] featured famous robots from [[science fiction]] films, television, and video games, such as [[R2-D2]], [[C-3PO]], [[Data (Star Trek)|Data]], [[Terminator (character)|the T-800 Terminator]], [[R.O.B.]], [[Maschinenmensch]], [[Gort (The Day the Earth Stood Still)|Gort]], [[Robby the Robot]], [[Robot B-9]], [[HAL 9000]], and Huey, Dewey, and Louie from ''[[Silent Running]]''.

==Highmark SportsWorks==
'''Highmark SportsWorks''' (formerly '''UPMC SportsWorks''') is one of the major, permanent exhibits of the Carnegie Science Center.  It is one of larger science and sports exhibitions in the world, with over 30 interactive experiences in which visitors can participate.<ref name="sportsworks-ref">{{Cite web |title=Highmark SportsWorks® |url=https://carnegiesciencecenter.org/exhibits/highmark-sportsworks/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Carnegie Science Center |language=en-US}}</ref> The main idea of SportsWorks is "to inspire learning and curiosity by uniting the experience of sports for every age level with the laws of science that controls sports."<ref name="sportsworks-ref" /> SportsWorks features three themed areas:  Physics of Sports (exploring the science of balance, trajectory, center of gravity, momentum, etc.), LifeWorks (featuring information for keeping a healthy lifestyle), and Sports Challenge (demonstrating various physical activities present in many sports).

The previous sponsor, [[University of Pittsburgh Medical Center|UPMC]], ended its sponsorship of SportsWorks in 2006. On November 13, 2008, the Carnegie Science Center unveiled plans for a new {{convert|12000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} SportsWorks, sponsored by [[Highmark]].  It reopened in the Fall of 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/default.aspx?pageId=39 |title=Carnegie Science Center |website=Carnegiesciencecenter.org |access-date=2016-07-16 |archive-date=2018-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801181736/http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/default.aspx?pageId=39 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

From October 8, 2007, until May 2008, SportsWorks housed the controversial exhibit [[BODIES... The Exhibition]].  At least one employee of the Carnegie Science Center left her job due to the implementation of this exhibit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07175/796418-109.stm |title=Sunday Forum: Exhibition of exploitation &#124; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |website=Post-gazette.com |date=2007-06-22 |access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref>

A committee from [[Pittsburgh Regional Transit]], then known as Port Authority, recommended in 2007 that the site be purchased and that SportsWorks be demolished to allow for construction of tracks for the [[North Shore Connector]], an extension of Pittsburgh's light rail line to the North Side of Pittsburgh.<ref>{{cite web |last=Silver |first=Jonathan D. |url=http://www.postgazette.com/pg/07264/819450-100.stm |title=Port Authority plans to buy, demolish SportsWorks &#124; Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |website=Postgazette.com |date=2007-09-21 |access-date=2016-07-16 |archive-date=2012-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120212225707/http://www.postgazette.com/pg/07264/819450-100.stm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==E-motion cone==
The ''E-motion cone'' is a white-colored, inverted cone which sits atop the Science Center building. It is referred to as the Weather Cone and was designed by New York architect Shashi Caan and lighting designer Matthew Tanteri. It was installed in 2000 with a computerized lighting system.<ref>{{Cite web |title=E-Motion Cone |url=https://carnegiesciencecenter.org/about/about-emotion/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=Carnegie Science Center |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2008 a storm damaged the cone, thus it underwent upgrades to its lighting system with an addition of energy-efficient bulbs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome |url=https://www.tribliveoffers.com/ |access-date=2022-03-25 |website=www.tribliveoffers.com}}</ref> At night, it is lit with different colors, [[weather beacon|signalling]] the weather forecast from [[WTAE-TV]] for the coming day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.carnegiesciencecenter.org/about/about-emotion/ |title=E-Motion Cone |publisher=Carnegie Science Center |access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pittsburghartplaces.org/accounts/view/272 |title=Pittsburgh Art Places |publisher=Pittsburgh Art Places |access-date=2016-07-16}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" 
|+ Temperature
| {{legend2|red}} Red  ||      Warmer
|-
| {{legend2|green}} Green ||     No change
|-
| {{legend2|blue}} Blue   ||    Cooler
|}

{| class="wikitable" 
|+ Other
|-
| {{bg|black|&nbsp;}} {{bg|black|&nbsp;}} <flashing>  ||   Precipitation
|-
| {{legend2|yellow}} Yellow     ||   Severe weather
|}

==See also==
{{Commons category|Carnegie Science Center}}
* [[Miniature Railroad & Village]]
* [[Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh]]
* [[List of museums in Pennsylvania]]
* [[Seddon Bennington]] - director of the museum from 1994 until 2002
* [[List of science centers]]

==External links==
{{Official website|carnegiesciencecenter.org}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Pittsburgh}}
{{Museums in Pennsylvania}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Museums in Pittsburgh]]
[[Category:Museums established in 1991]]
[[Category:Science museums in Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Institutions accredited by the American Alliance of Museums]]
[[Category:Association of Science-Technology Centers member institutions]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Pennsylvania]]