A new site for science exploration

It’s a busy and exciting time at Explorit Science Center. Soon, the center will greatly expand its educational programs by expanding its space.

Since 2004, Explorit has been pursuing plans to expand the center’s facilities to meet the science education needs of our growing region. In May of this year, Explorit leaders formally announced an exciting new development in their expansion project: plans to purchase the front 9,700-square-foot portion of the Davis Indoor Sports Center at 2801 Second St. in Davis. (A separate group of partners has formed to lease and then purchase the rear rink portion and continue its operation as a public skating facility.)

Exhibit space on the first floor – phase one of the expansion – will open to the public on Sept. 23. A public opening festival is set for Oct. 14 to celebrate the new space.

The five-year old building, designed by Davis architect Robert Lindley, is well suited for public use and available for immediate move-in. The portion Explorit is purchasing offers 35 percent more space than Explorit originally planned in a constructed building and is available for less than the cost of new construction.

“Explorit will have more space, better freeway visibility, property ownership and proximity to family recreation facilities along Peña at Second Street. These factors framed a compelling case for the choice to buy rather than build,” said the center’s executive director, Suzanne Ullensvang.

Much of the work that has already gone into planning Explorit’s exhibits and programs for the constructed building is being directly transferred to this existing space. Creative teams of local scientists, inventors and artists have been collaborating with an Explorit exhibit committee to develop engaging hands-on exhibits to premier at the new site.

For the first time, Explorit will have a gallery dedicated to a special collection of long-term exhibits. Visitors will be able to “Take a Spin With Explorit” to explore the wonders of motion in our lives.

In the other main gallery, Explorit will expand its signature Changing Exhibitions program to attract school groups and families throughout the year. The theme and activities will change every few months, offering visitors a fresh experience with a new science topic each time they return.

Other highlights at the new site will include a “Little Hands” area for pre-schoolers, a ”Closer Look Nook” microscope discovery station and an outdoor interactive art/science installation by local artist Chris Daubert. Some of these features will be ready to premier with the opening of the first floor in September, while others will be phased in over time as Explorit completes outfitting the second floor for public use.

“While this new space at Second Street will become our primary public site, we will continue using the existing Mace Ranch Park facility as the base of our regional outreach programs and for school programs exploring the surrounding Mace Ranch Park,” Ullensvang said.

Explorit Science Center has raised nearly half the money for this expansion project and active campaign fundraising will continue until all the funds needed to complete the purchase have been secured.
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Explorit Science Center is at 3141 Fifth St. in East Davis. The current exhibition “Way to Grow: Health and the Human Body” runs through Sept. 10. Public hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.explorit.org or call Explorit at (530) 756-0191.