The Lancaster Science Factory

Night Owls is back October 9!

Tickets to live owl presentations are $3 and available at the link below! These tickets are separate from standard admission, and both standard admission (timed entry tickets, membership, or another free access program) and owl presentation tickets are required to attend live owl presentations.

There will be owl pellet dissections in Castanga and specimen samples at the Science Cafe, both free with regular admission.

https://lancastersciencefactory.org/event/night-owls/

Some epic Keva builds recently, a train and a skyscraper. Put your architecture skills to the test at Lancaster Science Factory!

Our staff and volunteers hard at work last week during our annual cleaning week! We gave the Water Lab a good scrub, climbed and cleaned every panel of the Sky Bridge, and disinfected every single K'nex in our building, along with much, much more! This week we were able to welcome visitors into a freshly cleaned Science Factory!

Slime Lab Series: Ghostly Goo!!

Join us on October 10 at 11:00 and 1:00 to learn about polymer chains, chemical reactions, and how just a few ingredients come together to create this stretchy favorite! Participants also get to make (and take home) their very own slime!

https://lancastersciencefactory.org/event/16633-3/

Our first day off camps of back to school season! Register today!!

LANCASTER SCIENCE FACTORY RECEIVES $300,000 GRANT FROM DART FOUNDATION FOR TWO NEW EXHIBIT AREAS

LANCASTER, PA – The Lancaster Science Factory is pleased to announce it has received a $300,000 grant from the Dart Foundation. These funds will support two new interactive exhibit areas at the Science Factory. The first exhibit area, the Wonder Zone, engages visitors in exploration of light, color, sound, forces and motion, and engineering challenges. The Wonder Zone is specifically designed to be developmentally appropriate and accessible for kids aged 3-5 but is sure to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. The other exhibit area, How People Make Things, brings manufacturing to life, showing how everyday objects are made, and highlighting the people who make them and their careers. This is the single largest one-time gift in the Science Factory’s history.

“At the Science Factory, we believe that every visit should give children and families a new reason to wonder, explore, and be curious.” says Executive Director, Karen Knecht. “ The Dart Foundation makes that possible. Their generous support allows us to refresh and expand our exhibits, inviting visitors to experience STEM firsthand and see themselves as scientists and engineers. We are incredibly grateful to the Dart Foundation for investing in the Wonder Zone and How People Make Things, and in the Lancaster community.”

Construction on the Wonder Zone area is now underway in anticipation of a grand opening to the public the weekend of November 14th and 15th. The Wonder Zone will feature exhibits like Colorful Shadows, the Everbright, Shape Projector, Ramps and Magneticars, Reach Sound exhibit, Pin wall, Clinky Rods, Engineering Wall, and more to explore! The exhibits will also feature early literacy prompts and tips for caregivers to engage their early learners in STEM.

Development of the hands-on manufacturing exhibit area is still under way, and the Science Factory anticipates installation in early 2027. This is a partnership with the Children’s of Museum of Pittsburgh to adapt their travelling exhibit, How People Make Things, for permanent installation at the Science Factory. The exhibit teaches students about introductory principles of manufacturing through the concepts of cut, mold, deform, and assemble.

"The Dart Foundation has a long history of supporting hands-on STEM education in our giving communities across the country," says Emily Matthews, Executive Director of the Dart Foundation. "We are proud of the Lancaster Science Factory for being responsive to community needs, and the Dart Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to support these two new exhibits that will be impactful for generations to come."

These projects are part of a larger, multi-year exhibits refurbishment of the Science Factory, where 40% of all exhibits were installed upon first opening their doors in 2008. To date $570,000 has been raised toward an estimated project budget of $750,000. Future improvements will feature updates to their Bubble Zone, Water Lab, and multiple other exhibits and exhibit areas.

About the Lancaster Science Factory The Lancaster Science Factory is a non-profit science center located at 454 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, PA. The mission of the Lancaster Science Factory is to inspire curiosity, creativity, and confidence by fostering an inclusive environment for hands-on STEM exploration. We actively seek to make our facility and educational programs accessible to all.

About the Dart Foundation The Dart Foundation is a private family foundation established by Dart Container Corporation founder William A. Dart and his wife Claire T. Dart. The Foundation supports organizations and projects that improve the quality of life in the communities we serve and has contributed more than $100 million to causes that make a positive impact.

Media Contact:
Rob Reed
717-509-6363 ext 106
[email protected]

Experience the Lancaster Science Factory in a whole new way when you stay overnight! Explore over 75 hands-on exhibits, enjoy a pre-lights-out snack, unroll your sleeping bag in the exhibit hall, and have a light breakfast before you leave in the morning. New to this year, educators will be leading hands-on STEM workshops in our Maker Space!

A portion of the museum is temporarily closed for facility improvements and maintenance. We appreciate your patience as we work to make the Science Factory even better!

New Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm

We are excited to welcome you back to a sparkling clean museum!