Located in Lancaster, PA, the Lancaster Science Factory promotes the education and exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The Lancaster Science Factory has more than 60 interactive exhibits displayed across their facility.
Lancaster Science Factory History
After a trip to Florida, advertising executive James Bunting returned to Lancaster with the idea of creating the Science Factory. The Science Factory would promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and engaging way that would get kids genuinely interested and intrigued. Throughout the next several years, Bunting planned the facility and raised approximately $1 million in funds.
On January 22, 2008, the Lancaster Science Factory opened with mostly volunteers as employees. Today, the Lancaster Science Factory has a small staff, but still uses volunteers to welcome and guide guests along their exploration of the Lancaster Science Factory.
Lancaster Science Factory Attractions
The exhibits are all designed to align to the Pennsylvania Academic Standards in Science and Technology in the Commonwealth of PA. Not only are kids having fun at the Science Factory, they are immersed in science education.
Permanent attractions are divided in the following categories:
Light and Vision explores the way that humans explore the way that light is perceived. Some of the exhibits include:
· Benham’s Disk
· Color Changeup
· Color Filter
· Color Illusion Disks
· Colored Shadows
· Duck-Under Kaleidoscope
· Lens, Mirrors & Filters
· Scope on a Rope
· Visual Illusions
Electricity and Magnetism explores the fundamentals of electricity and magnetism, and why scientists often group the two together. The six exhibits within this section are:
· Crank Power
· Electrical Circuits
· Magnetic Field Visualization
· Conductors and Insulator
· Light It Up
· Magnetic Sculpture
Mechanics and Motion showcases the fundamentals of the laws of motion and what force really is. There are almost twenty exhibits within this category.
Structural Engineering features the foundations of engineering. The four exhibits within this category are: Ceiling Beam, Truss Bridge, Catenary Arch, and Earthquake.
Acoustics allow visitors to experiment with transmission and sounds. The three exhibits within this category are Bongophone, Whisper Dishes, and Drumbone.
Fluid Dynamics feature fluids, such as gases and liquids. There are almost ten exhibits within this section, such as Air Play, Minimal Surfaces, and Water Tornado.
Puzzles and Brain Teasers show how mathematics can be fun. There are sixteen exhibits in this section, which include Army Ants, Horse & Cowboy, and Shut the Box.
Educational Opportunities
The Lancaster Science Factory offers a variety of educational programs for people of all ages. Some of their educational programs include; Homeschool Programs, Girls Code Club, Cub Scout and Girl Scout Programs, and Night Shift.
One of the most popular educational opportunities at the Lancaster Science Factory is the Girls Code Club. The Girls Code Club is a monthly club designed for girls to become interested and engaged in various computer science fundamentals and how to code. During the Club, participants will choose to design and develop either a website, computer program, or video game.
Another popular educational program at the Science Factory is the Night Shift program. The Night Shift is an overnight program in which participants show up to the Science Factory on either Friday or Saturday around 5:30 pm. Throughout the rest of the night, participants engage in a variety of interactive activities, explore the Science Factory’s exhibits, and hanging out with other campers. Then, participants sleep in the Science Factory in their sleeping bags. The next morning, participants will enjoy a complimentary breakfast and reflect on their experience at the Science Factory.
Special Events
The Lancaster Science Factory hosts a variety of public and private special events throughout the year such as science trivia nights, make it yourself workshops, “science is amazing” festivals, and P.A.S.T.E.--a special program for young learners.
For an updated list of public special events the Science Factory hosts throughout the year, check the Factory’s Events Calendar, which is located on their official website.
As for private special events, people can host birthday parties, team building events, parent teacher organization fundraisers, and other special events. The most popular event hosted at the Lancaster Science Factory is birthday parties. The three birthday party packages people can choose from are the:
· Basic Package which provides guests with an exclusive party room for 90 minutes, admission into the Science Factory, and a special t-shirt for the birthday guest.
· Experiment Package features everything in the Basic Package, plus an interactive and exclusive activity, as well as a specialized party host.
· Experiment Plus Package features everything in the Experiment Package, as well as a variety of amenities, such as candles, ice cream cakes, drinks, and utensils.
Back to: Activities in Lancaster
454 New Holland Ave, Lancaster, PA 17602, website, Phone: 717-509-6363, Map
