Full 'STREAM' ahead: Da Vinci Science Center celebrates grand opening set for Wednesday

ALLENTOWN, Pa. — As bright-colored confetti flew in the air, staff from the Da Vinci Science Center cheered as they cut the ribbon before officially opening the doors to the brand new facility.

Moments later, a crowd of about 100 people rushed inside to see what's inside before the center opens its doors to the public on Wednesday.

Dinosaurs, cute otters

The new science center, located at 815 W. Hamilton St., is nearly twice the size of its former location, and will house the new “Dinos Alive” exhibition, along with an area, dubbed the Lehigh Watershed, where visitors can meet four North American river otters.

Starting in mid-June, students, kindergarten through eight-grade, can attend a summer camp, where they can learn about the interactive rooms filled with several touch screens and spaces to design aircraft and other creative endeavors.

On Tuesday, officials said the facility is expected to attract 400,000 visitors per year.

Excitement for STREAM

At the grand opening bash, attendees were treated to entertainment by students from the Dieruff High School Band and Freedom High School Fife and Drum Corps.

As a pair of bird mascots posed for selfies, they took turns dancing with members of the Interlace Cultural y Desarrollo Integral Mexicano Dance Troupe, who wowed the crowd with their traditional folk ballet moves.

Later in the ceremony, elected officials touched on the importance of the facility to youth in the region — specifically in Allentown, the third-largest city in the state.

Allentown Schools Superintendent Carol Birks beamed as she spoke about the new ASD STREAM Academy, a new school located inside the science center.

STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art and Mathematics.

Beginning in the fall, Central Elementary School students in kindergarten through second grade will spend one full school day each week at Da Vinci. Students in third through fifth grades will have regular visits in addition to hands-on STREAM experiences at Central Elementary at 829 W. Turner St.

“Just think being in high school, you're in 14-years-old and you get to have these types of experiences and strength that set the stage for your future life,” Birks said.

“Not just here now, but for the future. Yes. Just think about that. There are not many communities that can say that they're offering their students these types of opportunities.”

'Downtown was vacant'

Plans to build the $80 million facility were announced in 2019.

Elected officials including state Sen. Nick Miller, Rep. Mike Schlossberg, Rep. Peter Schweyer and Rep. Josh Siegel, remarked that the new three-story facility will help to revitalize the city's business district.

“When we talked about downtown Allentown 10 years ago, 15 years ago, downtown was never unsafe, downtown was vacant, downtown was a ghost town, with the notable exception of the Butz Corporate Center,” Siegel said.

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LehighValleyNews.com

“There certainly wasn't anything downtown for our children. With the noble exception of [Lehigh Carbon Community College], we had no place for young people to go and learn.”

Also in attendance: Lehigh County Executive Phil Armstrong, Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, Allentown City Council President Cynthia Mota, and Allentown City Council Vice President Santo Napoli.

Mota and Napoli announced that the science center, officially dubbed the Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion, will dedicate part of its plaza to the Brownes.

In 2022, Sen. Pat Browne secured an additional $1 million grant from the state for the facility through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.

Reduced admission

Admission to the Da Vinci Science Center starts at $20 online (children ages 2 and under are free) or $22 in person.

Those who demonstrate need can pay $3 as part of the facility's Access for All Program.

To learn more about its exhibitions, click here.