by Sandra Fikes

Created on: July 21, 2009

"...the world around us is a series of exciting experiences to be discovered." That is one of the defining characteristics that the Liberty Science Center focuses on when they define what they do. They inspire, both student and teacher, to desire to learn. The center creates an environment where visitors are inspired. Visitors discover how scientific advances are connected to, and improve, our lives and everything around us.

If you visited the Liberty Science Center before its 2005 to 2007 renovation, then you need to visit it again. Located in the historic Liberty State Park, the Liberty Science Center reopened in July 2007 as a 20,000 square-foot center dedicated to learning and teaching about science, about the impact of science on society, and most importantly, about inspiring others to feel excited well beyond their visit.

The Liberty Science Center got its start in the 1970's when the Star-Ledger newspaper published a series of editorials that brought the need for more scientific educational resources. In the 1980's local corporations, in a public and private partnership, raised $68 million with which to build the Liberty Science Center - which has since become one of New Jersey's most popular attractions.

In addition to special exhibits, the Liberty Science Center has many Permanent Exhibitions: Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact, Infection Connection, Communication, I Explore, Our Hudson Home, Eat and Be Eaten, Breakthroughs, Exhibit Commons and Science Now Science Everywhere. I will look at each of these permanent exhibitions in a bit of detail.

Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact
Skyscrapers have become such a part of city life, that many if not most of us never tend to think about what the technology of the skyscraper is all about. That is where the Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact exhibition comes in. Guests learn about the science, technology, planning and construction of skyscrapers. The Liberty Science Center has, as its vantage point, the magnificent skyscrapers of the lower Manhattan skyline - what better place from which to learn about the science of skyscrapers and how that science impacts our everyday lives? The exhibit is larger than some museums dedicated to skyscrapers, and is the largest permanent exhibit at the Liberty Science Center. Guests learn about the basic physics of elevator operation, how building materials are assessed with hurricane-like winds, and "green" design principles that are being used by architects and engineers

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