Center to Boost Science Learning

Planners of the new nonprofit Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana are busy transforming a furniture store on North Main Street into an informative and exciting new place to go in Orange County.

Last weekend, a big crowd turned out for a grand party to herald the new facility. And for those not on the black-tie circuit, there has been some fun already: the challenge of dusting off their knowledge of square roots to figure out how high the center’s landmark cube structure actually will be.

Among the good news at the benefit for a crowd of 600 people was the announcement of a $2-million gift made by philanthropists John and Donna Crean. It was the largest single donation from private citizens. Recently, the children’s science center also was earmarked for a $3-million grant from the Beckman Foundation to train the county’s elementary school teachers in science. The grant also will provide classroom materials.

The state has contributed $6.75 million, and the center will have a $3.5-million annual operating budget.

The facility is two months behind schedule and now is scheduled to open in December. But the enthusiasm generated by the facility is contagious. It promises to be an important new place for kids and parents to learn about science.

When the huge cube that will draw attention to the center is done, it will surely become a local landmark. For visitors to the center, the interior will serve as a place for exhibits as well as a point of interest.

When the center opens, it will be home to more than 100 interactive exhibits. These will include a small tornado for kids to walk through and an earthquake simulator.

There also will be a computer lab, educational programs and field trips. The facility will have a flight simulator, a climbing wall and a build-it-yourself robot. Youngsters will be able to learn how to build a space rover, create sand dunes and make clouds.

Southern California offers a range of exhibitions for educational fun and diversion. For Orange County, it is wonderful to have this important new facility to look forward to. It promises to combine fun and education in a way that will benefit the community.