Science Museums and Centers
Museums of science and industry are classified into two general types. Historical museums preserve and display objects important to the development of science and technology. Centers teach the principles related to these fields. The two types are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Science museums have their origin in the "cabinets of curiosities," assembled by scientifically minded people. Methods and procedures differ in the two types of museums. In the historical institutions scholars collect and care for the objects and arrange exhibitions. In the science and technology centers the principal staff members are apt to be scientists with an interest in teaching.
California: San Diego: Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center
Browse the online exhibits at the Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center, located in San Diego, California.
California: San Francisco: California Academy of Sciences
View a visitor’s guide and information on research and education programs at the California Academy of Sciences.
California: San Francisco: Exploratorium Museum: ExploraNet
Browse information on exhibits and events, educational programs, and teacher workshops at San Francisco's Exploratorium.
California: San Francisco: Exploratorium: Science Centers
Browse an annotated hotlist of 'cool sites' sponsored by museums, planetariums, and aquariums.
Florida: Miami: Miami Museum of Science
Find out about permanent and temporary exhibits and presentations on acid-base (pH) chemistry and hurricanes.
Massachusetts: Worcester: New England Science Center
View visitor information along with photograph galleries on eclipses, telescopes, and comets at the New England Science Center.
Michigan: Detroit: Detroit Science Center
View general visitor information and details on education programs and workshops at the Detroit Science Center.
Missouri: Saint Louis: Saint Louis Science Center
Browse visitor services, education programs, and online versions of gallery exhibits at the St. Louis Science Center.
New York: Ithaca: Sciencenter.org: Ithaca Science Museum
See a profile of the Carl Sagan Planet Walk and educational resources for children at this site from Ithaca Science Museum.
Pennsylvania: Philadelphia: Franklin Institute Science Museum
Read information about the programs and history of this Philadelphia museum and its associated planetarium.
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh: Carnegie Mellon University: Worldwide Science Centers Information Guide
Browse a directory of public museums with a strong emphasis on interactive science education.
Washington D.C.: Smithsonian Institution: National Air and Space Museum
Read information about the history and mission of the National Air and Space division of the Smithsonian Institution.