The California Science Center (sometimes spelled California ScienCenter) is a state agency and museum located in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. Billed as the West Coast's largest hands-on science center, the California Science Center is a public-private partnership between the State and the California Science Center Foundation. The museum is also an affiliate in the Smithsonian Affiliations program.[1]
Formerly known as the California Museum of Science and Industry, the Museum was remodeled in 1998 as the California Science Center. Currently it consists of the IMAX Theater, the Sketch Foundation Gallery - Air and Space Exhibits (formerly Aerospace Hall), designed by Frank Gehry, and the Science Center itself - including the March 2010 opening of the Ecosystems exhibition wing.
The California Science Center hosts the California State Science Fair annually.
In late 2012, the center received the Space Shuttle Endeavour.[2]
General admission is free although there is a charge for rides and the IMAX Theater. Reservations are required to see Endeavour during peak periods.[3] The museum hosted 2 million visitors in 2012 on the basis of the Endeavour exhibit.[4]