The Danville Science Center is celebrating its 20th year of existence with an exciting new development — the unveiling the Danville Digital Dome on Feb. 22.
From 9 a.m. to noon, Science Center members will enjoy the first peek at the Dome, followed by an opening to the general public from noon to 5 p.m.
The Digital Dome theater features a state-of-the-art projection system that will translate science into an immersive full-dome visual and surround-sound audio experience.
Visitors to the 100-seat theater will feel the universe stretch endlessly over their heads, dinosaurs will reach down and grab them from their seats (or so it will seem!) and volcanoes will erupt in terrifying closeness.
In fact, it is estimated that 40,000 people will experience Danville’s Digital Dome in the first year alone.
But the past 20 years have been full of a lot of growth for the Science Center, a division of the Science Museum of Virginia, and an integral partner in the Crossing of the Dan, a complex of restored historic buildings in Danville’s downtown warehouse district.
“The positive influence of the Science Center has continued to grow as the offerings, exhibits, programs and facilities have expanded,” said Jeff Liverman, the recently retired executive director of the Science Center. “Today, the Science Center welcomes more than 30,000 visitors a year from all across our region, state and county. Exhibits that appeal to all ages, learning styles and interests are all part of the Science Center experience.”
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| Photo by Steve Mantilla - Danville Register & Bee |
The complex
The Science Center spreads its fun across two buildings: Science Central in the former Southern Railway Administrative Building, plus an addition in 2005, and Science Station, the Southern Railway Passenger Station, which still operates as an Amtrak station.
Trains whiz by often to the delight of Crossing visitors.
Other stops include the Butterfly Station and Garden, a Norfolk and Western Caboose and the River Lab down by the Dan River.
The Butterfly Station will open again for the season on April 19 with the annual Spring Fling for butterflies and herbs. The garden gates open at 11 a.m. with butterfly releases at noon and 2 p.m.
The Butterfly Station and Garden, as well as the caboose, are open to the public free of charge. The River Lab is open by appointment.
A new universe
The Digital Dome will offer visitors a “whole universe of exciting presentations featuring a full spectrum of science topics,” Liverman said.
“The Digital Dome is a 360-degree film experience that puts you in the midst of the action. Plus, we will be able to take you to the edges of the known universe with our advanced astronomy software,” said Liverman. “The 100-seat capacity is also ideal for dramatic science demonstrations or small science theater programs.”
The first movies shown at the Dome will be “Flight of the Butterflies,” “Cosmic Journey: Adventure through the Solar System” and “Perfect Little Planet,” a title for young audiences.
“The times of the movies will change as we look at the demand,” said Sonya Wolen, assistant director. “We will have a minimum of three movies per day and two on Sunday. The best thing to do is look on the website [www.dsc.smv.org] for times or to call the Science Center.”
Exhibit fun
Permanent exhibits at the Science Center include:
» Fundamentals of Science that unlocks the secrets of biology, gravity, friction, force, light and magnetism.
» Sproutsville and Oh Zone, a small-scale town full of building fun and light and color investigations for ages 2 to 8.
» Science on a Sphere that uses computers and projectors to display animated data on the outside of a large sphere.
» Time of Your Life that explores the triggers of biological timing.
» The Estelle H. Womack Natural History Collection with its collections of large animal mounts, fauna and flora of the Dan River Region and collections of fossils and minerals.
Besides the permanent exhibits, however, are the visiting exhibits. Exhibits for 2014 include:
» From Here to There: This exhibit is at the Science Center until May 18 and explores the science of how things move.
» Attack of the Bloodsuckers: Also here through May 18, this exhibit explores the world of sanguinivores, or creatures that eat blood. The exhibit includes encounters with live species and interactive activities.
The Science Center expects to have the visiting exhibit “Ocean Bound” throughout the summer and fall.
The exhibit will take “visitors on a journey through watersheds to see how everyone’s actions affect our ocean,” according to the news release.
Features will include a 3-D watershed model through which they can guide water from mountain streams to oceans, through storm drains and through hazardous mazes. Families can also move “rain clouds” over 3-D terrains and pilot a life-size “submersible” to discover aquatic life and habitats along the way.
The Science Center is committed to keeping individual admissions, including the theater, to less than $10, according to Liverman. Adult admission is $7 for exhibits only, $6 for film only and both for $10; youth and seniors (60+) is $6 for exhibits, $5 for film and both for $9; and members are free.
Additional membership information is on the website at www.dsc.smv.org.
Spend a day at the Crossing
The Danville Science Center is not the only activity to fill a day at the Crossing at the Dan.
Beginning the first Saturday of May and ending the last Saturday in October, the Community Market opens early in the morning to host the Danville Farmers Market. Local gardeners and farmers market their fresh fruit and vegetables; pork, chicken and beef; fresh baked goods; and other commodities and wares. Come early for the best selection.
Across the parking lot at the Crossing visitors can also access Danville’s paved Riverwalk Trail that winds more than eight miles beside the Dan River. The Riverwalk also links to the 25-mile Anglers Ridge mountain bike trail system.
A few blocks away, antique hunters can shop at Lou’s Antiques at 225 Main St.
And then to catch a good meal, there are several dining option close by:
» Jake’s on Main at 215 Main St.
(434) 792-0123 / www.jakesonmaindanville.com
» Dell’Anno’s Pizza Kitchen at 316 Main St.
(434) 794-1100
» Golden Leaf Bistro at 316 Craghead St.
(434) 791-3191 / www.goldenleafbistro.com
» Main Street Coffee Emporium at 547 Main St.
(434) 792-4252
Elzey is a freelance writer at the Register & Bee. She can be reached at susanelzey@yahoo.com or (434) 791-7991.
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