East Kentucky Science Center
Encyclopedia
The East Kentucky Science Center is a private, non-profit science center
and planetarium
located on the main campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College
in Prestonsburg
, Kentucky
. The center features a planetarium, exhibit hall with traveling exhibits, science classrooms, and gift shop.
and science
captured the attention of educators and local residents in 1994. A coalition was formed that focused on promoting and implementing science education into the region. At one of the first meetings, John Rosenburg proposed an ambitious plan: to build a science center
and planetarium
similar to the one in Gastonia, North Carolina
, his hometown. Rosenburg had already created the proposal for the East Kentucky Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology, which gained support of State Representative
Greg Stumbo.
After outreach education operations in 1997 proved that the majority of population within the region had difficulty in understanding mathematics and science, the organization began developing hands-on programs that would help overcome these issues. In 1998, the Kentucky General Assembly
appropriated $1.6 million for the construction of the building and another $1 million for the centers equipment. The awarded funds were based on figures provided by a consulting architect working under the assumption that costs were significantly lower than those required for a project built on the campus of a community college
. The centers board of directors noticed this mistake and was forced to down-size the building plan. The new revised plans called for a 12000 sq ft (1,114.8 m²) facility, with a 85-seat, 40 ft (12.2 m). planetarium, 3000 sq ft (278.7 m²). exhibit area, 1000 sq ft (92.9 m²). science classroom, gift shop and offices. In 2000, the organization received an additional $1 million for the construction of the building. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on November 9, 2001 and construction began in September 2002. Finally in March 2004, the East Kentucky Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology, which was shortened to the Eastern Kentucky Science Center, opened to the public.
As of July 1, 2008, the East Kentucky Science Center became part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
.
During the Summer of 2011, The East Kentucky Science Center and Planetarium will do $200,000.00 upgrade to the Planetarium. A Spitz SciDome HD will be installed to compliment the GOTO Chronos Star Machine and the SkyLase Laser system. This upgrade will greatly enhance the programs and will make the Planetarium one of the most technologically advanced Planetariums in the country.
Science center
A science center or science centre is a science museum that emphasizes a hands-on approach, featuring interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to experiment and explore....
and planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
located on the main campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Big Sandy Community and Technical College
Big Sandy Community and Technical College , with its headquarters in Prestonsburg, Kentucky, is one of 16 two-year, open-admissions colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System . It was created in 2003 from the consolidation of Prestonsburg Community College and Mayo Technical...
in Prestonsburg
Prestonsburg, Kentucky
Prestonsburg is a city in and the county seat of Floyd County, Kentucky, United States. It lies in the eastern part of the state, along the banks of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. It was founded in 1797 by Col. John Preston—for whom it was named—along with Solomon Stratton, Matthias...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The center features a planetarium, exhibit hall with traveling exhibits, science classrooms, and gift shop.
History
Low test scores in both mathematicsMathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
captured the attention of educators and local residents in 1994. A coalition was formed that focused on promoting and implementing science education into the region. At one of the first meetings, John Rosenburg proposed an ambitious plan: to build a science center
Science center
A science center or science centre is a science museum that emphasizes a hands-on approach, featuring interactive exhibits that encourage visitors to experiment and explore....
and planetarium
Planetarium
A planetarium is a theatre built primarily for presenting educational and entertaining shows about astronomy and the night sky, or for training in celestial navigation...
similar to the one in Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
, his hometown. Rosenburg had already created the proposal for the East Kentucky Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology, which gained support of State Representative
Kentucky House of Representatives
The Kentucky House of Representatives is the lower house of the Kentucky General Assembly. It is composed of 100 Representatives elected from single-member districts throughout the Commonwealth. Not more than two counties can be joined to form a House district, except when necessary to preserve...
Greg Stumbo.
After outreach education operations in 1997 proved that the majority of population within the region had difficulty in understanding mathematics and science, the organization began developing hands-on programs that would help overcome these issues. In 1998, the Kentucky General Assembly
Kentucky General Assembly
The Kentucky General Assembly, also called the Kentucky Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Kentucky.The General Assembly meets annually in the state capitol building in Frankfort, Kentucky, convening on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January...
appropriated $1.6 million for the construction of the building and another $1 million for the centers equipment. The awarded funds were based on figures provided by a consulting architect working under the assumption that costs were significantly lower than those required for a project built on the campus of a community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
. The centers board of directors noticed this mistake and was forced to down-size the building plan. The new revised plans called for a 12000 sq ft (1,114.8 m²) facility, with a 85-seat, 40 ft (12.2 m). planetarium, 3000 sq ft (278.7 m²). exhibit area, 1000 sq ft (92.9 m²). science classroom, gift shop and offices. In 2000, the organization received an additional $1 million for the construction of the building. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on November 9, 2001 and construction began in September 2002. Finally in March 2004, the East Kentucky Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology, which was shortened to the Eastern Kentucky Science Center, opened to the public.
As of July 1, 2008, the East Kentucky Science Center became part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Headquartered in Versailles, Kentucky, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System comprises 16 colleges with over 68 campuses. Programs offered include associate degrees, pre-baccalaureate education to transfer to a public 4-year institution; adult education, continuing and developmental...
.
During the Summer of 2011, The East Kentucky Science Center and Planetarium will do $200,000.00 upgrade to the Planetarium. A Spitz SciDome HD will be installed to compliment the GOTO Chronos Star Machine and the SkyLase Laser system. This upgrade will greatly enhance the programs and will make the Planetarium one of the most technologically advanced Planetariums in the country.