California Science Center (Ryan Hainey- Courtney Carpenter)
Reviewed by: Courtney Carpenter, physical and biological science teacher at Dorsey High School.
APES Field Trip Guide added by Ryan Hainey. See at bottom of page
GPS Coordinates: 34°0′56″N 118°17′9″W / 34.01556°N 118.28583°W
Description of the Field Trip:
On this field trip students will focus on the Ecosystems exhibit and complete a scavenger hunt. By exploring the different exhibits within the Ecosystems gallery, students will be able to connect the information learned in class to what they see at the CA Science Center. If time permits, it is suggested that students explore other parts of the Science Center as well.
Physical Description of the Site:
The CA Science Center has so much to explore! It covers over 400,000 sq. feet and consists of three floors of exciting science content, exhibits and galleries. There is also an accompanying IMAX theater.
Explanantion of Ownership/Management:
The CA Science Center is a public-private partnership between California and the not-for-profit California Science Center Foundation. It consists of nine board of directors that have been appointed by the governor. The foundation provides support for exhibits and programs at the Science Center.
Mission:
The mission of the CA Science center is to spark curiosity and create fun and memorbale experiences centered around science learning.
The CA Science Center is located at the first State Exposition Building, which stood in the exact spot of the current Science Center, which opened in 1912. In 1912, it dispalyed simple agricultural displays of natural resources and industrial products from across the state. After World War II, the State Exposition Building was remodeled to emphasize the role of science and technology in everyday life. In the year 1951, it was renamed as the California Museum of Science and Industry. In 1987, the Museum transformed into a state-of-the-art science education facility. It was designed to respond to the needs of diverse communities and a state that continues to grow and evolve. At this time, it received its new name, the California Science Center.
The California Science Center's has evolved in three phases. The first phase opened in February 1998 with over 100 hands on activities in the World of Life and Creative World, exhibits. Phase II brought the opening of the Science Center School, a neighborhood public elementary school created in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Amgen Center for Science Learning. At the education division of the Science Center, professional development opportunities, training and tools for science, math and technology instruction are available. Then, in 2004, the Wallis Annenberg Building for Science Learning and Innovation opened, which is 80,000 sq. feet. It is designed to facilitate the creation and implementation of cutting-edge science learning and education practices. Housed within the Wallis Annenberg Building for Science Learning and Innovation, and open to students, teachers families and community educators, is the Big Lab, a 32,000 sq. foot inquiry space for hands-on science experiments.Other main features in Phase II are The SKETCH Foundation Gallery, Air and Space Exhibits featuring artifacts from over 100 years of flight and space exploration, and the expanded parking structure the Roy A. Anderson Blackbird Exhibit and Gardens, which features California native and friendly drought tolerant plants. The largest element of Phase II is Ecosystems, a permanent exhibit gallery focusing on Earth's ecosystems, which opened to the public on March 25, 2010. Phase III is still underway. Click the link below for more information.
Phases (details)
Access:
Admission is FREE
Open daily from 10am - 5pm
$10 for parking
Other Relevant Issues:
Audience:
Visiting the CA Science Center is a must! Field trips are offered for students in all grade levels. The CA Science Center provides suggested activities that connect with each grade level standard from preschool through grade 8, for more information, click here. Students can benefit from hands on activities that relate to what they are learning in the classroom. From ages 3-18, the Science Center offers Youth Programs, including labs, Saturday workshops, summer camp and much more!
The CA Science Center is an educational site and serves as a great outing for families. When visiting the CA Science center be sure to stop here at these family fun programs. Also, you can have a nice family picnic at the Rose Garden. In addition, you can enjoy an exciting Imax Film on the seven story Imax Screen. (the largest in Los Angeles)
In addition to students and families visiting the CA Science Center, science teachers of all subjects would enjoy this site.
The CA Science Center provides professional development opportunities and workshops for educators and parents. This covers a variety of topics.
Science Concepts Addressed:
Science Center list of grade level activities here.
APES Field Trip Guide:
This guide is designed to be used by APES students but it could also be used in a biology class to cover ecosystems. To use have students download the google docs app and download the document before the field trip. On the day of the field trip students can access the document offline within the google docs app to ensure it will work during the trip. The google doc format is used because these activities will require students to take photos and record videos, two tasks that can easily be added to a google doc.
Study Guide:
This study guide can be used as a scavenger hunt. This particular study guide focuses on the Ecosystems section of the CA Science Center. (Answer sheet for teachers)
Informational Map: Here is a link where you can access and download the visitor map of the CA Science Center. Please note that the Ecosystems exhibit is on the 1st and 2nd floor.
Photographs:
For additional information: California Science Center