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As we celebrate the remarkable 25th anniversary of Science City, we embark on a journey that began with a vision filled with hope and potential: “To ignite a passion for discovery by creating one-of-a-kind adventures.” This vision has not only driven the evolution of Science City but has also inspired generations of learners, dreamers, and innovators. Housed in the beautifully restored Union Station, Science City embodies the spirit of community, curiosity, and the limitless possibilities that science offers.

The roots of Science City trace back to September 1993 when a dedicated group of visionaries, the Science City Volunteer Council, kicked off their first major event. Their passion and collaborative spirit brought together an array of Kansas City businesses, organizations, and creative minds, all united to create unforgettable experiences. More than 22 exhilarating community events were planned and executed, each one aimed at raising awareness and supporting Science City and the restoration of the historic Union Station. Together, these volunteers, over 500, raised an incredible $1.45 million, a foundational investment in what would become an unparalleled science center.

Fast forward to November 10, 1999, a day that ignited excitement and anticipation across Kansas City. After years of careful planning, raising funds and construction, the dreams of both a world-class science center and a revitalized historic rail depot came to fruition. The grand opening of Science City welcomed families from all walks of life, eager to explore this innovative hub of learning. Science City’s $20 million exhibits included Family Medicine, City Golf, Farm Environment, Challenger Center, Secret City, Sports Training Center, Dinosaur Films, LTD., Test Kitchen, Mister E. Hotel, Crime Lab, Storm Center, Astronaut Training Center, Balanced Bicycle, and 17 other exhibit spaces.

In the following years, Science City continued to reimagine itself, introducing new exhibits and experiences that catered to the evolving needs of its audience. Since 1999 Science City has welcomed nearly 6 million guests including hundreds of thousands of school groups and scholarship programs. Reaching all audiences, Science City is able to provide exciting adventures where students conduct hands-on experiments, STEM programming, and more leaving students and guests with a spark of curiosity.

Major partnerships fueled ongoing innovation. Since 2011, Burns & McDonnell created a gigantic idea: a competition to inspire kids to think big about STEM in support of Science City. The concept was truly unique in the academic space – students would compete to design a science center concept, which would come to life as a million-dollar exhibit at Science City. Since then, Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains has grown to become one of the most robust K-12 STEM competitions in the United States.

And here in Science City, that effort has resulted in the creation and opening of truly world-class experiences including Unplugged in 2013 followed by Genetics: Unlock the Code and Every Last Drop in 2014. And since then, four more Battle of the Brains exhibits have come to life in Science City: Simple Machines at Play (2017), Amazing Brain (2019), Step Right Up! (2021) and Riveting Robots (2023) with more to come. Battle of the Brains has had more than 25,000 student participants across 55 school districts, fostering a competitive spirit in STEM education. With eight unique exhibits, the program has left a lasting impact, encouraging hundreds of thousands of scholarship students to explore science.

In 2018, Science City established the “Science City Powered by Burns & McDonnell” initiative, a commitment to promoting STEM fields through a multimillion-dollar investment of $2.5-3 million over five years. This partnership has helped develop new initiatives and programming, ensuring Science City remains at the forefront of educational excellence.

Science City remains steadfast in its mission to ignite a passion for learning. Each day, as new visitors step through their doors, they are welcomed into a realm of discovery that highlights the beauty of science and the joy of exploration. Here is to 25 years of imagination, curiosity, and community, and many more years of inspiring futures we have yet to imagine. Join us in celebrating the journey that is Science City, where the possibilities are as vast as the universe itself!

LIGHT LAB – Opening May 2025

Science City is primed for a thrilling future, continuing its 25-year legacy of lifelong love for science, learning and discovery. With the highly anticipated “Light Lab” set to debut in May 2025, visitors will embark on an extraordinary journey into the mesmerizing world of light. This immersive exhibit will provide engaging, educational experiences, unraveling the captivating principles of optics and illumination.

In the 2023 Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains competition, a 14-student team from Delta Woods Middle School secured $50,000 in grant money for STEM education. Plus, they will collaborate with professionals at Burns & McDonnell to transform their winning proposal into the next striking $1 million exhibit at Science City. This project will embrace a wide array of concepts, extending from physics to chemistry and mathematics, all designed to enhance the educational landscape.

INTO THE FUTURE

As we look ahead, Science City’s next chapter is rich with promise and opportunity. We are committed to honoring the achievements of the past while inviting families, schools, and curious minds of all ages to dive into the infinite wonders of science. The adventures that await are designed to ignite curiosity and fuel the dreams of aspiring scientists, inventors, and thinkers of tomorrow.

Together, we can inspire future generations to dream boldly, embrace their curiosity, and embark on unique journeys of discovery. Science City is the ultimate destination for our youngest explorers and beyond, offering an incredible opportunity to experience the amazing world of science firsthand. Whether indoors or outdoors, through fun and engaging exhibits and educator-led programs, your lifelong love of science, learning, and discovery begins here. The future of Science City is bright, and we are excited to share this adventure with you!

A JOURNEY OF INNOVATION, DISCOVERY AND CURIOSITY. . . Celebrating 25 Years of Science City