Arizona Science Center

The Arizona Science Center is a great place for families. It’s free, and most of the exhibits are interactive so children can get their hands dirty learning about physics, chemistry, biology, geology, and more! You can also see IMAX movies inside the dome theater or just watch one in your car while you’re waiting in line for food outside.  Arizona Science Center: where fun meets science!

Brief History

The Arizona Science Center, formerly known as the AZ Museum of Science & Technology (1984-1997), was originally a small 10,000 sq ft space in downtown Phoenix. In 1993 construction began on its current building and opened to the public again after an 18-year hiatus. The science center has served over 500k guests since 1997 when it reopened with more than 87,000 visitors during its inaugural year alone.

The Arizona Science  Center is split into 5 sections:

Each section offers an interesting experience that we will delve deeper into below! Exhibits at the Arizona Science Center:

Permanent Exhibits

The Arizona Science Center is an interactive museum that provides the public with a hands-on experience. The permanent exhibits explore various foundational aspects of science, including biology, physics, and electricity. 

These attractions are some of the center’s most visited, drawing in hundreds and thousands every year! 

1. Many Hands Make a Home explores what you need to know in order to build a home by exploring materials, processes, and knowledge.
2. The All About Me exhibit explores how our bodies move, heal themselves, learn new things, and use biotechnology.
3. My Digital World. This virtual tour allows you to explore every corner of this center that includes over 150 hands-on exhibits and displays, including a rainforest.
4. Get Charged Up explores gravity, electricity, friction, and magnetism.
5. The Solarville Exhibition explains to visitors how the sun affects our lives, solar energy, and why we need to use it responsibly.
6. Explore the forces of nature through a storm and geological events that occur on land, water, or in the air.

Dorrance Planetarium

The Dorrance Planetarium has been a main attraction at the Arizona Science Center since its creation in 1997. It is host to many popular special events, including Laser and Liquor show which incorporates music from bands like Led Zeppelin and Metallica as well as shows such as Stranger Things. This event is aimed towards an older audience so it’s not for all ages!

Irene P. Flinn Theater

For a one-of-a-kind experience, the Irene P Flinn theater is your place. The five-story screen will astound you with its gigantic size and 3D capabilities!

Victoria T-Rex Exhibition

The exhibit features a series of interactive stations to let the visitor experience different facets of this dinosaur, such as: Create Victoria which allows visitors to create their own version and watch it come to life; Experience Victoria where they can see the environment from that time period or all flora & fauna at that time; Become Victorias’ senses through sensory stations for what it was like being one during those times. The whole thing will conclude with Watching Victorian be alive on screen!

Create Makerspace

The Arizona Science Center’s Create Makerspace allows visitors of all ages to create and solve puzzles. From woodworking tools, 3D printing & laser cutting under supervision, the feature sums up what the science center stands for: allowing people to explore their creative side!

Museum Hours:

• Open daily
• 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m
• Closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day

Admission Fee

At the Arizona Science Center, adults pay $19.95 for general admission while children (ages 3-17) only have to pay $14.95, and kids 2 or under get in free! Kids can also explore everything the museum has on display in their interactive planetariums which cost just as much: Adult General Admission is priced at 9 dollars each whereas Child General Admission will set you back 8 bucks.* The Giant Screen Theater requires a separate fee of 9 dollars per adult ticket with child tickets costing an equal amount; this option costs less than half what it would be if you wanted to see either show alone so why not take advantage?

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