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SCI Blog

At the Science Center of Iowa, our goal is to be a quality community resource for informal science learning where children, families, school groups and individuals of all ages come to explore science and technology.

To continue the learning outside our building, we bring you the SCI blog! Our knowledgeable staff, along with special guests and local scientists, will give you a behind-the-scenes look at SCI activities, in-depth information about science events and STEM connections in the Des Moines area.

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  • We're adapting and innovating

    To our community,

    First of all, I hope you are doing well, staying healthy and taking care of yourself. Today, I want to share some updates from SCI as we navigate this rapidly evolving situation and the impacts COVID-19 is having on our community, our field and our organization.

    Our building has been closed to the public since March 16, and we will be extending our temporary closure through April 30. But just as you are adapting to working and schooling from home, we are adapting to bringing our experiences to you digitally. In the coming days, we will roll out a series of virtual learning resources to help you “Go Beyond with SCI.” We hope these will help you fill your days – and learn something new! Until then, you can visit www.sciowa.org/athome for some of the other activities and online resources we’ve developed over the years.

    We also have been forced to confront some difficult realities. Many cultural institutions, including SCI, depend on having people visit our public spaces every day. Without those revenues, the financial impact has been and will continue to be severe. In order to maintain our operations now and be able to successfully ramp them back up when we are able to reopen, our board and leadership made the difficult decision this week to reduce staffing levels to only the essential employees. These are unprecedented times.

    We need your support now more than ever. I know the financial needs in our communities are great, but if you are able, please consider making a contribution to help offset the gap in lost revenue and keep our mission of engaging and inspiring Iowans along their journey of lifelong science learning alive. A gift of $50, $100, $500 or more can make a big difference. Click here to donate directly to SCI online.

    We will weather this storm. And we need science now more than ever. Thank you, again, for your unwavering support. We will continue to adapt and innovate as we navigate these uncertain times together.

    With hope,

    Curt Simmons
    President & CEO

    Other Ways to Help  

    • Urge Congress to support museum community economic relief Learn more
    • Contact the U.S. Senate to protect the health of the attractions industry Learn more
    • Donate to SCI to help offset the lost revenue and maintain essential staffing during this unprecedented time Donate now

  • SCI to close in response to COVID-19

    To our SCI community,

    In order to contain the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus), the Science Center of Iowa will temporarily close to the public starting Monday, March 16, at 10:00 am, through Friday, March 27. All events and programming during this period also are cancelled. The SCI Preschool will remain open through March 20, at which time, next steps will be evaluated.

    The safety of our visitors, volunteers and staff is our top priority. As an organization dedicated to science education, we are following the recommendations of public health officials who have advised that social distancing is a critical measure to reducing the spread of novel coronavirus.

    We plan to reopen on Saturday, March 28, but we will continue to make decisions based on guidance from the CDC, the Iowa Department of Public Health and Governor Reynolds.

    Thank you for your patience during this evolving situation. We take these steps now so that we may more quickly welcome you back to SCI.

    Take care of yourselves, your communities and your information intake – make sure you’re following verified sources to help separate findings from feelings.

    If you have any questions, please contact me.

    Curt Simmons
    President and CEO