We’ve Got Fun Down to a Science!

Explore the wonders of science, biomedical technology, space exploration and more. See and touch hundreds of hands-on exhibits, visit the NASA Glenn Visitor Center, immerse yourself in our awe-inspiring giant OMNIMAX® theater, climb aboard a historic Great Lakes freighter and marvel at science demonstrations performed right before your eyes. Experience an amusement park for the mind!

Find out what Great Lakes Science Center is all about! Watch our video.

Science Phenomena Exhibits
Experiment with more than 100 hands-on exhibits that satisfy and delight the curious scientist in each of us. Explore the science of light, optics, sound, resonance, motion, mechanics, electricity, magnetism and weather. Touch The Indoor Tornado, stand on The Bridge of Fire, explore The Shadow Room and make music with the PVC Chorus.

NASA Glenn Visitor Center
Great Lakes Science Center is the official site of the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. Explore exhibits and artifacts demonstrating the importance of aeronautics, science and space exploration. Highlights include space shuttle and lunar lander models, flight simulators and the Apollo command module used during the Skylab 3 mission. Click here to learn more about the NASA Glenn Visitor Center.

The Cleveland Clinic OMNIMAX® Theater
Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience. Our OMNIMAX® Theater features a six-story-high, domed theater with 11,600 watts of digital sound. You’ll feel like you’re actually in these exciting adventure films shot in IMAX, the world’s largest film format. Visit the OMNIMAX web page to see what’s playing now!

The Steamship William G. Mather
Discover what life was like aboard a working Great Lakes freighter as you tour this restored 618-foot historic flagship. Explore the 1925-built Mather and see its huge cargo holds, brass and oak pilot house, elegant guest quarters, and four-story engine room. Open seasonally. Find out more about the Mather here.

BioMedTech Gallery
Explore advances in medical technology and engineering. Discover interactive exhibits focusing on genomics, stem cells, prosthetics, functional electrical stimulation(FES), infectious diseases and medical imaging. For more information on the BioMedTech Gallery, click here.

The Polymer Funhouse
Just for those 7 and under, Polymer Funhouse lets young kids stretch, shake, build, pull and play with polymers of all types and features the ever-popular ball pit. Port Polymer, the outdoor play area, is located on the outdoor deck adjacent to the Polymer Funhouse, overlooking North Coast Harbor. Port Polymer is open seasonally as the weather permits. Learn more about the Polymer Funhouse here.

Advanced Energy Exhibits
Towering 150 feet into the air, the iconic wind turbine in front of the Science Center represents the growing importance of advanced energy in our daily lives. Coupled with a 300-foot solar array canopy representing Great Lakes Science Center’s second advanced energy initiative, the two advanced energy resources provide 6% of the Science Center’s daily power supply. Inside the Science Center, interact with a touch-screen kiosk displaying both real-time and historical data. Click here to find out more.

Special Exhibitions
The Science Center presents special exhibitions on loan from major institutions worldwide. Exploring topics such as science, technology and the environment, these exhibitions are on view for a limited time only. Popular past exhibitions have included Robots and Us, Goosebumps! The Science of Fear and Chocolate.

Big Science Shows
Witness fun and amazing daily science demonstrations presented by Science Center staff. Uncover the “shocking truth” behind electricity, discover the magical world of bubbles, learn about matter, and much more. Check daily schedule for show times.

CaFé
Enjoy a tasty break from your exploration of the Science Center at the Elements CaFé! Located on the lower level, the restaurant features kids meals, soups, salads, sandwiches, pizzas and weekly specials. In conjunction with Great Lakes Science Center’s commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, the café uses biodegradable products, including cups, cutlery, plates and more, that are environmentally friendly.

The Science Store
The Science Store offers a unique array of science-themed books, toys, games, jewelry, clothing and much more! Browse through our selection of merchandise related to our OMNIMAX© films and current special exhibitions. Online shopping is available here.