Stuff.co.nz, Dunedin to get $3.25m science centre, 12 February 2015

The Otago Museum Trust announced today that its new facility for “science engagement” would include a 65-seat immersive planetarium, redevelopment of the popular Discovery World, renovation of the museum’s educational suites and the creation of a dedicated science communication team.

Otago Museum’s Discovery World Tropical Forest attracted about 88,000 visitors every year and the planned redevelopment aimed to double that number by making the centre 50 per cent bigger.

Museum director Ian Griffin said the museum wanted to develop and encourage a passion for science in its visitors.

“Extending the science taught in school in an engaging, non-formal learning environment is key to inspiring real interest in and conversation about how science influences our everyday lives,” he said.

“We also see it as an investment in our local tourism industry and in the Dunedin community.”

The new planetarium is expected to open by the end of October, while the redeveloped Discovery World will open in October next year.