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Photos by Ryan Moffatt |
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Science Center of Iowa Gallery The Science Center of Iowa (SCI) is a 110,000 sq. ft., $60 million dollar cultural/educational addition to the downtown scene that features dozens of interactive exhibits, a planetairum theater, and Des Moines' first IMAX theater. Built at the downtown terminus of 4th Street and along the Martin Luther King Jr. West Parkway, SCI has been instrumental in sparking development in the adjacent area and to Court Avenue two blocks to the north. The urban setting of the museum provides unique focal points for viewing what has instantly become a landmark in Des Moines. SCI has opened to rave reviews, and features platforms on Iowa's natural environment, astronomy/astrology, Iowa weather, moving objects, and much more. The three theaters and travelling exhibits showcased inside SCI provide an interest and a need to visit the museum time and time again. Below are 23 photos of SCI, which was completed in 2006. Expanded coverage of the interior of SCI will be the focus of future updates on this features page. Website: http://www.sciowa.org
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4th Street Entrance - Looking south down 4th Street shows the glassy signature entrance of SCI. November 2006 |
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4th Street Entrance - Looking up at the main entrance of SCI. November 2006 |
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Frontal View - Another view at the block and half long expanse of the north side of SCI. November 2006 |
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Entrance Canopy-
Looking down from the top floor of the SCI parking garage, a view of the entrance and nearby signage. November 2006 |
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Science Center of Iowa - A full view expanse of the north side of SCI taken from the adjacent parking garage. November 2006 |
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Science Center of Iowa - Another zoomed in view from the same location as above. November 2006 |
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SCI Outdoor Seating -
The east end of SCI provides an outdoor seating area near the indoor cafe/restaurant. November 2006 |
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Playground- A small playground occupies the west end of SCI . November 2006 |
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SCI Signs - An example of the colorful, eye-catching signs constructed around the SCI complex. November 2006 |
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West End - The southwest side of SCI facing Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway West is the business end of the complex, with loading doors and mechanical screening. November 2006 |
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South View - A look at the tan bricked south side of SCI. November 2006 |
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Theaters- The exterior view of the two theaters that are in SCI. November 2006 |
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Reflecting Pool -
An aerial view of the reflecting pool that hugs the east side of the building. November 2006 |
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Reflecting Pool - The ground level reflecting pool is on the east plaza of SCI, and the cladding on the IMAX theater reflects the moving water nicely day and night. |
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IMAX Theater - The full view of the Jackie and Myron Blank IMAX Theater on the southeast side of the museum. November 2006 |
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The Big Question - A more recent art addition to the SCI grounds is the $1 million landscaping and plaza rebuild of the east end of the complex into the Big Question? interactive art work/exhibit. November 2006 |
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IMAX Theater -
The contrasting building materials of SCI are shown here with a mix of glass, brick and metal. November 2006 |
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Parking Garage -
A three level parking deck was built to accommodate parking for visitors to SCI, and is decorated with signs that match the SCI theme. November 2006 |
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Exhibit Platforms - A view of one of the exhibit platforms inside SCI reveals an interesting exhibit about weather and Iowa's natural scenery and wildlife. November 2006 |
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Exhibit Platforms -
Another view of the natural scenery platform, featuring live animals, a working indoor stream, and a simulated bat cave. November 2006 |
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Exhibit Platforms - An overview of the natural scenery platform inside SCI. November 2006 |