The East Kentucky Science Center was once a private, non-profit science center and planetarium located on the main campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. As of 2008, the EKSC became part of Big Sandy Community and Technical College, which now funds and operates the Science Center.. The center features a planetarium, exhibit hall with traveling exhibits, science classrooms, and gift shop.[1]
Low test scores in both mathematics and science captured the attention of educators and local residents in 1994. A coalition was formed that focused on promoting and implementing science education into the region. At one of the first meetings, John Rosenburg proposed an ambitious plan: to build a science center and planetarium similar to the one in Gastonia, North Carolina, his hometown. Rosenburg had already created the proposal for the East Kentucky Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology, which gained support of State Representative Greg Stumbo.[2]
After outreach education operations in 1997 proved that the majority of population within the region had difficulty in understanding mathematics and science, the organization began developing hands-on programs that would help overcome these issues. In 1998, the Kentucky General Assembly appropriated $1.6 million for the construction of the building and another $1 million for the centers equipment. The awarded funds were based on figures provided by a consulting architect working under the assumption that costs were significantly lower than those required for a project built on the campus of a community college. The centers board of directors noticed this mistake and was forced to downsize the building plan. The new revised plans called for a 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2) facility, with an 85-seat, 40 ft (12 m). planetarium, 3,000 sq ft (280 m2). exhibit area, 1,000 sq ft (93 m2). science classroom, gift shop and offices.[2] In 2000, the organization received an additional $1 million for the construction of the building. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on November 9, 2001, and construction began in September 2002. Finally in March 2004, the East Kentucky Center for Science, Mathematics and Technology, which was shortened to the Eastern Kentucky Science Center, opened to the public.[2]
During the Fall of 2011, The East Kentucky Science Center and Planetarium made a $200,000.00 upgrade to the Planetarium. A Spitz SciDome HD Full Dome projection system was installed to complement the GOTO Chronos Star Machine and the SkyLase Laser system. In 2018 a SkyLase Manual Laser controller was installed to do live laser, and in 2019, a new Chroma Cove LED lighting system was installed. These upgrades greatly enhanced the programs and made the Planetarium one of the most technologically advanced Planetariums in the country.
It is also known as the East Kentucky Science Center and Planetarium, and the East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium.
Referencesedit
^East Kentucky Science Center 2010-06-28 at the Wayback Machine Floyd County Convention and Visitors Board. Retrieved on 2010-09-27
^ abcAttractions Floyd County Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved on 2010-09-27
School Program Catalog & Visit Planner (2016-2017)
April 10, 2024
east, kentucky, science, center, once, private, profit, science, center, planetarium, located, main, campus, sandy, community, technical, college, prestonsburg, kentucky, 2008, eksc, became, part, sandy, community, technical, college, which, funds, operates, s. The East Kentucky Science Center was once a private non profit science center and planetarium located on the main campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College in Prestonsburg Kentucky As of 2008 the EKSC became part of Big Sandy Community and Technical College which now funds and operates the Science Center The center features a planetarium exhibit hall with traveling exhibits science classrooms and gift shop 1 East Kentucky Science CenterLocation within KentuckyShow map of KentuckyEast Kentucky Science Center the United States Show map of the United StatesEstablishedMarch 2004Location7 Bert T Combs Drive Prestonsburg Kentucky 41653Coordinates37 41 10 N 82 46 52 W 37 686 N 82 781 W 37 686 82 781TypeScience center planetariumDirectorSteven LJ RussoWebsitebigsandy kctcs edu EKSCHistory editLow test scores in both mathematics and science captured the attention of educators and local residents in 1994 A coalition was formed that focused on promoting and implementing science education into the region At one of the first meetings John Rosenburg proposed an ambitious plan to build a science center and planetarium similar to the one in Gastonia North Carolina his hometown Rosenburg had already created the proposal for the East Kentucky Center for Science Mathematics and Technology which gained support of State Representative Greg Stumbo 2 After outreach education operations in 1997 proved that the majority of population within the region had difficulty in understanding mathematics and science the organization began developing hands on programs that would help overcome these issues In 1998 the Kentucky General Assembly appropriated 1 6 million for the construction of the building and another 1 million for the centers equipment The awarded funds were based on figures provided by a consulting architect working under the assumption that costs were significantly lower than those required for a project built on the campus of a community college The centers board of directors noticed this mistake and was forced to downsize the building plan The new revised plans called for a 12 000 sq ft 1 100 m2 facility with an 85 seat 40 ft 12 m planetarium 3 000 sq ft 280 m2 exhibit area 1 000 sq ft 93 m2 science classroom gift shop and offices 2 In 2000 the organization received an additional 1 million for the construction of the building Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on November 9 2001 and construction began in September 2002 Finally in March 2004 the East Kentucky Center for Science Mathematics and Technology which was shortened to the Eastern Kentucky Science Center opened to the public 2 As of July 1 2008 the East Kentucky Science Center became part of Big Sandy Community and Technical College which is part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System 3 During the Fall of 2011 The East Kentucky Science Center and Planetarium made a 200 000 00 upgrade to the Planetarium A Spitz SciDome HD Full Dome projection system was installed to complement the GOTO Chronos Star Machine and the SkyLase Laser system In 2018 a SkyLase Manual Laser controller was installed to do live laser and in 2019 a new Chroma Cove LED lighting system was installed These upgrades greatly enhanced the programs and made the Planetarium one of the most technologically advanced Planetariums in the country It is also known as the East Kentucky Science Center and Planetarium and the East Kentucky Science Center and Varia Planetarium References edit East Kentucky Science Center Archived 2010 06 28 at the Wayback Machine Floyd County Convention and Visitors Board Retrieved on 2010 09 27 a b c Attractions Floyd County Chamber of Commerce Retrieved on 2010 09 27 08 RS HB 622 GA Retrieved on 2010 09 27External links editSchool Program Catalog amp Visit Planner 2016 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title East Kentucky Science Center amp oldid 1193897589, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
