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Da Vinci Science Center history
Da Vinci Science Center company history timeline
The Da Vinci Science Center’s roots were planted in 1992 when Lehigh University in Bethlehem formed the Science Model Area Resource Team (SMART) to provide interactive science experiences for local students.
The Da Vinci Science Center’s slogan represents the inspiring essence of its evolution since 1992 into a national award-winning science center and industry leader.
15, 1992 Lehigh University announces the establishment of Science Model Area Resource Team (SMART) Center to host the JASON Project broadcasts, to produce hands-on experiences for young people that promote interest in science and technology, and to train teachers to nurture those interests.
Summer 1993 The Center hosts its first two extended teacher professional development programs – the Hughes Intern Research Experience (HIRE) program and the Mat/TER residence program, which focused on materials science.
March 9, 1994 The Center holds the First Discovery Expo at Moravian College to compliment SMART Center’s hosting of JASON broadcasts.
April 1995 The SMART Discovery Center is incorporated as a member corporation of Lehigh University.
The renamed Discovery Center of Science and Technology opened an expanded visitor experience in a larger former Bethlehem Steel building in April 1997 and closed out its successful hosting of JASON Project broadcasts the following year. Its success encouraged Lehigh and its partners to open a small public visitor experience with limited hours called the SMART Discovery Center in April 1995 in a former Bethlehem Steel Corporation building in the city’s south side.
The renamed Discovery Center of Science and Technology opened an expanded visitor experience in a larger former Bethlehem Steel building in April 1997 and closed out its successful hosting of JASON Project broadcasts the following year.
Fall 1998 The Discovery Center holds its first after-school outreach programs for students in Bethlehem’s south side.
The SMART Center left Lehigh to become an independent non-profit in 1999.
2001 The Center announces completion of a three-year, $2.3 million campaign to expand its educational programs.
May 30, 2002 The Center announces an agreement with Cedar Crest College to construct a new facility on a three-acre tract of the college’s Allentown, Pa., campus and launches a campaign to support construction, exhibits, and programs.
July 8, 2003 The Discovery Center merges with Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse, Inc., (LDVHI) to form The Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science and Technology, Inc. – known popularly as the Da Vinci Science Center.
The current Science Center took shape in 2003 with the merger of the Discovery Center of Science and Technology and Leonardo da Vinci’s Horse, Inc.
9, 2004 The Center establishes its Da Vinci Teacher Leader Institute – a multi-year professional development program in science education, inquiry, and leadership for elementary-level educators.
March 3, 2005 Lin Erickson announces that she would step down as Center CEO shortly before her Mark Erickson, Ph.D., became President of Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.
June 11, 2005 The Center closes its exhibit floor in its former Bethlehem Steel building.
30, 2005 The Da Vinci Science Center is re-established with opening of its newest exhibit floor.
March 17, 2006 The Center reaches 1,000 household members for the first time in its history.
July 2007 The Center opens its first preschool exhibit area, the Little Learners Lab.
The festival builds upon a national movement begun in 2007 to hold community science festivals across the United States.
June 30, 2008 Frank Steslow announces his transition from the Da Vinci Science Center to become Chief Operating Officer of the Miami Science Museum in Miami, Fla.
March 30, 2009 Troy A. Thrash, a nationally-respected authority and advocate for scientific and technical workforce development, becomes the Center’s Executive Director and CEO; organization adopts an expanded focus on scientific and technical career development.
June 4, 2011 The Da Vinci Science Center opens its Summer of Manufacturing initiative, anchored by the popular How People Make Things exhibit.
15, 2012 The Center begins its Year of the Human Body initiative with St Luke’s University Health Network to highlight medical careers.
March 18, 2013 Lin Erickson begins a second tenure as the organization’s Executive Director and CEO. Her husband, Mark Erickson, Ph.D., has transitioned the previous year to become President of Northampton Community College.
5, 2013 The Center draws more than 1,000 paid visitors on a single day for the first time in its history as its hosts the Bodies Revealed exhibition and its Ice Cream Wars 5.0 competition.
2, 2013 The Center announces that Troy A. Thrash would transition to become President and CEO of the Air Zoo Museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Portage, Mich.
March 22, 2014 The renamed and re-introduced Lehigh Valley Science Festival engages more than 3,400 people as a free event at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
David Smith, Ph.D. – the Center’s Edward and Inez Donley Senior Director of Science and Strategy – was a 2014 recipient of the National Science Teachers Association’s (NSTA) national Distinguished Informal Science Educator Award.
The Da Vinci Science Center continues to gain momentum as it nears its 25th anniversary of ExSCIting Possibilities in 2017.
We're participating in the 2022 STEM for All Video Showcase! Check out our video, and cast your vote for the Public Choice Award! The showcase features over 250 short videos depicting innovative, federally funded projects aimed at improving Science, Technology, Math, Engineering and CS education.
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Da Vinci Science Center competitors
| Company name | Founded date | Revenue | Employee size | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnegie Science Center | - | $12.0M | 125 | 2 |
| Boonshoft Museum of Discovery | 1952 | $3.9M | 25 | - |
| Reading Public Museum | 1904 | $5.5M | 75 | - |
| Please Touch Museum | 1976 | $7.7M | 300 | - |
| South Florida Science Museum | 1959 | $4.7M | 40 | - |
| Allentown Art Museum | 1934 | $2.5M | 29 | - |
| Virginia Living Museum | 1964 | $4.6M | 89 | 1 |
| MOM | 1980 | $1.6M | 30 | - |
| Oceana | 2001 | $48.0M | 100 | 3 |
| North Point Ministries | - | $1.1M | 30 | - |
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Da Vinci Science Center may also be known as or be related to Da Vinci Science Center and THE DA VINCI DISCOVERY CENTER OF.