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| map_caption    = <small>Location of Liberty Science Center in New Jersey</small>
| map_caption    = <small>Location of Liberty Science Center in New Jersey</small>
| coordinates    = {{coord|40.708312|-74.054246|display=inline}}
| coordinates    = {{coord|40.708312|-74.054246|display=inline}}
| established    = January 24, 1993
| established    = 1993
| location        = [[Liberty State Park]], [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]], [[New Jersey]],  [[United States|US]]
| location        = [[Liberty State Park]], [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]], [[New Jersey]],  [[United States|US]]
| type            = [[Science museum]]
| type            = [[Science museum]]
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[[File:Hoberman_Sphere_at_Liberty_Science_Center,_2015.jpg|thumb|250px|Hoberman sphere at Liberty Science Center]]
[[File:Hoberman_Sphere_at_Liberty_Science_Center,_2015.jpg|thumb|250px|Hoberman sphere at Liberty Science Center]]
'''Liberty Science Center''' is an [[interactive]] [[science museum]] and learning center located in [[Liberty State Park]] in [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]], [[New Jersey]], United States. At its opening, it was the largest such planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the world's fourth largest.<ref name=NewYorkTimes>{{cite web|first=James|last=Barron|author-link=James Barron (journalist)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/nyregion/planetarium-opens-in-new-jersey-ushering-in-a-new-kind-of-star-wars.html|title=Planetarium Opens in New Jersey, Ushering in a New Kind of Star Wars|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|language=en|date=December 6, 2017|access-date= December 6, 2017|archive-date=December 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206222439/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/nyregion/planetarium-opens-in-new-jersey-ushering-in-a-new-kind-of-star-wars.html|quote=That may or may not explain the debut of the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the fourth largest in the world. It opens this week in Jersey City. The top scientist responsible for it, Paul Hoffman, the president and chief executive officer of the Liberty Science Center, boasted that it was so large that the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, the starry destination for generations of middle-school field trippers, would fit inside with room to spare.}}</ref>
'''Liberty Science Center (LSC)''' is an [[interactive]] [[science museum]] and learning center located in [[Liberty State Park]] in [[Jersey City, New Jersey|Jersey City]], [[New Jersey]], United States. At its opening, it was the largest such planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the world's fourth largest.<ref name=NewYorkTimes>{{cite web|first=James|last=Barron|author-link=James Barron (journalist)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/nyregion/planetarium-opens-in-new-jersey-ushering-in-a-new-kind-of-star-wars.html|title=Planetarium Opens in New Jersey, Ushering in a New Kind of Star Wars|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|language=en|date=December 6, 2017|access-date= December 6, 2017|archive-date=December 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206222439/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/06/nyregion/planetarium-opens-in-new-jersey-ushering-in-a-new-kind-of-star-wars.html|quote=That may or may not explain the debut of the largest planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the fourth largest in the world. It opens this week in Jersey City. The top scientist responsible for it, Paul Hoffman, the president and chief executive officer of the Liberty Science Center, boasted that it was so large that the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History in Manhattan, the starry destination for generations of middle-school field trippers, would fit inside with room to spare.}}</ref>


The center, which opened in 1993 as New Jersey's first major state science museum, has science exhibits, numerous educational resources, and the original ''[[Hoberman sphere]]'', a silver, computer-driven engineering artwork designed by [[Chuck Hoberman]].
The center, which opened in 1993 as New Jersey's first major state science museum, has science exhibits, numerous educational resources, and the original ''[[Hoberman sphere]]'', a silver, computer-driven engineering artwork designed by [[Chuck Hoberman]].
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In December 2017, the Science Center opened the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, a 400-seat facility with a dome {{convert|100|ft}} in diameter and an {{convert|89|ft|adj=on}} diameter screen, named for the benefactor who contributed $5 million towards the cost of construction. Larger than [[New York City]]'s [[Rose Center for Earth and Space#Hayden Planetarium|Hayden Planetarium]], at its opening, it was the largest such planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the world's fourth largest.<ref name=NewYorkTimes/>
In December 2017, the Science Center opened the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, a 400-seat facility with a dome {{convert|100|ft}} in diameter and an {{convert|89|ft|adj=on}} diameter screen, named for the benefactor who contributed $5 million towards the cost of construction. Larger than [[New York City]]'s [[Rose Center for Earth and Space#Hayden Planetarium|Hayden Planetarium]], at its opening, it was the largest such planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the world's fourth largest.<ref name=NewYorkTimes/>
In November 2025, the [[New Jersey Economic Development Authority]] awarded up to $39.8 million in [[Tax credit|tax credits]] over five years through its Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program. The project, known as Project Supernova, will include a major expansion to the museum and add several outdoor exhibits and amenities, including:<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fry |first=Chris |date=2025-11-19 |title=Major Expansion to Begin at Liberty Science Center in Jersey City |url=https://jerseydigs.com/liberty-science-center-expansion-jersey-city/ |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Jersey Digs |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Advance Local Express Desk |first= |date=2025-11-18 |title=Liberty Science Center’s huge expansion gets $40M boost from N.J. See project details. |url=https://www.nj.com/hudson/2025/11/liberty-science-centers-huge-expansion-gets-40m-boost-from-nj-see-project-details.html |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=nj |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-19 |title=State of New Jersey Pledges Support of Major $40 Million Expansion of Liberty Science Center |url=https://www.newjerseystage.com/articles/getarticle2.php?titlelink=state-of-new-jersey-pledges-support-of-major-40-million-expansion-of-liberty-science-center |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=NewJerseyStage.com |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Physics]]-themed [[Miniature golf|mini golf course]]
* Kids Corner, a playground with [[Goat|goats]] and a [[barn]]
* [[September 11 attacks|9/11]] memorial with two [[Beam (structure)|structural beams]] from the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]
* [[Otter|North America river otter]] indoor and outdoor habitat
* Replaces the Our Hudson Home exhibition with River Rising, a [[climate change]]-related exhibition about the [[Hudson River]]
* Relocating the traveling exhibition gallery from the fourth floor to a larger first-floor space to accommodate larger exhibition
* Upgrades to the Jennifer Chalsty [[Planetarium]]
* Expansion of the Wild About Animals habitat


==Exhibits==
==Exhibits==
[[File:Climbing course at Liberty Science Center.jpg|thumb|250px|The Infinity Climber climbing course]]
[[File:Climbing course at Liberty Science Center.jpg|thumb|250px|The Infinity Climber climbing course]]
Liberty Science Center's permanent exhibitions include:
Liberty Science Center's permanent exhibitions include:<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Exhibitions |url=https://lsc.org/explore/exhibitions |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Liberty Science Center |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Schedule & Map |url=https://lsc.org/visit/schedule-map |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Liberty Science Center |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Skyscraper! Achievement and Impact''' – Believed to be the most comprehensive exhibit on the topic of [[skyscrapers]], which includes large models of some of the world's tallest buildings and explanations of various aspects of their construction, such as the physics of elevator operation, and test chamber that vets the strength of materials used to the buildings.
 
* '''Eat and Be Eaten'''<ref>{{cite web | url = https://lsc.org/explore/exhibitions/eat-and-be-eaten | title = LSC: Eat and be eaten | accessdate= September 8, 2018}}</ref> – This exhibit of unusual live animals explores the [[predator]]-[[prey]] relationship, including  [[Viperidae|vipers]], [[puffer fish]], [[cotton-top tamarins]], brilliantly colored [[poison dart frogs]], [[eusocial]] [[naked mole-rats]]<ref>{{cite web | date= August 30, 2018 | url=https://lsc.org/news-and-social/news/naked-mole-rat-poop-may-have-brainwashing-abilities | title=Naked mole rat queens may control their subordinates via poop}}</ref> and fungus culturing, [[leaf cutter ants]].<ref>{{cite web  | title= Ants march into Liberty Science Center | date= September 6, 2015 | url=https://lsc.org/news-and-social/news/ants-march-into-liberty-science-center}}</ref>
=== 1st Floor ===
[[File:Beyond Rubik's Cube VIP opening at Liberty Science Center podium photo.JPG|thumb|275px|Liberty Science Center CEO, Paul Hoffman, speedcuber Anthony Brooks, Budapest inventor [[Ernő Rubik|Erno Rubik]], NJ Lt. Gov. [[Kim Guadagno]], US Senator [[Bob Menendez|Robert Menendez]], and Hungarian President [[János Áder|Janos Ader]] at the opening of the Beyond Rubik's Cube museum exhibition, April 25, 2014]]
 
* '''Communication''' is a 7,000-square-foot exhibit that explores human communication, which can be experienced by the visitor via mobile devices, multimedia, and touch, through speech, writing and symbols. The exhibit also explains how technology plays a role in modern forms of communication.<ref name=MacPherson/>
* '''Cosmic Portal''' – The main entrance hallway with [[audiovisual]] effects designed to [[Wormholes in fiction|replicate]] entering a [[wormhole]]
* '''[[Traveling exhibition]]s''' – Various temporary exhibits
* '''Hoberman Sphere''' – The second largest [[Hoberman sphere]] in the world, designed by [[Chuck Hoberman]] (2nd Floor)
** "Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lsc.org/lsc/ourexperiences/mammoths|title=Mammoths and Mastodons: Titans of the Ice Age|website=LSC.org|access-date=October 15, 2017|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110030636/https://www.lsc.org/lsc/ourexperiences/mammoths|archivedate=January 10, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> used video installations, hands-on interactive displays, life-sized models, and fossils to teach more about extinct mammals. The exhibit showcased [[Lyuba (mammoth)|Lyuba]], the world's best-preserved woolly mammoth specimen.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2009/04/21/2009-04-21_baby_mammoth_lyuba_pristinely_preserved_offers_scientists_rare_look_into_mysteri.html | location=New York | work=Daily News | title=Baby mammoth Lyuba, pristinely preserved, offers scientists rare look into mysteries of Ice Age | first=Olivia | last=Smith | date=April 21, 2009}}</ref>
 
** Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition featured over 100 authentic artifacts from the ''[[RMS Titanic|Titanic]]'', which were set within replicas of cabins and other areas of the ship. The exhibit also allowed visitors to touch an "iceberg" to simulate how cold the water was when the ship sank.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lsc.org/see-whats-happening/current-exhibitions-and-experiences/titanic-the-artifact-exhibition/|title=Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition|publisher=Liberty Science Center|df=mdy-all|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archivedate=September 12, 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912020315/https://lsc.org/see-whats-happening/current-exhibitions-and-experiences/titanic-the-artifact-exhibition/}}</ref>
=== 2nd Floor ===
** Rubik's Cube exhibition - Beyond Rubik's Cube opened to the public on April 26, 2014, and has toured other museums around the world. The exhibition celebrates the [[Rubik's Cube|Cube]]'s 40th anniversary and features artifacts and exhibits that trace the history of the Cube and mark the massive cultural influence it continues to have on popular culture today.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://brc.lsc.org/ |title=Beyond Rubik's Cube |publisher=Liberty Science Center |access-date=May 16, 2014 }}</ref>
 
* '''The Great Train Set''' – A 1:32 [[Scale model|scale]] [[Rail transport modelling|model train]] exhibit on the [[Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad|Lackawanna Railroad]] in the early 1950s, including a [[Point-of-view shot|POV]] projection from miniature cameras on the train
* '''Boom Time''' – An exhibit where objects such as [[Watermelon|watermelons]], [[Pumpkin|pumpkins]], and [[Bouncy ball|bouncy balls]] are [[Explosion|blown up]] with [[liquid nitrogen]]
* '''Science on a Sphere''' – An exhibit featuring the only official [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]] [[Science On a Sphere|Science on a Sphere]] in New Jersey
 
* '''Wobbly World''' – An exhibition for young children where they are invited to explore [[Balance (ability)|balance]], [[motion]], and [[Causality|cause and effect]]
* '''The Liberty Express''' – A miniature passenger train holding up to 16 people
 
=== 3rd Floor ===
 
* '''Wild About Animals''' – An animal exhibition of over 100 species, including [[Cotton-top tamarin|cotton-top tamarin monkeys]], [[Naked mole-rat|naked mole-rats]], [[Leafcutter ant|leafcutter ants]], and a [[piranha]] tank
* '''Microbe Rule!''' – An exhibition featuring [[microbial art]], a giant [[microscope]], and an interactive paint-your-own microbe art exhibit
** '''Making Mammoths''' – An exhibition on [[George Church (geneticist)|George Church]]'s Mammoth Revival Project, a project exploring a way to [[De-extinction|revive]] [[Woolly mammoth|wooly mammoths]] using [[CRISPR]] [[Genome editing|gene editing]] on [[Asian elephant|Asian elephants]]
* '''Dream Machine''' – A [[Sense|sensory]] adventure utilizing [[Bicycle pump|bicycle pumps]] to produce combinations of [[Color|colors]], [[Sound|sounds]], and [[Odor|scents]], each themed around [[Emotion|human emotions]]
* '''Bees to Bots''' – An exhibition dedicated to [[Honey bee|honey bees]], including a [[beehive]] and exhibits exploring [[Melittology|how scientists study bees]]
* '''Wonder Why''' – An exhibit intended to experience the "wonder and joy of science", including a [[rock climbing]] [[Climbing wall|wall]], a [[Fluorescence|fluorescent]] [[mineral]] display, and [[Optical illusion|optical illusions]]
* '''Joseph D. Williams 3D Science Theater''' – A [[3D film|3D]] theater featuring three shows, including a [[Tyrannosaurus|T. rex]] show, a show about [[Ocean|oceans]], and a [[Nikola Tesla]] [[Tesla coil|phaser]] show
* '''Touch Tunnel''' – An 80-foot, crawl-through, pitch-black tunnel
* '''Infinity Climber''' – A netted suspended climbing play structure
 
=== 4th Floor ===
 
* '''Universe Revealed''' – An exhibition on the [[James Webb Space Telescope]]
* '''Energy Quest''' – An interactive exhibition on [[energy]], including [[Plasma (physics)|plasma]], [[Hydrocarbon|hydrocarbons]], [[oil]], [[nuclear power]], and [[renewable energy]] such as [[Solar energy|solar]] and [[Wind power|wind]]
* '''Kitty Hawk Flyer''' – An all-electric [[V/STOL|VTOL]] named ''The Flyer'' from [[Kitty Hawk, North Carolina|Kitty Hawk]] where visitors can experience [[gliding]] over the water
* '''Pixel Art''' – A 952-dial [[pixel art]] wall where visitors can change the pixels to over 1,000 different [[Color|colors]]
* '''Brain Games''' – An interactive exhibit centered around [[critical thinking]], including [[Computer programming|coding]] a [[robot]] to create [[Platonic solid|platonic solids]] with [[Magnet|magnets]], create [[Pattern|patterns]] using [[foam]] blocks, solving [[Rubik's Cube|Rubik's cubes]], and more
* '''Our Hudson Home''' – An exhibit about the [[Hudson River]] (partially open for renovations, to be replaced with an exhibit called River Rising)
 
=== Outdoors ===
 
* '''Dino Dig Adventure''' – A 1,750 square foot outdoor exhibition with 60 tons of [[sand]], where visitors can [[Digging|dig]] for [[dinosaur]] [[Fossil|fossils]] (2nd Floor)
 
=== Temporary Exhibits ===
As of November 2025, Liberty Science Center's temporary exhibits include:<ref name=":0" />
* '''SUE The T. rex Experience''' – An exact replica of the [[Tyrannosaurus|T. rex]] [[Sue (dinosaur)|SUE's]] skeleton, including a multimedia [[simulation]] show (4th Floor)
* '''Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood''' – An exhibit about [[Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood]], as well as character [[Public relations|meet and greets]]
 
=== Educational Programs, Events, and Other Amenities ===
 
==== Educational ====
The museum offers various educational sessions for school-age students from [[PreK-12]] during [[Field trip|field trips]], featuring different educational sessions at various exhibits throughout the museum. The museum features the Center for Learning and Teaching, which contains laboratory workshops designed for student sessions. Other student sessions include the Maker & Tech studio focused around programming and tech, a live [[Surgery|surgical]] session, climate change programs, planetarium shows, a Science on a Sphere session, as well as additional early childhood programs. The museum also features stage shows for students grades PreK-8, which consists of live-action demonstrations. The museum also allows [[Homeschooling|homeschool]] [[Homeschool cooperative|co-ops]] and are able to bring lecturers to schools.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Field Trips |url=https://lsc.org/education/educators/field-trips |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Liberty Science Center |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Educators |url=https://lsc.org/education/educators |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Liberty Science Center |language=en}}</ref>
 
The Liberty Science Center also offers professional development sessions for [[Teacher|teachers]] and schools to learn more about [[Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics|STEM]] subjects.<ref name=":2" />
 
During the summer, Liberty Science Center offers the Partners in Science program, an 8-week summer high school STEM [[mentorship]] for rising [[Secondary school|high school]] juniors and seniors. There is also the Pathways to Partners in Science program, a two-week program intended for rising sophomores.<ref name=":2" />
 
==== Events ====
Liberty Science Center's "LSC After Dark" is an [[18 rating|18+]] event hosted on some Thursdays from 6-10PM. Each event features a different theme with a matching food menu, [[dance]] floor, live [[Disc jockey|DJ]], a full [[Bar (establishment)|bar]], and [[planetarium]] and [[Laser lighting display|laser shows]], as well as Space Talk sessions with guest astronomers in the planetarium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LSC After Dark |url=https://lsc.org/explore/lsc-after-dark |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Liberty Science Center |language=en}}</ref>
 
The museum offer Community Evenings, which consists of free visitations for parents and students from qualifying school districts, which largely consists of [[disadvantaged]] municipalities.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Families |url=https://lsc.org/education/families |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Liberty Science Center |language=en}}</ref>
 
The BASF's Kids' Lab is an interactive chemistry exhibit for children.<ref name=":3" />
 
During the summers, Liberty Science Center has a Science Camp, which consists of weekly multi-day events for children between grades 1-8.<ref name=":3" />
 
The museum offers [[Scouting|Scouts]] programming to help scouts earn badges, as well as special scout-only sessions periodically throughout the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Groups & Scouts |url=https://lsc.org/education/groups-and-scouts |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Liberty Science Center |language=en}}</ref>
 
==== Other Amenities ====
In the [[Lobby (room)|lobby]], there is a [[first aid]] and [[Help desk|information desk]], the [[box office]], [[Locker|lockers]], and the [[gift shop]]. On the second floor, dining options include the Cosmic Cafe, a [[cafeteria]] open to the general public, Galaxy Grab and Go, a [[vending machine]] room, and a group dining room for organized groups.<ref name=":1" />


==Jennifer Chalsty Center for Science Learning and Teaching==
==Jennifer Chalsty Center for Science Learning and Teaching==
In July 2007,  the Jennifer Chalsty Center for Science Learning and Teaching opened.  It is a {{convert|20000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility extending over the entire former ''Invention Floor'' of Liberty Science Center, with six laboratories, a 150-seat theater, and other resources for teachers and students. Educators can upgrade science teaching skills and find peers to help strengthen science instruction in the classroom, while students can participate in intense, multi-day or single-hour programs to ignite interest and skills in science exploration.<ref>Osowski, Jeffrey. "Enliven the art of teaching science", [[New Jersey Education Association]] ''Review'', February 2006.</ref>
In July 2007,  the Jennifer Chalsty Center for Science Learning and Teaching opened.  It is a {{convert|20000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} facility extending over the entire former ''Invention Floor'' of Liberty Science Center, with six laboratories, a 150-seat theater, and other resources for teachers and students. Educators can upgrade science teaching skills and find peers to help strengthen science instruction in the classroom, while students can participate in intense, multi-day or single-hour programs to ignite interest and skills in science exploration.<ref>Osowski, Jeffrey. "Enliven the art of teaching science", [[New Jersey Education Association]] ''Review'', February 2006.</ref>
Planetarium shows include:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Planetarium |url=https://lsc.org/explore/planetarium |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Liberty Science Center |language=en}}</ref>
* '''Tonight's Sky Live''' – A show featuring live space imagery
* '''Journey to the Planets''' – A show featuring planets of the [[Solar System]]
* '''Space Trip''' – A semi-fictional show featuring things from riding a [[roller coaster]] on [[Mars]] all the way to exploring the [[Shape of the universe|edge of the universe]]
* '''Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity''' – A show about [[Black hole|black holes]], as well as traveling to one at the center of the [[Milky Way]]
* '''One World, Big Sky: Big Bird's Adventure''' – A [[Sesame Street]] themed show featuring [[Elmo]] and [[Big Bird]], where they teach about the [[Big Dipper]], the [[Polaris|North Star]], and the [[Sun]] and the [[Moon]].
* '''Guest Talk''' – Guest [[astronomer]] talks occurring during LSC After Dark events


==Genius Award and Gallery==
==Genius Award and Gallery==

Latest revision as of 08:02, 20 November 2025

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File:Hoberman Sphere at Liberty Science Center, 2015.jpg
Hoberman sphere at Liberty Science Center

Liberty Science Center (LSC) is an interactive science museum and learning center located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey, United States. At its opening, it was the largest such planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the world's fourth largest.[1]

The center, which opened in 1993 as New Jersey's first major state science museum, has science exhibits, numerous educational resources, and the original Hoberman sphere, a silver, computer-driven engineering artwork designed by Chuck Hoberman.

History

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Liberty Science Center completed a 22-month, $109 million expansion and renewal project on July 19, 2007.[2] The expansion added Script error: No such module "convert". to the facility, bringing it to nearly Script error: No such module "convert"..[3]

In December 2017, the Science Center opened the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, a 400-seat facility with a dome Script error: No such module "convert". in diameter and an Script error: No such module "convert". diameter screen, named for the benefactor who contributed $5 million towards the cost of construction. Larger than New York City's Hayden Planetarium, at its opening, it was the largest such planetarium in the Western Hemisphere and the world's fourth largest.[1]

In November 2025, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority awarded up to $39.8 million in tax credits over five years through its Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program. The project, known as Project Supernova, will include a major expansion to the museum and add several outdoor exhibits and amenities, including:[4][5][6]

Exhibits

File:Climbing course at Liberty Science Center.jpg
The Infinity Climber climbing course

Liberty Science Center's permanent exhibitions include:[7][8]

1st Floor

2nd Floor

  • Wobbly World – An exhibition for young children where they are invited to explore balance, motion, and cause and effect
  • The Liberty Express – A miniature passenger train holding up to 16 people

3rd Floor

4th Floor

Outdoors

  • Dino Dig Adventure – A 1,750 square foot outdoor exhibition with 60 tons of sand, where visitors can dig for dinosaur fossils (2nd Floor)

Temporary Exhibits

As of November 2025, Liberty Science Center's temporary exhibits include:[7]

Educational Programs, Events, and Other Amenities

Educational

The museum offers various educational sessions for school-age students from PreK-12 during field trips, featuring different educational sessions at various exhibits throughout the museum. The museum features the Center for Learning and Teaching, which contains laboratory workshops designed for student sessions. Other student sessions include the Maker & Tech studio focused around programming and tech, a live surgical session, climate change programs, planetarium shows, a Science on a Sphere session, as well as additional early childhood programs. The museum also features stage shows for students grades PreK-8, which consists of live-action demonstrations. The museum also allows homeschool co-ops and are able to bring lecturers to schools.[9][10]

The Liberty Science Center also offers professional development sessions for teachers and schools to learn more about STEM subjects.[10]

During the summer, Liberty Science Center offers the Partners in Science program, an 8-week summer high school STEM mentorship for rising high school juniors and seniors. There is also the Pathways to Partners in Science program, a two-week program intended for rising sophomores.[10]

Events

Liberty Science Center's "LSC After Dark" is an 18+ event hosted on some Thursdays from 6-10PM. Each event features a different theme with a matching food menu, dance floor, live DJ, a full bar, and planetarium and laser shows, as well as Space Talk sessions with guest astronomers in the planetarium.[11]

The museum offer Community Evenings, which consists of free visitations for parents and students from qualifying school districts, which largely consists of disadvantaged municipalities.[12]

The BASF's Kids' Lab is an interactive chemistry exhibit for children.[12]

During the summers, Liberty Science Center has a Science Camp, which consists of weekly multi-day events for children between grades 1-8.[12]

The museum offers Scouts programming to help scouts earn badges, as well as special scout-only sessions periodically throughout the year.[13]

Other Amenities

In the lobby, there is a first aid and information desk, the box office, lockers, and the gift shop. On the second floor, dining options include the Cosmic Cafe, a cafeteria open to the general public, Galaxy Grab and Go, a vending machine room, and a group dining room for organized groups.[8]

Jennifer Chalsty Center for Science Learning and Teaching

In July 2007, the Jennifer Chalsty Center for Science Learning and Teaching opened. It is a Script error: No such module "convert". facility extending over the entire former Invention Floor of Liberty Science Center, with six laboratories, a 150-seat theater, and other resources for teachers and students. Educators can upgrade science teaching skills and find peers to help strengthen science instruction in the classroom, while students can participate in intense, multi-day or single-hour programs to ignite interest and skills in science exploration.[14]

Planetarium shows include:[15]

  • Tonight's Sky Live – A show featuring live space imagery
  • Journey to the Planets – A show featuring planets of the Solar System
  • Space Trip – A semi-fictional show featuring things from riding a roller coaster on Mars all the way to exploring the edge of the universe
  • Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity – A show about black holes, as well as traveling to one at the center of the Milky Way
  • One World, Big Sky: Big Bird's Adventure – A Sesame Street themed show featuring Elmo and Big Bird, where they teach about the Big Dipper, the North Star, and the Sun and the Moon.
  • Guest Talk – Guest astronomer talks occurring during LSC After Dark events

Genius Award and Gallery

The LSC hosts an annual Gala and Genius Award as well as Genius Gallery, a permanent, interactive display.[16]Template:Primary source inline The full list of awardees: 2011: Jane Goodall; 2012: Temple Grandin, Ernő Rubik, Oliver Sacks; 2013: Sir Richard Branson, Garry Kasparov, Cori Bargmann; 2014: Dean Kamen, Sylvia A. Earle, J. Craig Venter; 2015: Jeff Bezos, Vint Cerf, Jill Tarter; 2016: Frank Gehry, Jack Horner, Ellen Langer, Kip Thorne; 2017: Katherine Johnson, Ray Kurzweil, Marc Raibert (and SpotMini); 2018: Vitalik Buterin, George M. Church, Laurie Santos, Sara Seager; 2019: Chris Messina, Sally Shaywitz and Bennett Shaywitz, Martine Rothblatt, Karlie Kloss; 2020: Moshe Safdie, Jennifer A. Lewis, William Conan Davis.[16]Template:Primary source inline

Sci Tech Scity proposal

In 2019 LSC was in negotiation with Jersey City to receive for a nominal fee city-owned land (a former car pound) which would be developed as an educational and residential area called Sci Tech Scity.[17][18][19] Phase one of the project is scheduled to open in late 2023 and into early 2024.[20]

References

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  1. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Kitta MacPherson. "Innovation & Inspiration", The Star-Ledger, October 4, 2006.
  3. ↑ Liberty Science Center Expansion Project Template:Webarchive, accessed January 30, 2007
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Osowski, Jeffrey. "Enliven the art of teaching science", New Jersey Education Association Review, February 2006.
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Further reading

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External links

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