Dear Da Vinci Science Center Community:

We have been monitoring and following guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the coronavirus (causative agent of COVID-19). Yesterday, Governor Tom Wolf issued statewide guidance strongly encouraging the suspension of large gatherings, events, and conferences of 250 individuals or more and discouraged individuals from traveling to recreational activities. Based on this guidance, we have determined that it is in the best interest of our staff, volunteers, guests, and the public health at large that we close the Da Vinci Science Center to the public and cease all outreach activities from Saturday, March 14 through the end of the month.

Our Visitor Services and Education teams will be communicating with those who have booked school field trips, scout programs, STEAM Team outreach programs, after school programs, classroom visits, science celebrations, birthday parties, and any other reserved programs in an effort to reschedule or cancel these programs and events. Our team will be available by phone or email during this time to take reservations for programs in the future. We will extend all memberships by the amount of time that we are closed.

While this was a difficult decision, we believe it is the best course of action. Social distancing has proven to be one of the most, if not the most effective ways to slow and lessen the impact of a pandemic. This is a very challenging time for the Da Vinci Science Center and the community at large. However, curiosity never closes. Science and a scientifically literate society are humanity’s best hopes in addressing the coronavirus and other major threats. We will continue to ignite curiosity and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation and critical thinking.  

Our work is now more important than ever. If you agree, please consider donating now. Your support will help keep curiosity open and inspire and empower the problem solvers of tomorrow.  Donations received during this time period will provide scholarships to underserved students to participate in Science Center programs, including programs like Outbreak Alert!, a classroom program designed to inspire the scientists of the future by introducing students to the basics of how diseases spread, how to engineer an antiviral, and how to prevent an outbreak from becoming a pandemic. 

As of now, we plan to reopen the Science Center and restart our outreach programs in the community on April 1. We will continue to monitor the situation and rely on guidance from public officials and make further adjustments as necessary. We will contact those with reservations on or after April 1 to confirm plans. Please check our website for the latest information at davincisciencecenter.org.

We appreciate your continued support and wish you good health in the days ahead.

The team of staff and volunteers at the Da Vinci Science Center