Science Central held a press conference today to kick-off construction of the new Science On a Sphere exhibit. The launch occurs on Earth Day, a fitting day to launch construction of a new exhibit that will help teach about the Earth.

Science on a Sphere is a dynamic, animated global display system developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It uses computers and video projectors to show planetary data on a 6-foot diameter sphere. It was developed by NOAA researchers initially as a research tool, and ultimately as an educational tool to illustrate science to people of all ages.

To the naked eye, the Sphere actually appears to be floating and rotating in mid-air, just like a real planet. It will be a “must see” exhibit at Science Central, illustrating earth, space and social sciences. It will also provide a real-time imagery such as satellite, buoy and sensing station links to global weather, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other activities occurring on Earth, as well as NASA images of the planets and moons of our solar system.

The kick-off featured Fort Wayne Mayor Tom Henry, Parkview Health President and CEO Mike Packnett, and Indiana and Michigan/AEP President Paul Chodak, in addition to Science Central Executive Director Martin Fisher.

Mayor Henry and Packnett served on the capital fundraising committee for the new exhibit, along with Science Central Board member Andrew Ables from Omnisource. I&M/AEP donated $500,000 towards the project.

The Science on a Sphere project is the first new major exhibition space added to Science Central since the center opened in 1995. It is the culmination of a $1.5 million capital campaign, funded by many community foundations and corporate sponsors. The new exhibit space will be built in the unused portion of Science Central, tapping into 35,000-square-feet of space. The project is anticipated to be completed in July. The Science Central Science on a Sphere will be the first in Indiana, and one of only 80 in the world.

Source: Science Central, Inside INdiana Business