Does anybody know if any upgrades have begun at the Science Museum? It was discussed a while back that a $30 million makeover was going to happen but I haven't heard much about that since.107.7 The Franchise

They've finished the new entrance and the exterior.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/science1.jpg

This place really is great. Growing up in Houston we didn't have a museum like this that was so interactive for kids. We love taking out daughter here.

Now if only the adjacent zoo parking lot will get spruced up. That's a really rough-looking space. Almost looks abandoned, and it's their *only* parking (other than the overflow across the street at Remington).

Now if only the adjacent zoo parking lot will get spruced up. That's a really rough-looking space. Almost looks abandoned, and it's their *only* parking (other than the overflow across the street at Remington).

They've developed plans to redo that lot.

I have the plans somewhere I'll try to find and post.

Here you go.

Looks like a total re-do:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking.jpg


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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/zooparking4.jpg

Good to hear! It's really kind of shocking to see how that lot looks, considering how well they've treated the inside. Thanks for posting the plans.

They must have been saving their pennies for the total re-do.

Not sure of the timing but I pulled those several months ago.

Very nice. Overall the Zoo is pretty well taken care of. This is something that's needed to take it to the next level.

The Zoo is really pretty amazing. When I take out of towers I like to give them the "time travel" tour. Enter and take them left through the bird area, then the aquarium, then the rhino and island life area as part of the "old sad zoo", then hit the children's zoo, the Oklahoma trails, the great escape and the big cats, and then the elephants while reminding them of the old rhino building as their old home.

They have done a lot of great work over the past decades.

As a reminder, the zoo gets 1/8 of a penny in sales tax for every dollar spent in OKC.

We, the citizens and frequent visitors, are funding all those improvements to the tune of about $12 million per year.

Otherwise, the zoo operates at about a $5 million annual deficit.


I think most people tend to forget this.

Didn't they recently build that elephant bit of the zoo? At least it was new to me.

I work for the zoo (but I'll be moving on soon) and they plan on starting construction this fall. They've been talking about this for at least a year and were waiting for the busy season to be over before they started. Should begin any time now

That project bids in a couple weeks, already advertised for bids

I'm assuming they have completely abandoned use of the Omnidome at the Science Museum? We've been a couple times in the last year or two and the area is always blocked off and now I can't even find a mention of the movies on the website. What a shame as it was a nice true IMAX like experience even if it only showed science documentaries.

I'm assuming they have completely abandoned use of the Omnidome at the Science Museum? We've been a couple times in the last year or two and the area is always blocked off and now I can't even find a mention of the movies on the website. What a shame as it was a nice true IMAX like experience even if it only showed science documentaries.

The Omnidome closed about a year or so ago. Not enough people would go there to watch science documentaries for it to be profitable. It's unfortunate that its closed but I guess that's a sign of the times. Today, if people want to see something on IMAX they can go to the Warren and see a first-run film or if they want to see a science documentary, they have hundreds to choose from on Netflix. That didn't exist when the theater opened in 2000.

They still have a 70mm true IMAX projector wasting away. I think if they wanted to, they could show first-run films and it would be a major success. Cinema nerds will travel hundreds of miles to see movies on a true 70mm IMAX.

Couldn't they contract out the operation of it? IMO it seems like it would benefit them to partner with their adventure district neighbors to have Tinseltown operate it as "Cinemark Tinseltown at SMO" or something.... that vendor could then show other films that aren't just science, with some proceeds going to science programs.

Couldn't they contract out the operation of it? IMO it seems like it would benefit them to partner with their adventure district neighbors to have Tinseltown operate it as "Cinemark Tinseltown at SMO" or something.... that vendor could then show other films that aren't just science, with some proceeds going to science programs.

This is a great idea.

Even though the 70 mm IMAX projector was unique and cool, it was too costly to maintain. They could get some use out of the dome if they converted it to digital. It seems like a waste for a dome structure to just sit there though.

I kind of wonder if the long term plans is to turn it into a new planetarium.

I would think they could at least sell the 70mm IMAX projector. It'd be nice if a local cinema had a true 70mm film IMAX. I think all the ones around here are digital. People will drive to Dallas just to see a film in true 70mm film IMAX.

Went to the SMO today with my daughter and noticed the restaurant (Pavlov's Grill) had a new menu. I asked what changed and apparently the company that runs the dining changed. So, instead of just hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs and chicken fingers, they now have a much wider selection that includes flatbread pizzas. I got the bruschetta pizza and it was really good. Much better than anything I have eaten there in the past. We used to always bring food for the family while we were there, but now, it makes more sense to eat at Pavlov's Grill.

Went to the SMO today with my daughter and noticed the restaurant (Pavlov's Grill) had a new menu. I asked what changed and apparently the company that runs the dining changed. So, instead of just hamburgers, hot dogs, corn dogs and chicken fingers, they now have a much wider selection that includes flatbread pizzas. I got the bruschetta pizza and it was really good. Much better than anything I have eaten there in the past. We used to always bring food for the family while we were there, but now, it makes more sense to eat at Pavlov's Grill.
Would you say Pavlov's Grill is mouth watering?

Would you say Pavlov's Grill is mouth watering?

never been but the name rings a bell...

http://31.media.tumblr.com/9e3cdfff6a2f6142776ac5990e34a07c/tumblr_mzfzovjvhs1sqcegeo3_250.gif

Augmented reality app gets a test at Science Museum Oklahoma

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record January 22, 2018

OKLAHOMA CITY – Science Museum Oklahoma patrons got to try new technology thanks to a pop-up exhibit.

ReLiveIt’s augmented reality application lets people see animations around an object, such as the full body of a rabbit around a rabbit’s skull.

ReLiveIt was one of four businesses to come out of summer 2017’s Sooner Launch Pad program. In the last several months, the company has been able to raise an additional $13,000. CEO Ben Campbell said he and Chief Operating Officer Michael Thomas used that money to buy artifacts and then build out the pop-up exhibit at the science museum.

With the app, every artifact the company owns has content that goes with it, such as a launching rocket, or a flying plane next to an aviation suit. They set up their items in the science museum, and then people were given an iPad, which interacted with the icon next to the item. The interaction created an image on the screen, but it seemed like it was actually happening.

Campbell said about 2,000 people came through and used three iPads that were fitted with the app. Another nearly 700 people downloaded the program themselves.

People who used the app were given a survey afterward. The reviews were positive across the board and even better after the app was updated.

“What was most encouraging was having kids say this was the coolest thing they had ever seen,” said Campbell. “We had multiple people come back to try it, such as parents who wanted to use it without their kids, or grandparents who brought back a different set of grandchildren.”

Science Museum Oklahoma Communications Director Lindsay Thomas said ReLiveIt’s app served a dual purpose: It made the museum experience better and used science to do it.

“Coding is such a big deal for kids,” she said. “Being able to present a child with this kind of technology was a special opportunity for us. You never know what will get them started on their career path.”

On ReLiveIt’s survey, more than 60 percent of people said they have not used augmented reality technology previously.

ReLiveIt set up the pop-up museum from Dec. 18 to Jan. 15. During the winter people often visit the science museum because it’s too cold to go outside, Thomas said. But it isn’t cost-efficient for the museum to constantly update its exhibits. Thomas said the museum was in between renovations of two areas, with one being completed and another one in progress.

“Having this come in between those two updates was unique for our guests,” she said. “This is a different way to interact with an artifact or object that meets the needs of our guests.”

For ReLiveIt, the pop-up museum gave them their first data point for how interested people are in using the technology. On the survey, Michael Thomas said people were asked how much they would pay for the app, and the average price was $5.53.

Thomas said he and Campbell have heard from other entities interested in using the technology, including the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation, which would like to use it along Route 66.

“We’re interested in staying in the museum industry, but we’re also looking at other avenues, such as sports tickets,” he said.

The Science Museum is trying to raise money to convert old omnidome into planetarium.

https://newsok.com/article/5629452/bill-nye-the-science-guy-coming-to-science-museum-oklahoma

The Science Museum is trying to raise money to convert old omnidome into planetarium.

https://newsok.com/article/5629452/bill-nye-the-science-guy-coming-to-science-museum-oklahoma

While I'd much rather it be something than nothing, I wish they could reopen the IMAX. A new planetarium is probably the next best thing.

While I'd much rather it be something than nothing, I wish they could reopen the IMAX. A new planetarium is probably the next best thing.

Agreed. Although they did just spend a chunk of money redoing the existing planetarium, and they did a very good job. Although those of us with motion sickness didn't experience it in the old stuff and DEFINITELY experience it now. Whew!

My only issue is that they need a wider variety of shows. It seems like even when the schedule says its supposed to be one show, we still end up watching the same "journey through the solar system", which is just updated from the old planetarium. There's SOOOOO much more you could do with that room.

For the omnidome, i'd really like to see that convert to digital and re-open as the theater again. And if they want to keep it financially sustainable, the digital is going to help. Throw in a regular movie from time to time. They could do throwback movies like old SciFi (im sure the copyright could be worked out since its a non-profit). It's been such a shame having it vacant. And what a waste of money!

Weird question I don't think I've ever seen anything about, but figure someone on here might know. Why are the metal fin/mullion covers on the outside of the building just on random ones (at least on the side facing MLK Ave)? I think the ones on the front are on every one, but can't remember, and no idea about the other two sides, just looks odd.

Weird question I don't think I've ever seen anything about, but figure someone on here might know. Why are the metal fin/mullion covers on the outside of the building just on random ones (at least on the side facing MLK Ave)? I think the ones on the front are on every one, but can't remember, and no idea about the other two sides, just looks odd.

Two reasons - one is that it is meant to create a transition from the existing solid walls to the new glass entry so that a modern new entry does not look abruptly placed in an existing wall while creating a build up of visual energy as you get closer to the entrance. The second is budget. These were added toward the end of the project due to excess funds, but there wasn't enough to money to cover the entire building. Rather than suddenly stopping the fins, they fade out in a gradient.

I took this a couple of weeks ago:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sciencemuseum110819a.jpg

Two reasons - one is that it is meant to create a transition from the existing solid walls to the new glass entry so that a modern new entry does not look abruptly placed in an existing wall while creating a build up of visual energy as you get closer to the entrance. The second is budget. These were added toward the end of the project due to excess funds, but there wasn't enough to money to cover the entire building. Rather than suddenly stopping the fins, they fade out in a gradient.

Interesting, thanks for the info, suspected budget was part of it. :) Just wish they faded in a true gradient (skip one, then skip two, then three, etc. or something similar) instead of being kind of random (I'll have to look more closely next time I'm by there to see if there is an actual pattern).

SMO approved for PPP (not a judgement, just an FYI).

16231

Went today and noticed a large area dug out. I asked the manager and he said it will be a large science artwork installation. Smith and pickel is the GC. Not sure what it will look like, but glad they are putting it here for an update.

From Smith & Pickel:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sciencemuseum091020a.jpg

Pete, in your picture there looks to be glass panels behind the steel work, are those windows or just decorative panels?

Pete, in your picture there looks to be glass panels behind the steel work, are those windows or just decorative panels?

They are glass. Added as part of the big renovation of a few years ago.

New $8 million planetarium coming to Science Museum Oklahoma

Plans have been filed by Science Museum Oklahoma for a new $8 million state-of-the-art planetarium.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/planetarium110222b.jpg


The new facility will be located in the shuttered space formerly known as the Omnidome at the east end of the complex.

The museum has been in the process of raising funds through the One Great Leap initiative.

Upon completion of the new planetarium and surrounding astronomy wing, the museum says it will be among the best equipped in the world. It will replace the existing planetarium.

With digital technology paired with extensive databases, educators can quickly field visitor requests and expand the museum's capacity to present real-time educational opportunities.

The museum is located at 2020 Remington Place next to the Oklahoma City Zoo.



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great news and long overdue

This is good news!

I went to the Science Museum recently for the first time since I was a kid in the 90s. And I was shocked at how many of the exhibits from then are still the exact same. I was re-unlocking core memories that I had not thought of in almost 3 decades.

There was so much interactive stuff broken. Old CRT televisions on exhibits that didn't work or had terrible color. The place needs a wealthy philanthropist badly.

This is good news!

I went to the Science Museum recently for the first time since I was a kid in the 90s. And I was shocked at how many of the exhibits from then are still the exact same. I was re-unlocking core memories that I had not thought of in almost 3 decades.

There was so much interactive stuff broken. Old CRT televisions on exhibits that didn't work or had terrible color. The place needs a wealthy philanthropist badly.

Totally agree with everything here. I used to volunteer at the Science Museum (Omniplex back then) about 40+ years ago, sat outside the old planetarium doors to make sure nobody snuck in, got to watch the star shows for free, carry snakes around, do all kinds of cool stuff. Maybe the new planetarium can do laser shows again, bet the tech advances of decades have made them pretty cool by now (assuming they still exist), wife has never been to one.

To echo Anon’s experience, I went in 2020 when I moved back from Portland and having spent the last few years regularly going to OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) it was very much like entering a time capsule. I’m all for anything that injects new blood into it.

High-quality planetariums are big draws and revenue generators.

I'm sure that is why they are focusing on this as a priority. Hopefully it will lead to more visitors, income and donations.

SMO is a very high quality children's museum. It will be great to have the new planetarium reactivate the east portion of the building. There are a few outdated exhibits, but most of the museum is current.

I haven't been to SMO since it with the Omniplex and I was in school. I remember thinking it was the coolest thing in the world, especially the clear climbing gym and the planetarium. I recently visited the Hayden Planetarium in NYC and thought it would be amazing if we could get something like that in OKC, so this news makes me really excited, especially for my daughter who will get to experience it.

Can someone remind me what currently occupies the east portion?

^

It used to be the Omnidome but it's been closed for a while.

SMO is one of the absolute best children’s museums in the country. That’s pretty much the universal opinion of every parent I know. Excited about this upgrade!

For those saying most parents agree that SMO is one of the highest quality and up-to-date children museums in the country, are you referring to designated areas like CurioCity, KidSpace, etc? My son was only a few months old the last time I went so we didn’t spend any time in those areas except briefly walking near them while deciding if we should leave or continue exploring, which is hardly enough to get an impression of them.

For those saying most parents agree that SMO is one of the highest quality and up-to-date children museums in the country, are you referring to designated areas like CurioCity, KidSpace, etc? My son was only a few months old the last time I went so we didn’t spend any time in those areas except briefly walking near them while deciding if we should leave or continue exploring, which is hardly enough to get an impression of them.

I assume these areas are what parents are loving, as last time we went, summer of 2021, it was my first time seeing these new areas and I was blown away as an adult. I look forward to the east end getting some love, but I selfishly miss the old omnidome, I remember when it opened. I believe I spent 5 or 6 birthdays going to the omnidome. I vividly remember the film on Everest and the feeling of watching an avalanche coming at you in the curved IMAX screen was amazing. Too bad it was built at the end of the analog film IMAX technology and there was not enough money or will to upgrade to digital IMAX. But I loved the curved screen and the seating arrangement, hopefully the new planetarium will have the same feeling.

Yes, CurioCity specifically is amazing. Any kid between about 18 months and 8-10 years old would have a great time in there. As your kids get older, there are maker spaces with guided projects, large scale games (Battleship is a favorite of our family), and lots of open ended play opportunities throughout SMO. It is our go-to indoor activity in town with our now school age kid, and has been a favorite since toddlerhood. We visit similar facilities when traveling, but SMO is overall more engaging than anywhere else we have visited. The Perot Center in Dallas is beautiful, and if I could walk through it as an adult by myself, I would enjoy it more than SMO, but for kids under 10 or 12, there is not as much to do as there was at the old Science Place at Fair Park in Dallas that merged into the Perot Center about 15 years ago.

Again - I'm super excited for the new planetarium. That east end of the museum has felt sad for too long, and it will be really nice to get it reactivated like the rest of the building. If you can't tell, I've had a lot of really good times here with my kid. It's a special place.

Thanks for those responses! Now that my son is about two years older we’ll have to visit again and see what all we missed out on the first time!

I’ve been to several natural history oriented science museums (Perot Museum is one) and my interest in science has always most closely aligned with observational science over experimental science - though experimental is fascinating to follow - so that very likely plays a role into my view of SMO, which isn’t a negative view at all, just wish it had more. I’m quite sure though that I’ll become more fond of the experimental and hands-on style of discovery having a young son that is (too) quickly coming into his own with discovering the world around him.

I'm super excited about the planetarium change. I get motion sickness, so sometimes i had to look down even in the old room but if i sit at the top of the projection booth in the Dome, then i dont have issues.

What i'm not looking forward to is not being able to just walk in line and watch as many shows as I want in a day. I fully expect that we'll have to start buying tickets specifically for the planetarium. That nickel and dime pricing for different parts of museums always chaps my butt. Fingers are crossed that this doesn't happen here, but i'm almost certain we'll have to start paying. The bummer here is that it will automatically reduce attenedence. Sure, it will be high at first. But just like the Dome before, it will taper off as people are less interested in spending the money on it.

I'm super excited about the planetarium change. I get motion sickness, so sometimes i had to look down even in the old room but if i sit at the top of the projection booth in the Dome, then i dont have issues.

What i'm not looking forward to is not being able to just walk in line and watch as many shows as I want in a day. I fully expect that we'll have to start buying tickets specifically for the planetarium. That nickel and dime pricing for different parts of museums always chaps my butt. Fingers are crossed that this doesn't happen here, but i'm almost certain we'll have to start paying. The bummer here is that it will automatically reduce attenedence. Sure, it will be high at first. But just like the Dome before, it will taper off as people are less interested in spending the money on it.

Maybe they can do after hours ticketing From 5:30 to 9?

Went to SMO yesterday and the Midwest wrecking crews were there. The entrances into the Omnidome was blocked off on both levels with three foot by three foot plexiglass openings so you could look in and see what they were doing.

I talked to someone there a few months ago and they said it was going to be completely torn down and a new one built in its place. They said there is too much mold, rodents and everything else to be able to renovate it. It's just easier to tear it down and start from scratch.

Wow, what a waste. All that money that went in to the building, and now it's just going to be torn out. Years of neglect. We could have had a campaign to ask for money to convert to digital IMAX, but didn't. And now here we are. I'm still mixed on the planetarium because I know it wont be as accessible as it is now, financially (ie, pay an extra ticket), so it will be less attended, and then we'll be in danger of losing a planetarium at all as ticket sales dwindle after such a large other project. I really hope I'm wrong here, but we'll come back in 10 years and see.

Wow, what a waste. All that money that went in to the building, and now it's just going to be torn out. Years of neglect. We could have had a campaign to ask for money to convert to digital IMAX, but didn't. And now here we are. I'm still mixed on the planetarium because I know it wont be as accessible as it is now, financially (ie, pay an extra ticket), so it will be less attended, and then we'll be in danger of losing a planetarium at all as ticket sales dwindle after such a large other project. I really hope I'm wrong here, but we'll come back in 10 years and see.

The new planetarium is going to be light years ahead of the old in terms of technology and design, so I'm not worried that an extra ticket will be required, if that is in fact the plan. An extra ticket is standard in other cities that have these advanced planetariums and they do quite well.

That building isn't that old. I remember when it was being built.

The 'shell' is probably being reused and the planetarium is being built within that shell. Otherwise I don't see how they build a full building for just 8 million dollars. I think of it as kind of like an AMC theater remodel: everything is being gutted and replaced with new. I mean even if they did take care of the interior, I don't see a 15+ year old auditorium being reused.

That is sad, I loved the Omnidome concept and I only assume I was one of the few actually gutted about its closing.

Looking at the plans posted on the last page, the actual planetarium uses the second floor of the existing building and the bottom floor is astronomy related exhibits which is a plus.