Remember SciTrek? Mention the Science and Technology Museum of Atlanta to someone who grew up here and watch their face light up. Officially named the Science & Technology Museum of Atlanta, this museum was designed specifically for kids. It was an interactive playground for the curious. It operated from 1988 to 2004. Today’s kids have options. They have the Children’s Museum of Atlanta and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Still, none quite capture the awesomeness of SciTrek.
SciTrek began thanks to Mary O’Connor and Sue Trotter. They wanted a science museum for Atlanta. SciTrek incorporated in 1982. It received funding from the Metropolitan Foundation. The city of Atlanta and the Robert W. Woodruff Foundation offered support too. The museum opened on October 29, 1988. It was located in a 96,000-square-foot facility. This was next to the Atlanta Civic Center.
SciTrek started as Atlanta’s premier hands-on science museum for kids. Its annual budget was $2.5 million. The museum had 34 staff members and 150 volunteers. It quickly became a beloved institution. During its three-day grand opening, SciTrek welcomed 11,000 visitors. By the end of its first full year, the museum had 350,000 guests. Organizers estimated attendance would reach 1 million.
In 1991, SciTrek had more than 750,000 visitors. Most were schoolchildren. Good Housekeeping magazine named SciTrek one of the country’s 10 best science museums. This was in October 2001. At its peak, SciTrek featured over 140 exhibits. They were designed for all ages. Guests explored the wonders of science. They made fascinating discoveries.
Exhibits captured the essence of STEM fields. Complex concepts became accessible, engaging, and fun. The Weather Machine simulated thunderstorms and tornadoes. The Electrostatic Generator made your hair stand on end. The Shadow Wall let children freeze their shadows. Kids’ Space Place introduced preschoolers to science.
The museum featured the Challenger Learning Center. This was a $1.7 million model of a NASA space shuttle mission. It opened in January 2003. SciTrek faced financial difficulties. By January 2001, it was in crisis. The museum had a deficit for three years. It reached $700,000 for fiscal year 2000. The board granted a 90-day reprieve. The State of Georgia contributed an additional $300,000. The Georgia Assembly allocated $425,000. A capital fundraising campaign aimed to raise $5 million. In June 2003, the Georgia Department of Education reduced funding by 10 percent.
The museum closed on August 27, 2004. On January 15, 2005, all exhibits were sold or auctioned. The Challenger Learning Center went to the Fernbank Science Center. Portions of the building became a charter school. It was called Tech High. SciTrek left a lasting impact on Atlanta. Visitors credited SciTrek with sparking their passion for science. The museum inspired scientists, engineers, and inventors.