Science Central began in 1987 as a nonprofit founded by educators, families, engineers, and community leaders who shared a vision for a hands-on science center in Northeast Indiana. While working toward that goal, they launched engaging science programs in schools and public spaces, reaching tens of thousands of participants early on and growing a strong volunteer base. That vision became reality in 1995 when Science Central opened as Indiana’s first hands-on science center. Today, we continue to inspire curiosity through interactive learning experiences, impacting more than 140,000 individuals each year and over 3.2 million visitors since opening.
Our mission is guided by a strong set of values: we prioritize education by fostering understanding of the world around us, collaborate with community partners to strengthen our region, and champion inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility so everyone can see themselves in science. We also believe learning should be fun and engaging, creating hands-on, interactive experiences that spark curiosity and support all learning styles.