Fleet Science Center events and attractions include both permanent exhibits and a rotating event. Each exhibit has to do with an interesting branch of science, as well as the discoveries and breakthroughs that scientists have made that influence the way we learn about these topics today.
On top of the exhibits in the museum, the planetarium and IMAX theater are crucial parts of the Fleet Science Center experience as well. They run educational shows throughout the day.
With so many different science exhibits, you might be unsure what you should prioritize. Here’s a guide that will help you plan your path through the museum.
Space Gallery
The Fleet Science Center includes many different exhibits that bring the magic of outer space right down to Earth. In the Space Gallery, you’ll take a look at the different inventions and advancements in science that make space exploration possible, as well as the skills astronauts and researchers need to explore the stars.
Inside the Space Gallery is the Pulseworks VR Transporter, which provides a fun virtual reality experience where you can journey to the moon and the cosmos without ever leaving the ground. It also contains the Sun, Earth, Universe exhibit, which is full of information about NASA’s scientific explorations of the universe and the questions about space these explorations attempt to answer.
Illusions
Illusions are tricks of the mind meant to make us see something that isn’t really there. With illusions, a completely still image might appear to be moving, and you can start seeing the same image as two completely different things.
The Fleet Science Center’s Illusions exhibit explores these mind-bending illusions and explains what makes them work. The exhibit contains dozens of different illusions that will excite and surprise you.
Renewable Energy Education
The museum includes plenty of information on various renewable, planet-friendly energy resources. These exhibits show the ways that everyday parts of our homes like water and electricity get to us and what it takes to provide these resources.
In the It’s Electric exhibit, visitors learn about different scientific advancements involving electricity. Interactive stations include information about the science behind batteries, electric charges, and magnetic fields. The centerpiece of the exhibit, the Tesla Coil, is the first system for wirelessly transmitting electricity ever invented.
For a look at how we use electricity as a power source, stop by the So Watt! exhibit. Here, you’ll take a look at energy production, alternative energy sources like solar panels, and ways to get involved in conservation. You can learn more about the San Diego power grid and how it functions in the Power Play exhibit.
Water is another resource in our homes, as well as a potential source of renewable energy. We take the water running from our sink for granted, but so much goes into the process that we don’t see. In the San Diego’s Water exhibit, you’ll discover what it takes to get water to all the homes of San Diego, as well as information about water conservation and preservation.
IMAX Dome Theater
IMAX movie screenings are located in the dome theater. In the dome, visitors can watch screenings of scientific movies that delight and intrigue, encouraging a strong interest in science at any age.
The dome theater has more than enough space for visitors. It includes hundreds of seats, each newly renovated to ensure you have a comfortable experience. Don’t worry about getting a bad seat; with the 76-foot, eight story tall screen and the 16,000 watt digital surround sound, there isn’t a bad seat in the house!
The shows and any IMAX film featured in the IMAX dome theater will be educational and family-friendly. They explore various scientific topics like conservation, invention, and discovery. To learn which movies are currently playing and what showtimes are available, visit the official site.
Planetarium
The Fleet Science Center also includes a large planetarium, where you can enjoy an educational stargazing trip. The planetarium has a wide dome ceiling upon which images of constellations and distant planets are projected.
The planetarium features a number of rotating live shows. One of the most popular is the monthly show The Sky Tonight, which is a tour through the solar system guided and narrated by a real professional astronomer. Other shows include information on various aspects of the solar system like stars, comets, asteroids, and different galaxies.