The City of Monroe is celebrating the first anniversary of the Monroe Science Center Honoring Dr. Christine Mann Darden on Thursday, January 11, 2024.
The Monroe Science Center provides a hands-on science and learning experience for children and adults alike, highlighting wonderful elements of agriculture, health care, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing that make Monroe and Union County so unique.
The Monroe Science Center, located at 318 E. Franklin Street across from the Union County Public Library, serves as a gateway to Downtown Monroe.
“Having this gem in our Downtown not only enhances the quality of life for our residents, it also serves as a draw and a destination for those visiting our great City,” said Pete Hovanec, the City of Monroe’s Communications and Tourism Director.
Over the past year, the Monroe Science Center has welcomed more than 18,000 guests and hosted more than 600 school children on field trips.
“I really enjoy hearing feedback from our guests,” said Lauren Fike, Monroe Science Center Supervisor. “Monroe residents are grateful to have this educational experience so close to home, and they love that it doesn't have to be a big production to come and visit.”
Fike says the draw of the Monroe Science Center was made clear over the Winter holidays when many guests brought out-of-town family members to visit.
“It was so fun to watch everyone proudly showing off what their City has to offer,” said Fike.
The Monroe Science Center has expanded its hours and program offerings since it opened on January 11, 2023, including story time, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) station, birthday parties, group visits, school trips, educator open houses, private events, and an upgraded sensory room.
“We strive to provide an inclusive educational opportunity for all kids and adults who visit our Science Center,” said Fike. “Everyone on our staff has the heart of a teacher, and they love to see the wonder and excitement when kids discover something new over the course of their visit.”
The Monroe Science Center has more than 30 interactive exhibits including a Bernoulli blower, water table, sand table, micro eye stations, ball wall, and paper airplane launcher, just to name a few. It also features a traveling exhibit hall which will allow the Center to regularly feature new and exciting educational experiences. The first exhibit was put together by the City of Monroe to feature the Monroe Science Center’s namesake: Dr. Christine Mann Darden.
Dr. Darden is internationally known for her research into supersonic aircraft noise, and recognized for her groundbreaking achievement as the first African American woman at NASA Langley to be appointed to the top management rank of Senior Executive Service. She was born in Monroe in 1942, and attended Winchester school before moving away to further her education.
“Dr. Darden is known for inspiring and educating generations of aerospace scientists and engineers. We’re thrilled to honor her legacy while educating the next generation of Monroe residents,” said Hovanec.
Looking forward, Fike says the Monroe Science Center is poised for growth and expansion which includes some potential new exhibits and additional programming for field trips and homeschool groups starting in the Spring. Fike says none of this would be possible without their amazing staff.
“Our staff members are the key to making a visit successful to guests, and I am so proud of the work they do. They go above and beyond to make each guest’s experience unique and special,” said Fike.
As part of the first anniversary celebration, admission to the Monroe Science Center will be free to all guests on Saturday, January 13.
“We are so excited to celebrate our one-year anniversary with the community who supported us throughout the process. This is our way of giving back to those who brought us to this point,” said Fike.
The Monroe Science Center will be enforcing building capacity on Saturday, so some guests may have to wait before entering.
The Monroe Science Center is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The last tickets are sold one hour before closing. For more information on hours and pricing, visit www.monroesciencecenter.com.
HISTORY OF THE MONROE SCIENCE CENTER
The Monroe Science Center had been an idea for many years, but it officially took flight when the Monroe Tourism Development Authority (TDA) determined that a hands-on learning facility would be an asset to City residents and serve to attract residents from surrounding counties.
In studying potential locations for a science center, the TDA and City determined that a place in the Downtown area would be best. The TDA purchased a 16,000-square-foot building at 318 E. Franklin Street, which previously served as a grocery store, restaurant, and nightclub.
The City also purchased two additional parcels near the Monroe Science Center to help create a gateway opportunity for the City and Downtown Monroe.
In 2018, the fundraising “Get Centered” campaign was launched raise $2.5 million private dollars to complete the funding of the Monroe Science Center and the Dowd Center Theatre.
The private funds raised were used to acquire the hands-on exhibits that fill the Monroe Science Center, and helped underwrite the first several years of programming at the Theatre.
In July 2021, City Council voted officially to change the name of the Monroe Science Center to the Monroe Science Center Honoring Dr. Christine Mann Darden.
On January 11, 2023, the Monroe Science Center officially opened its doors after nearly five years of planning, construction, and delays brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
