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Directions and maps | Hours and rates



Click the PDFs below for full instructions on Summer of the Scientist!

Summer of the Scientist Instructions/Information on Summer of the Scientist pdf (28k)

Instructions for Summer of the Scientist: Benjamin Franklin Instructions for the first week of Summer of the Scientist. pdf (132k)

Instructions for Summer of the Scientist Week Two Instructions for Summer of the Scientist Week 2: Marie Curie pdf (150k)

Instructions for Summer of the Scientist: Alexander Graham Bell Instructions for Summer of the Scientist: Alexander Graham Bell pdf (206k)

Instructions for Summer of the Scientist: Leonardo da Vinci Instructions for Summer of the Scientist: Leonardo da Vinci pdf (203k)

Instructions for Summer of the Scientist: Thomas Edison Instructions for Summer of the Scientist Week 5: Thomas Edison pdf (158k)

NEW Live Science Shows Daily!
Please check the schedules located in the Science Center for shows of the day.

It’s Not Magic, It’s Science
See our amazing magic tricks and then be awed as we explain the science behind them. 

A Hair-Raising Good Time (ONLY offered in the Winter Months)
Explore the science behind electricity as you witness the Van de Graaff generator. 

Bed of Nails 
Learn how weight distribution can keep you out of harm’s way. 



The Science of Nothing 
Experience Galileo, air pressure and a vacuum chamber. 

Crime Scene Science
Explore the study of fingerprinting and how it is beneficial in Crime Scene Investigation. 


Reptile Rapture
Meet our resident reptiles and learn about their habitats. 




Bubblemania
Playing with bubbles is an old pastime. Come see our modern take on the science of bubbles. 

Inside the Vortex
Thunder, Lightning and Tornadoes, Oh My! Meteorology can be exciting. 

Snot and Vomit
See some cool and gross bodily science. 

Germs, Beware!
Good germs, bad germs, germs are everywhere. Learn the science of germ control. 

May the Force Be with You!
Newton’s three laws of motion can be entertaining as well as educational. 

The Final Frontier
Explore the solar system in this interactive demonstration. 

Dyno-mite
Meet Stan, our resident T-Rex and learn about dinosaurs who roamed this area long ago. 

First Free Friday
Join us at the Pavilion from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month for FREE admission to the Kirby Science Discovery Center.

About the Discovery Center

The Kirby Science Discovery Center is the premier regional hands-on science experience! Fly the space shuttle, dig up a dinosaur or touch a tornado in our three floors of adventure. 

2nd Floor Galleries
Air and Space
Launch a working hot air balloon, fly the space shuttle, wear a space suit and more! And now try these exciting new exhibits: navigate a Mars Rover, fly the virtual hang glider, master the Hover Race tilty table, see how sci-fi sometimes affects science fact and more! Learn more here.

Big Sioux River Banks
Children 6 and younger can play in the flowing stream with dams, boats and waterwheels or pretend to be pioneer storekeepers or Native American farmers. Kids can also take a trip through our indoor slide as they learn about the weather water cycle.

3rd Floor Galleries
Light, Sound Action!
Freeze your shadow. Play with lasers. Bend light and generate electricity!

Nature Works
How do owls hear, bats navigate or insects hear? Find out in Nature Works interactive and live animal exhibits including a live, working beehive and animals native to this area.

Dynamic Earth
Touch a tornado, meet "Stan" our 40-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex replica, excavate dinosaur bones and see how earthquakes shake buildings.

The Stairway of Sound is a fun, interactive exhibit featuring a different sound for 21 steps on the south stairway connecting 3rd and 4th floor. Which sounds can you identify? Pavilion staff worked with SDSU engineering students to develop this unique exhibit.

4th Floor Galleries
Imagination Studio
Create your own animated video, stand in front of the playmotion screen and play pool by moving your body, fold a paper origami frog, or dance on our giant floor piano.

Starting Line: Fit For Life
Try out the wheel chair racers or go virtual biking through the rolling hills, challenge yourself to scale our horizontal rock wall or test how high you can jump and how fast your reflexes are.

Roll It, Rev It: The Physics of Motion
Build and race LEGO cars, create and watch high speed films, or learn about simple machines and gears by interacting with our ball machine and gear wall.


Pavilion Discovery Store
Take your memories home with you! Visit the Discovery Store for great gifts, science related toys and Washington Pavilion souvenirs. Admission is not required to visit the Pavilion Discovery Store.

Wells Fargo CineDome Theater
The Wells Fargo CineDome Theater at the Kirby Science Discovery Center features large-format science adventure on our giant 60-foot domed screen. 


Group Discounts, programs and services are available.
Visit our Group Visits and Classes and Camps pages for more information.


The Washington Pavilion of Arts and Science is a member of the Association of Science-Technology Centers. Washington Pavilion members can visit other ASTC facilities free of charge (some exceptions or fees may apply).  Find a list of current participants.

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CLICK ON STAN TO BECOME HIS FRIEND ON FACEBOOK.

HE'LL UPDATE YOU ON EVENTS GOING ON IN THE KSDC AS WELL AND OFFERING A DAILY DOSE OF SCIENCE TRIVIA.

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