Fernbank Science Center
The Fernbank Science Center Atlanta GA was established to promote understanding of the world around us through the application of science and engineering principles. The facility has many exhibits and educational materials for visitors to view, including a collection of tektites, an aeronautics education laboratory, an electron microscope lab, an authentic Apollo spacecraft from the unmanned Apollo 6 Saturn V test flight, and a 70-foot projection dome planetarium.
The Fernbank Science Center has several free, interactive exhibits, including a 9,000-square-foot exhibit hall, a 500-seat planetarium, an observatory, two electron microscopes, a library, a distance learning studio, and 65 acres of forest. Fernbank Science Center Atlanta GA is open to the public, and admission is free. The center has a special education center, a distance learning studio, and a museum of natural history.
The Fernbank Observatory is another popular exhibit at Fernbank. It offers public night sky viewing when the weather permits. Learn more about Fernbank here. The viewing begins around nine p.m. and typically concludes at about 10:30 p.m. There’s usually an astronomer on hand to help position the telescope and answer questions. This museum has one of the largest telescopes in the southeastern United States. During your visit to the Fernbank Observatory, be sure to plan ahead for this show!
The Fernbank Science Center is located in a suburban area of Atlanta, near Decatur. The center is home to the largest planetarium in the country and many exhibits and displays about science. Admission is free, although public planetarium shows cost $4 for adults and $3 for children. The Fernbank Science Center Atlanta GA is a great place for families with children, and those looking for a fun family day out. The admission fee is only $3 for adults, and is free for members of the DeKalb County school system.
The Fernbank LINKS robotics team also competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition. The team competed in two regional competitions and won awards. This robotics team has also qualified for the South’s FIRST Regional Championship in Auburn, Alabama. In 2015, Fernbank LINKS hosted the Georgia BEST hub and twelve teams competed. Two teams qualified for the championship, and LINKS plans to expand the hub to include twenty-four teams.
The Atlanta Museum of History also offers free admission to visitors, and the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum has loaned a command module from the Apollo 6 mission. More about Atlanta here. The museum also features many unusual animals, such as poison dart frogs, turtles, and spiders. Visitors should also check out the photography exhibit. The photographs show the world under a high-powered microscope. The photographs showcase the diversity of life in our fragile ecosystem.