Daniel Kamin first visited the then, Carnegie Science Center at age 13. Interested in the cosmos he built a telescope at the Buhl Planetarium there. He still remembers looking up at the stars and wondering what lies beyond our sight. He credits that telescope for creating his lifelong passion for science and discovery.

“Science sparked my curiosity as a child, and it continues to inspire me today,” Kamin said in a news release.

Daniel Kamin, a Pittsburgh real estate developer, recently donated $65 million to the organization. This is the largest gift the museum has seen in its 130-year history. Over 75% of the science center will see changes in the next two years including nine new exhibits and experiences. The new name, the Kamin Science Center, is named after Daniel and his wife Carole.

“Carole and I hope this gift will provide families with a similar sense of possibility and wonder that I felt during my many visits to the Buhl Planetarium,” Kamin said.

The husband and wife made the donation to educate and inspire future generations, according to a press release. Carole Kamin said that the pair had been planning to make the donation for years.

“This is something we have dreamed of doing, and we waited for the stars to align,” Carole
Kamin said.

Although the Science Center is getting a new name, the mission stays the same. Jason Brown, director of Kamin Science Center and vice president of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, said Kamin’s curiosity of the universe is the embodiment of the organization.

“The mission of this organization is to connect people in science, igniting curiosity that will last a lifetime,” Brown said.

Although this redesign is a multi-year project, visitors can already see the first wave of changes.

The large sign that reads “Carnegie Science Center” has been replaced by one that says “Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center.” The fire truck red lettering has been replaced by a blue shade called lunar ice, a nod to Daniel Kamin’s love for space.

The new changes also include a pollinator-friendly entrance garden and a new way-finding system to help navigate the building. The main lobby has been redesigned with a 25-foot digital media wall and on display is Chip Ganassi’s Racing IndyCar – a sneak peak of the upcoming Science of Speed experience.

The Science of Speed experience is currently under construction and will make its debut next summer. The former SportsWorks building will be changed into an experience devoted to the world’s fastest race cars. Visitors will be able to race in the two-story electric cart track, grab a bite to eat in the racing-themed lounge and restaurant and explore modern and vintage high-performance
vehicles.

Before that development, the Sports360 exhibition will be opening in December. The soon-to-be largest exhibition will mix the enjoyment of sports with science. The dozens of interactive activities will use new technology to explore reaction-time, biomechanics, balance and technique.

After the opening of those two exhibitions, the next two years will see other meaningful changes.

The Building Futures exhibition will teach youth about high demand jobs that don’t require the traditional college pathway.

“As students move away from four-year colleges, we want to make sure that we continue to provide inspiration for them as well,” Brown said.

The Responsive Science display will highlight the impacts of climate change in Southwestern Pennsylvania and how to build a resilient Pittsburgh.

The Early Learners space will be specifically designed to foster curiosity and discovery for the
youngest museum goers.

“[It is] meant to truly embody our mission for the next generation by igniting their curiosity for our youngest visitors,” Brown said.

At the opening press event, Brown expressed gratitude for the Kamin’s donation, recognizing the impact it will have on Pittsburgh.

“Normally, a museum like ours does one new exhibition every two-and-half to three years. But as you’re about to hear today, we plan to launch nine new exhibitions in the next 27 months, less than two and half years,” Brown said. “I realized that if it was not for the Kamin family, we would be in a very different position. This is allowing us to become the Science Center that we have wanted to be for years.”

Charlotte Shields-Rossi can be reached at cshieldsrossi@duq.edu