AN overhaul of the Bendigo Discovery Science and Technology Centre has been written in the stars.<\/p>\n
The State Government has given Discovery $250,000 to upgrade its planetarium, enabling visitors to explore the skies above and more.<\/p>\n
General manager of Discovery, Alissa Van Soest, said the project will involve moving the old planetarium dome to the front of the building.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to double the capacity so all those people who\u2019ve missed out on planetarium shows before, it\u2019s not going to happen anymore,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have loads more room, experiences, different sorts of planetarium shows available to people.\u201d<\/p>\n
The location of the old dome will become the new maker\u2019s space, giving schools and children more room to interact with science and technology.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be a flexible space where people are creative, critical thinkers and where ideas collide. It\u2019s basically the first step in our redevelopment,\u201d Ms Van Soest said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDiscovery\u2019s been here for 26 years now, and we think our regional schools deserve just as much if not more than their urban counterparts in terms of great experiences and memorable experiences.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy changing up the planetarium, we\u2019re hoping to be able to draw in more people, fit more schools in because it is one of our biggest limiting factors when schools come to visit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Van Soest said planetariums aren\u2019t just about the stars anymore, and an upgraded space will mean Discovery has access to hundreds of shows and immersive experiences, such as exploring the human body and oceans.<\/p>\n
There could also be opportunities beyond science, with similar spaces around Victoria hosting movie nights and being used for music videos.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be a space for hire where we can celebrate not just science but culture,\u201d Ms Van Soest said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can have more experiences reflecting what\u2019s going on around us. People can come into here and it\u2019s not just about their creativity, but it\u2019s about theirs.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is hoped construction will be completed by June next year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
AN overhaul of the Bendigo Discovery Science and Technology Centre has been written in the stars. The State Government has given Discovery $250,000 to upgrade its planetarium, enabling visitors to explore the skies above and more. General manager of Discovery, Alissa Van Soest, said the project will involve moving the old planetarium dome to the […]<\/p>\n