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The Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium, located in Alton Baker Park in Eugene, Oregon, United States, is a science and technology center for children, families, and school groups. The museum near Autzen Stadium features changing interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, camp programs, special events and other science and technology-related education programs. The Science Factory is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization governed by a 13-member volunteer board of directors. The Science Factory's mission is: "To engage, excite and inspire children for a lifetime love of learning about science, technology and humanity." == History == The Science Factory was founded in 1961 as the Southwest Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (SWOMSI). SWOMSI received initial support from its parent organization, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) of Portland, but soon after became an independent museum with a board of directors composed primarily of local educators.〔Salvia, Vanessa (Winter 2008-09). "Engage, Excite, Inspire." ''Eugene Magazine''. Retrieved 2009-11-16.〕 SWOMSI first occupied the Oregon Electric Railway Station, currently the Oregon Electric Station restaurant, located at 5th Avenue and Willamette Street. During its early years in the Oregon Electric Railway Station, SWOMSI offered exhibits and classes and ran planetarium shows in the Spitz Planetarium, a facility operated by OMSI.〔"Organizational History". Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium website. Retrieved 2009-11-25.〕 In 1973, finding the railroad station inadequate and the Spitz Planetarium nearing the end of its useful life, SWOMSI's Board of Directors approached the Lane County Commissioners to ask for space in the newly created Alton Baker Park. Following a break from OMSI, SWOMSI became the Willamette Science and Technology Center (WISTEC). Major funding for the new museum was obtained under the Economic Development Administration and each of the consortium members (Lane Community College, Lane Education Service District, University of Oregon, and WISTEC) contributed substantially to the project, financially and through in-kind services. At that time, the Oregon Electric Railway Station was sold and $50,000 in WISTEC funds were put into construction of the present building in Alton Baker Park.〔 From 1978-79 the WISTEC building and the new planetarium was constructed. When the City of Eugene took control of most of Alton Baker Park in the mid-1980s, it also took ownership of the WISTEC building. WISTEC opened at its present location in 1980. The planetarium was at that time functionally and financially separate from the museum.〔 The planetarium eventually became the sole responsibility of the Lane Education Service District and was closed in December 2002, after a funding crisis.〔 In January 2002, WISTEC changed its name to The Science Factory and with the transfer of the planetarium to Science Factory ownership in 2003, it became the Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium, generally still referred to as the Science Factory.〔Bolt, Greg (2002-6-24). "WISTEC now Science Factory". ''The Register Guard.'' Retrieved 2009-12-14.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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