History & General Overview

A SUCCESSFUL BEGINNING
In its early beginnings in the late 1980s, Sci-Port provided the public with educational exhibits and programs in local bank lobbies and area malls.  These major learning experiences included the Gateway to China and Dinomation Dinosaurs exhibitions, summer day camps along Shreveport-Bossier's downtown riverfront and programs at Louisiana State University Shreveport.  These beginning efforts introduced the community to the fun, enlightening programs that a permanent science center would provide to the region. 

INTERIM SITE
In 1994, a 5,000 square-foot interim site for the science center opened in downtown Shreveport, making year-round learning opportunities a reality.  The Junior League of Shreveport, the National Science Foundation, the City of Shreveport, the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, community residents and other organizations provided initial funding to launch the site.  Over 300,000 people experienced science first hand through the site's 3 1/2 years of outreach programs and exhibits on sports, insects, weather, electricity and more.

PERMANENT FACILITY
The success of the interim site lent momentum to plans for the development of a permanent, 67,000 square-foot science center on the downtown riverfront.  The current facility opened to the public on November 21, 1998, and featured over 200 interactive science exhibits and programs in six Discovery Galleries, an IMAX Dome Theatre, a demonstration theater, nationally touring exhibitions, a cafe and gift shop.  The $21 million dollar construction project was made possible through broad public and private support, including $16 million from the State of Louisiana and the City of Shreveport and $5 million in contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations.

BEYOND SCI-PORT
In 2003, the center created one-of-a-kind portable science and math outreach programs that would travel to other destinations.  The Science Carnival Outreach, comprised of forty hands-on exhibits in two separate math and science content offerings - Gee Whiz! and Space Journeys - could serve up to 250 students per visit.  In a school year, the traveling exhibits have delivered Sci-Port's informal education mission to over 20,000 students, many of which were Title 1 schools or underserved rural areas.

UNIVERSAL LEAP
The Universe became in view with a 25,000 square foot Space Center expansion which opened November 18, 2006.  The $11.6 million Space Center included 60 astronomy and space science exhibits, 30 applied mathematics exhibits, the world's first open-access, interactive, laser Space Dome Planetarium and many new programs and experiences.  Support for the project came from many sources including $1 million from Dayna & Ronald L. Sawyer, Government support through the City of Shreveport, State of Louisiana and NASA, as well as gifts of support from philanthropic foundations, businesses, individuals, the Sci-Port staff and the Shreveport/Bossier community at large.

DAY-TO-DAY DISCOVERIES
Since opening the permanent site, Sci-Port's programs have served over 2 million people from throughout the United States.  Today, Sci-Port actively engages people of all ages to explore the worlds of science, space science, technology and math through school and public workshops, teacher development workshops, camp-ins, birthday party programs, after-hours events, guest program presenters and summer camps.  In addition, Sci-Port offers regularly changing IMAX films, exhibitions and public events.