The Museum of Science, Boston is preparing to launch a major renovation project that will see the transformation of its Cahners Theater into a new space known as the Public Science Common. The 10,000-square-foot renovation will establish the central hub for the museum’s three new Centers for Public Science Learning: the Center for Life Sciences, the Center for the Environment, and the Center for Space Sciences.
Todd Sperry, chief marketing officer at the Museum of Science, described the current Cahners Theater space as a brick building with no windows that has served them well. The new space will feature shimmering glass floor-to-ceiling walls with 270-degree views of the Charles River and Boston and Cambridge. The Public Science Common will be able to accommodate up to 700 people and will offer stunning views of the Charles River through three glass walls.
The space will be equipped with flexible multimedia technology to host a variety of events including robotics competitions, lecture series, school trips, dance performances, and theatre shows. Museum President Tim Ritchie expressed enthusiasm for the project stating that it would lead the world in engaging with science in a new and exciting way. Funding for this renovation comes from a generous donation by Bloomberg Philanthropies. However, although they have not disclosed an exact cost yet, they anticipate opening this cutting-edge public science center by 2026.
