The Arizona Science Center will open to the public June 20 with a phased-in approach limiting the number of guests at any one time by hosting themed, one-of-a-kind, small-group Guided Experiences.
Guided Experiences will serve as the Center’s primary offering until it is appropriate and advisable to fully reopen with self-guided visits. Experiences will be timed, groups will be limited to a maximum of 20 and overall attendance will be significantly restricted, to fewer than 5% of the Center’s total building capacity.
Admission to the Dorrance Planetarium, Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater and the extended run of the “Victoria the T. rex” exhibition will be limited to people participating in Guided Experiences.
The Center will be closed on Tuesdays, to allow for deep cleaning.
“The phased approach will allow us to prioritize health and safety while taking progressive steps to restore regular operations,” said Chevy Humphrey, The Hazel A. Hare President and CEO, Arizona Science Center, in a statement.
Arizona Science Center members can sign up for Guided Experiences starting as soon as Saturday, June 13.
Each Guided Experience will feature an immersive theme based on content that has proven to be most popular with the Center’s guests. First to launch will be:
- “Yuck: The Science of Gross”
- “T. rex Unearthed: The Story of Victoria” (and yes, she’s been hanging out at the Center throughout the lockdown)
- Stellar Space Science,” and
- “Extra-Ordinary: The Science of Superpowers”
Each Experience will feature what Center staff are calling a “wow” factor, ranging from hands-on dissection to an in-depth visit and discussion of Victoria the T. rex.
New procedures for entry
Strict health and safety guidelines for all visitors and team members will be enforced. All team members will wear masks/face coverings while on the job. Guests age 2 and older also will be required to wear masks. Frequent hand washing will be encouraged, and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the Center. For optimal social distancing, guests are asked to arrive no less than 15 minutes and no more than 30 minutes before their scheduled Guided Experience. No food or beverages other than water are allowed in the Science Center. No food or beverages are available for purchase during this initial phase of the reopening.
Health and safety guidelines are available on the Center’s website and will be shared with all visitors upon arrival at the Science Center. Signage throughout the Science Center will remind visitors and employees to follow the CDC’s physical distancing and hygiene guidance.
“Arizona Science Center’s mission directs us to educate our community on how to prepare, manage, and adapt to life through science. That means that, for now, we are responsible for helping the community live safely and productively with COVID-19. It is important for us to model safe behavior for our community,” said Humphrey. “As a science learning institution that exists to inspire our community to embrace science, we’ve looked to science and data to guide and inform our decisions.”
The plan was developed to be compliant with the City of Phoenix, Maricopa County, State of Arizona, and U.S. laws and regulations, and is in line with guidance provided by Arizona Department of Health Services, Maricopa County Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control. The Center is actively monitoring the situation and will modify this plan as appropriate and advisable.
If you go
Tours start at 9 a.m. with the last tour scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Ticket prices are $38.95, $31.95 for children ages 3-17. For more information visit azscience.org.
