Donna Zitterbart

Review of Carnegie Science Center

Okay, I'm going to be the realist or bad guy, whic...

Okay, I'm going to be the realist or bad guy, whichever you prefer. This is the worst excuse for a science center I've been to. Ones I've been decades ago were more interesting than this as well as others around the country. I expected more from Carnegie. Our daughter is homeschooled and we went on the premise of this being a highly educational experience. At the age of 10 it fell flat. She is studying a Unit on Space Science and except for replicas and some relics it was a waste of time. We went to a Plantarium show and although I understand liberal society accepts evolution, which I had to learn in public school, it was so incredibly over bloated with evolution that there wasn't anything remotely interesting. Robert Redford lended a great narrative voice but the content was grossly inflated and we honestly laughed at the amount of propaganda. My husband said, "the graphics were excellent and that's about it." There was no center line of accepted facts between evolution theory and creationism where they talked about how the earth rotates, revolves, the constellations, the galaxy in which we live. There are simple accepted facts on both sides, none of which were addressed, accept maybe the point that we live on earth, there is a moon, there are meteors and we have an atmosphere. It was not a planetarium show with the name of stars and constellations. Even though the description said that would be covered. The other displays were mediocre at best. She tried to engage but it just wasn't interesting. There wasn't any purpose. The preserved specimens were not labeled in a manner that was understood easily or even legibily at times. Instructions were vague at best at most interactive stations. I see a lot of positive reviews but question why. The H2O area smelled like mold and we wouldn't let her in the water. You didn't even have to go in the room to smell the mustiness. Several of the robotic interactive displays were broken it not labeled as such. Upon looking inside it was understandable as to why. The Rx robot needed restocked. The X-ray screen was corny and the robots were just not interesting. I was just so disappointed. Honestly, the whole thing was pop science, not meaty. It was almost, should I use the word, stupid.
Maybe my expectations are high because we frequent Smithsonian museums in D.C. and are used to that level of quality. Carnegie is a waste of money. We did not watch IMAX because none of the shows were interesting enough to do so nor did we visit the SportsPlex. We wanted an engaging and instructional science experience. Do not go if that is your desire. Yes, there are play areas. My husband likened it to a semi educational SeaBase that is near us in Greensburg with arcades. Our daughter simply agreed it was nice we got to spend time together but was underwhelmed. She said, "I like Washington, D.C. a lot better." The train display was probably the best part but not labeled nearly as well as Phipps.
That is my two sense, especially for any homeschool families who are looking for an educational experience. Don't waste your money. We are members of Phipps. That is money well spent. We always learn there and my daughter has been able to point out a Slipper Orchid on a local advertisement since going there. Each time she learns something new.
Carnegie Science Center is a lot of money for nonsense. They are under construction. Maybe improvements will follow.