Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts just celebrated their 20th anniversary.
For the past two decades, Whitaker Center has been serving children across Central P.A.
“The Whitaker Center is like the crowned jewel of downtown Harrisburg where we combine science, arts and performing arts,” said Whitaker Center Exhibits and Cinema Manager Joe Easton.
Kids’ camps, Girl Scout troops and school groups learn through the interactive kid’s place.
“The idea was to make it a city scape, how you would go through town. There is green space there is a learning tree and there is an ambulance,” said Easton.
Kids even get an early interest in STEM through their new STEM Design Studio.
“Our stem design studios are our two classrooms that open up right into the science center.. we’ve always had two classrooms but for the first time in our twenty years they are open to the science center as engaging hands on interactive activities to the patrons within the science center,” said Whitaker Center Director of Education, Jessica Rice.
Grants make it possible for kids of all socio-economic status to get STEM education.
“We have a P.N.C. grow up great grant as well as some grants through Stabler for girls in STEM that allow free or reduced admission for many of our programs that make our programs accessible for everyone in the region no matter their demographic or background and really lets us serve all of the Harrisburg community,” said Rice.
Whitaker Center also has a performing arts theater on site that you can take your child to a show or see the Pennsylvania Youth Ballet perform.