Science Learning Center
A state-of-the-art, 120,000 square foot facility, the new L.S and Aline W. Skaggs Science Learning Center will include a five-story Asian Cloud Forest Habitat & Endangered Species Conservation Center, interactive science stations and exhibits, high-tech laboratories and classrooms, a Science Entrepreneur Incubator, conference and banquet spaces, and more.
The Science Learning Center will be a community resource that benefits K-12 and university students, as well as Aquarium members and guests. Advanced classrooms and laboratories will provide innovative resources, helping students learn about multiple scientific fields and pursue careers in marine biology, ecology, genetics, biology, chemistry, and more.
This multi-functional building will be built adjacent to the Rio Tinto Kennecott Plaza on the east side, and it will complete the Science Learning Campus. The architecture is designed to imitate the beautiful landscape of the nearby mountains.
Asian Cloud Forest and Species Survival Center
The crown jewel of the Science Learning Center will be a five-story Asian Cloud Forest habitat. This beautiful habitat will showcase rare and endangered Asian animals, including a pair of Clouded leopards. The quarter-acre conservatory will also be home to Asian small-clawed otters, Binturongs, and various species of Asian birds, reptiles, and fish, and will serve as the hub of the Aquarium’s participation in Species Survival Plan breeding programs in partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
The Cloud Forest habitat will include:
- A multi-story experience with access to exhibits on the forest floor, mid-story, and canopy areas
- A breeding center for Clouded leopards, Asian small-clawed otters, and other animals in the AZA Species Survival Plan program
- Homes for future species including Komodo dragons, cloud forest birds, and giant Asian fish
- State-of-the-art animal care labs and nurseries
Interactive Science Stations and Science Entrepreneur Incubator
Interactive Science Stations
Guests to the Science Learning Center will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics through thematically-linked, hands-on experiences.
Interactive exhibit clusters will include:
- Plate tectonics and formation of geological features
- Ocean currents and weather patterns
- Recycled material sculpture creation
- Animal care and conservation
- Weather and climate
Science Entrepreneur Incubator
The Aquarium and Campus will further its commitment to a sustainable future by offering an entrepreneur incubator office space within the Science Learning Center. This space will be open to local startups and nonprofits with a focus on sustainable technology, conservation, and science research and development.
New Classrooms and High Tech Laboratories
New Classrooms
Offering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-focused programming for K-12 and university students as well as lifelong learners, the Science Learning Center’s classrooms will be captivating, habitat-themed spaces including rainforests, tide pools, and an Antarctic research station.
High-Tech Laboratories
Equipped with cutting-edge technology suitable for use by local research institutions, the new high-tech labs are designed for high school and university-level courses in marine biology, chemistry, genetics, and oceanography and will increase the Aquarium’s educational reach to hundreds of thousands of students.
Banquet and Conference Center
The Science Learning Campus will feature a unique banquet and conference center. This incredible facility will support animal care, conservation efforts, and operational costs and allow the Science Learning Campus and Aquarium to continue running without an operational subsidy.
Conference space features:
- Grand ballroom with space for up to 1,000 seated guests featuring a private viewing window into the Asian Cloud Forest Gallery
- Flexible configurations to accommodate everything from large banquets to small breakout sessions
- On-site catering featuring a sustainable menu with locally-sourced ingredients
- Full access to indoor and outdoor exhibits
Help us create the Science Learning Campus by purchasing a personalized brick or plaque! Your commemorative brick will be installed in the pathway in front of the EECO (Ecosystem Exploration Craft & Observatory) stage. The plaques are found on the stage wall, and they light up at night! Purchase your brick today and become part of the legacy of Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.
