Sam and Aline W. Skaggs Science Learning Center
Imagine a young student, their eyes wide with wonder, stepping into the Sam and Aline W. Skaggs Science Learning Center for the first time. It’s more than just a building; it’s an entryway to boundless exploration and imagination.
Within these walls, every corner holds the promise of a fresh adventure. Our 120,000 square foot expansion will introduce new and exciting habitats, house fourteen cutting-edge laboratories and classrooms, and unveil a premier banquet and events center dedicated to world-class education.
Our dedication goes beyond physical space. We firmly believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves access to top-tier education. That is why the Sam and Aline W. Skaggs Science Learning Center is not just a structure—it is a beacon of opportunity, extending its reach to students from historically underserved and rural communities across Utah.
As we embark on this journey, we invite you to join us. Together, we will create experiences that inspire connection and appreciation for the wonders of our Living Planet, ensuring a legacy of learning for generations to come.
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
- State-of-the-art animal care labs and nurseries
Some of the exciting animals coming to the cloud forest ecosystem: clouded leopards, Komodo dragon, tree kangaroos, small-clawed otters, giant beetles, and more!
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.
We are expanding from three classrooms to 14 state-of-the-art onsite and virtual learning facilities, connecting students from diverse backgrounds. Partnering with educators will bring STEM fields to life, inspiring the next generation of scientists and explorers.
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.
With a seating capacity of up to 1,000 guests or 2,500 in a theater-style setup, the banquet and event center will significantly expand the Aquarium’s event hosting capabilities, including scientific conferences and lectures.
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
Science Learning Center Renderings
Help us create the Science Learning Campus by making a donation or 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.