Discovery Science Center Gets a New Name Befitting Its Shape

The Discovery Science Center in Santa changed its name to Discovery Cube Orange County as crews geared up for expanding the museum to the nearly twice its size, officials announced today.

The rebranding is part of a larger effort to make over the museum and to avoid confusion with the California Science Center at Exposition Park in Los Angeles, according to Discovery Cube spokesman Dan Nasitka.

In 2012, the Santa Ana museum received congratulations and a cake meant for the California Science Center when the Space Shuttle Endeavour arrived there.

The Discovery Cube expansion is expected to be done by March.

Separately, Discovery Cube Los Angeles is under construction at the site of the former Children’s Museum of Los Angeles in the Hansen Dam Recreational area in Lake View Terrace. Its grand opening is set for Nov. 13.

The Los Angeles museum is expected to see 180,000 visitors in its first year and generate 24 local, full-time jobs and 70 local, permanent part-time jobs.

The Santa Ana museum will be expanded by 44,000 square feet, bringing it to about 115,000 square feet. The extra room is needed for growing attendance.

“We’re excited to bring our commitment to science-based hands-on learning and innovation to more Southern California families, children and science fans,” said Joe Adams, chief executive of the Discovery Science Foundation. “When Discovery Cube L.A. opens in November, more than 11.5 million people, including 2.6 million children under the age of 14, will live within 30 minutes of one of our two campuses. With that large audience, the potential for broader educational impact is enormous.”

--City News Service