NEW ERA BEGINS — The Carnegie Science on Pittsburgh’s North Shore is now officially the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center. -- Contributed

PITTSBURGH — Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh’s most visited museum and one of the four Carnegie Museums, is now officially the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center. A key part of this transformation, which became official Thursday, is the announcement of a dynamic lineup of nine upcoming exhibits and experiences that will transform the visitor experience at the Science Center for decades to come.

A historic $65 million gift from Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin — the largest in Carnegie Museums’ 130-year history — is fueling this multi-year reinvention of the newly named Kamin Science Center.

“This is much more than a name change — it’s a reimagining of what a museum can be,” said Steven Knapp, president and CEO of Carnegie Museums. “Thanks to Dan and Carole Kamin’s extraordinary generosity, the science center is dramatically enlarging its capacity to connect communities and inspire future generations of innovators.”

Beginning Saturday, visitors will see the first wave of changes: A redesigned main lobby with a 25-foot digital media wall, a pollinator-friendly entrance garden, vibrant new exterior signage and a comprehensive wayfinding system that will make navigating the five-floor museum easier than ever.

At the heart of the transformation are two groundbreaking exhibitions set to open in the coming months:

• Sports360 exhibition: Opening in December, this 9,500-square-foot experience, which will soon be the largest exhibition at the center, will combine the thrill of sports with the science behind play. Nearly 25 interactive activities will take visitors through all levels of competition — from warming up to going pro — with hands-on challenges and cutting-edge technology that explores reaction time, biomechanics, balance and technique.

• Science of Speed experience: When next summer arrives, the former SportsWorks building will reopen as an all-new experience devoted to the physics, engineering and adrenaline behind the world’s fastest race cars. The centerpiece will be a two-story electric kart track, paired with interactive exhibits, modern and vintage high-performance vehicles, and a racing-inspired lounge and restaurant. Visitors can get a sneak peek of the new exhibit with the addition of a Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar currently on display in the science center’s main lobby.

These new exhibitions are just the beginning. Additional upcoming projects during the next two years will upgrade more than 75 percent of the science center’s exhibit spaces, including:

• Peirce Atrium: An interactive exhibition that will fill the museum’s four-story atrium with light, movement, and imagination.

• Building Futures exhibition: A new exhibition spotlighting skilled trades and the science behind some of today’s most in-demand careers

• Responsive science display: A dynamic experience exploring the local impacts of climate change in Southwestern Pennsylvania through immersive storytelling and innovative design.

• North lot beautification project: A community-focused installation in the museum’s north parking lot with expanded green space and interpretative science displays.

• First floor gallery refresh: A new space designed to energize visitors with interactive and engaging experiences.

• Early Learners space: A new fourth floor exhibition designed specifically for young explorers to foster curiosity and discovery through age-appropriate science play

Daniel Kamin’s connection to the science center began as a young boy visiting the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science. Fascinated by astronomy, he built his own telescope at the Buhl at the young age of 13, which helped to encourage a passion for science and discovery that has endured throughout his life.

“Science sparked my curiosity as a child, and it continues to inspire me today,” said Kamin. “Carole and I hope this gift will provide families with a similar sense of possibility and wonder that I felt during my many visits to the Buhl Planetarium.”

“Pittsburgh has given so much to our family, and we are thrilled to support the science center’s amazing vision for the future,” added Carole Kamin. “Through inspiration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to education, these plans will inspire curiosity for generations to come.”

“At the Science Center, our mission is to connect people and science, igniting curiosity that endures for a lifetime,” said Jason Brown, Henry Buhl Jr., director of Kamin Science Center and vice president of Carnegie Museums. “From a preschooler launching a model rocket to an adult seeing Saturn’s rings for the first time, curiosity drives every experience at the science center. The launch of our new brand, along with our nine new exhibits and experiences, marks the beginning of a transformational period in our organization’s history.”

In addition to its vision for future projects, the center unveiled its new “starfield” logo and “Ignite Your Curiosity” branding campaign, developed in partnership with Pittsburgh-based agency Rebel Fox.

“Our new brand connects our past, present, and most importantly, our future,” said Ned Schano, senior director of marketing and communications at Kamin Science Center. “It reflects the legacy of the Buhl Planetarium, honors the amazing story of Dan Kamin’s first telescope and points toward the limitless possibilities of curiosity.”

Schano noted that the stars of the new Kamin Science Center logo represent exploration, while the arm of the “K” signifies a telescope looking toward the future.

The “Ignite Your Curiosity” campaign will be displayed across billboards, television, digital ads and social media, and includes a new TV commercial voiced by Pittsburgh-native Jeff Goldblum.