The Science Factory

For the children's museum in Eugene, Oregon, see Science Factory Children's Museum & Planetarium.
The Science Factory
Vitenfabrikken

The Science Factory in 2010
The Science Factory within Norway
Established 22 May 2008
Location Sandnes, Rogaland, Norway
Coordinates 58°51′5″N 5°43′51.8″E / 58.85139°N 5.731056°E / 58.85139; 5.731056
Type Science museum
Website www.jaermuseet.no/anlegga-vare/vitenfabrikken

Science Factory (Norwegian: Vitenfabrikken) is a museum and science center located at Sandnes, in Rogaland, Norway.[1]

Background

The Science Factory opened in May 2008. It is a science museum with exhibitions about mathematic, astronomy, chemistry, physics, art, and technology. The history of Sandnes also well as regional history also showcased in the museum. In June 2013 a new exhibition called 100% energy was opened. As a part of the exhibition, the Science Factory has their own Tesla Coil. In the weekends and summer there are chemistry shows and educational workshops. The UMOE Planetarium is located in the center of the Science Factory. The Science Factory also has a Foucault pendulum (named after Jean-Bernard-Leon Foucault) weighing 60kg and is 11,17 meters and has an exhibition based on some of the works of Leonardo da Vinci. There is an observation terrace located on the fourth floor featuring two telescopes.[2]

The Science Factory is the largest department of the regional museum, Jaermuseet, which is headquartered in Nærbø. Jærmuseet is also responsible for running several other local museum facilities in various parts of the region of Jæren. Jærmuseet is the regional science museum for the municipalities of Randaberg, Sola, Sandnes, Gjesdal, Klepp, Time and . Jaermuseet received the Museum of the Year 2009 award in Norway (Årets Museum 2009 i Norge) and also the Luigi Micheletti Award 2009 for best technological museum. [3][4][5] [6]

Exhibitions

Abel's Sketchbook

Abel's Sketchbook (Abels skissebok) is an interactive exhibition that shows the relationship between art, technology and science. The name is inspired by the famous mathematician Niels Henrik Abel, who was born at Finnøy in Ryfylke not far from Sandnes. The exhibitions is based on the art and industry in the regionof Jæren. [7][8]

Topics include:

UMOE Planetarium

Inside the UMOE Planetarium

In the middle of the building the UMOE planetarium looms above the café. It is a large dome-shaped projection screen where you can see the stars, planets and galaxies. In addition to the guided tours of the starry sky, several educational movies about different topics are shown. There are films in Norwegian and in English. There are 57 seats, and was when it opened (2008) as one out of five planetariums in the world using a combined Skymaster ZKP 4 optomechanical projector and Spacegate system from Carl Zeiss.[9] [10]

Other Exhibits

Reviews

In 2012 National Geographic wrote this about the Science Factory: "The Science Factory: My favorite place by far, the Science Factory is in nearby Sandnes and serves as a high-tech playpen for kids of all ages. Stargaze in the planetarium..."[13]

References

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