A $3.25 million science engagement centre is to be created at Otago Museum.
Otago Museum Trust Board chairman Graham Crombie said the new centre for science engagement would include a digital immersive planetarium, the redevelopment of Discovery World, the renovation of educational suites and the creation of a dedicated science communication team to staff the centre.
Stage one of the work will see the 65-seat planetarium installed next to the current Discovery World, which would open in October.
The first two shows will be astronomy-based, but almost any topic could be brought to life.
Stage two is the redevelopment of Discovery World, updating its content and expanding its area by more than 50%.
The new Discovery World, which will feature about 60 new or updated interactives. is expected to open in October 2016.
The current Discovery World Tropical Forest draws about 88,000 visitors a year, and museum director Ian Griffin hopes the redevelopment project will double that.
- More details in tomorrow's ODT
