Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, Science museum in Balboa Park, San Diego, United States
The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center stands at the east end of El Prado Drive in Balboa Park, next to the Bea Evenson Fountain. Its sand-colored facade carries the name carved in capital letters above large arched openings and a flat roofline with a decorative balustrade. Inside are interactive science galleries and the Heikoff Dome Theater, whose 76-foot dome is tilted 25 degrees.
The center opened in 1973 as the first building to bring interactive science exhibits together with a planetarium and IMAX theater in one location. This pioneering combination changed how science museums around the world were designed and built.
The center serves as a meeting point where local researchers share their work with visitors during special events throughout the year. You can see how scientific discoveries from the San Diego area shape the way people think about technology and the natural world.
Clear signage and layout markers help you navigate easily between the different sections of the building. Plan to spend several hours exploring the galleries and catching one or two of the theater presentations.
The dome screen installed in the 2012 renovation was the first NanoSeam Dome screen in an IMAX theater, joining its panels so the seams do not show during projection. The same renovation added two Global Immersion GSX systems, each with two Sony SRX 420 4K projectors.
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