McWane Science Center, Science museum in downtown Birmingham, Alabama.

The McWane Science Center occupies the refurbished Loveman's department store in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, and opened on July 11, 1998. Its lower level holds the World of Water aquarium with more than 50 marine and freshwater species, a touch tank of small sharks and rays, and shark teeth viewed under a microscope. The second floor holds the Alabama Collections Center and the Itty Bitty Magic City play exhibit, and a 250-seat IMAX Dome Theater is in the building.

Originally opened on July 11, 1998, the center occupies the former Loveman's department store building that was renovated to create modern educational spaces while preserving elements of Birmingham's commercial architectural heritage.

The center serves as Alabama's primary hub for science education, featuring local dinosaur discoveries including Appalachiosaurus specimens and promoting STEM learning through collaboration with schools and community organizations throughout the region.

Open Wednesday through Sunday with varying hours, the wheelchair-accessible facility offers free parking for members in a dedicated deck on 2nd Avenue North and features dining options at Bean Sprouts Café.

The IMAX Dome Theater seats 250 people under a tilted dome and shows educational films. The center sits on the site of the former Louis Saks department store, and the building it occupies is the refurbished Loveman's department store. The McWane name comes from the McWane family and McWane, Inc., which helped fund the museum.