The DaVinci Science Center is a national award-winning nonprofit organization that has brought science to life to science since 1992. It was established by a faculty member at Lehigh University. It was initially formed in a former Bethlehem steel plant building with hands-on experience. Now the location is downtown Allentown. For visitors, it showcases the relationship between art and science.

“A lot of our scientists have pretty extensive art pursuits, whether it's in their free time or, as you know, a second position or a former job. And I think that's because there's a kind of natural intersection between the two disciplines. The biggest thing for me is whenever you're trying to solve a science problem, you have to be able to think creative, “said Lin Erickson, CEO of the DaVinci Science Center.

The Science Center offers hands on experiences for everyone of all ages. It also offers an opportunity for students to get out of their classrooms to experience hands-on exhibits like curiosity hall. It was inspired by Leonardo DaVinci.

“You know, Walter Isaacson's book talks about Leonardo and his genius and says that that's why he was such a genius more than the other people whose written about Einstein jobs and so forth. He was such a genius and curious. He never finished anything. So, a lot of his artwork, you might know he never finished, but that sets him apart. But in Curiosity Hall, there's three programs, and you're introduced to Leonardo, the artist, Leonardo the scientist and Leonardo the inventor. So, you're at a kiosk and you're looking up at a huge screen. And so, like Leonardo the artist, you have the opportunity to create your own portrait, “said Erickson.

Carol Luthar is the Sr. Manager of STEAM Education at the science center. She hopes that visitors walk away with a new appreciation of science.

“So, I personally really and I think our whole our whole team really believes that science is for everyone. Science is a great way to help people and help the community. When you think about recent things that we as a society have had to deal with. So, for example, the Covid 19 pandemic science really helped us through that. And it's not a process that's done, you know, individually without creativity, without innovation, without community input. It really requires being kind of like a well-rounded individual. And I think what I hope people get when they come to the science Center is they learn that science is interactive, it's community based, and it's something that is really important. And it's not just having to sit at their desk, read a book about electricity, You know, that's not what while that can be interesting, it's not how real scientists work. So I'm hoping that students get a little broaden their idea of what science is and how it can help us, “said Luthar.