The New Discovery Lab Building Opens At The End Of Year

Tulsa's Discovery Lab will soon have a new home next to Gathering Place.

The museum that focuses on hands-on science learning for kids says construction on the brand new $50-million building is almost halfway complete. The Discovery Lab will be moving from a building with about 8,000 square feet to a new building that has 20,000 square feet of exhibit space alone. It's a lot of space for a lot of discovery.

“We'll be having earth science exhibits, a hydro area, a water area, high facilitation areas, a virtual reality area," said Director of Organizational Development Anne Mannell.

Mannell says their new building means they will be able to inspire thousands of more kids than they are currently able to.

"The number of families probably that know about the museum just because of the location and the size, what we can accommodate, that's going to go through the roof exponentially," she said.

Along with 20,000 square feet of exhibit space, the new building will have a workshop, a science lab, and classrooms that will serve as the STEM Center for all of Tulsa Public Schools.

"Every year we'll have about 25,000 kids from Tulsa Public Schools coming through the museum and then doing an in-depth, hands-on, class," Mannell said.

An exhibit on display at their current location teaches kids all about Earth Science. Mannell says it's a traveling exhibit that brings the museum to students across the state.

"This exhibit, starting in January of 2022, will be going to 12 to 15 school districts within the state of Oklahoma and talking about Earth Sciences and in particular the geology of Oklahoma," said Mannell.

She says the new Discovery Lab will be a great place to interact and engage as a family.

"It will add to the quality of life for families, drawing people to Tulsa, keeping people in Tulsa. A venue like this makes that happen," Mannell said.

The new Discovery Lab building is scheduled to be open to the public at the end of the year.