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SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The survival of the Capita Region’s only science museum is in question. NEWS10 has the answer from G.E. on how they might step in to help out.
“It’s a wonderful place to be, it really is. The Museum of Science and Innovation is all about thinking and working,” said Planetarium manager Kerry Lewis.
“It’s a revelation and we’re thrilled. We’re just absolutely thrilled,” exclaimed Neil Golub.
The area’s largest innovator, General Electric, has a vested interest in the future of Schenectady’s miSci, because their roots are being carefully preserved in the museum. They tell NEWS10 reporter James De La Fuente they are coming to the table to see if they can help.
G.E. says they are proud to have supported the museum over the last 30 years. And that they are in contact with miSci to better understand their needs and will continue discussions to protect the museum’s archives and upgrade the building.
Museum Director Gina Gould says that the $20,000 a year from G.E. is no longer enough to pay for Vice President of Collections and Exhibitions, Chris Hunter’s work. “They’ve been paying us that for well over 25 years. Chris is basically being paid $12 per query. Because we get over 2,000 queries a year and 400 visitors from all over the world,” said Gould.
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara has helped secured funding for other much needed upgrades. He says he is excited for the next chapter. “We are looking forward to welcoming General Electric to the table to see what they can contribute to the future of miSci. I think it should be just as important to General Electric, which has a long history in Schenectady, as it is for the rest of us,” said Santabarbara.
Improvements for the planetarium are underway and Lewis is elated. “It’s beyond words, really. There is so much Innovation going on in cinema 360° immersion that we will hopefully be able to bring that into the space. The world continues to develop and knowing that we can bring that in here and keep things up to date,” said Lewis.
And there’s more to come. “You can see where people have to turn their heads the most to see the different parts of the sky in this theater, based on the amount of degradation in these headrests,” said Lewis.
She says those chairs will also be replaced. A new state of the art projection system that will work much better than the old mirror system, too.
As for securing the archives, Gould has an idea. “We have been caretakers for their legacy for decades and decades and that they endow the archives and collections,” suggested Gould.
miSci expects to have the upgraded planetarium up and running by summer.
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