Explore the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation
As you approach the American Museum of Natural History from Columbus Ave, this iconic New York institution presents a striking architectural transformation.
Upon entering the sculptural structure designed by Studio Gang, you’re greeted by an atrium filled with natural light. A grand staircase leads upwards to captivating spaces on the upper levels, home to exciting discoveries. Classrooms cater to students of all ages, while a beautifully designed library, featuring a tree-like column, is accessible to all visitors.
Welcome to the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education and Innovation—a remarkable $465-million, 230,000-sq-ft new wing poised to attract families from New York City and beyond.
Exciting New Exhibits
This innovative wing features a range of engaging exhibits. The interactive video presentation, Invisible Worlds, illustrates how all life is interconnected, with motion-activated projections inviting guests to be part of the narrative. Additionally, the Solomon Family Insectarium showcases a selection of the museum’s impressive 24 million bug specimens, both living and taxidermied, including a docile giant Hercules beetle and industrious leaf-cutter ants working throughout clear tubes.
In a humidity-rich environment, the Davis Family Butterfly Vivarium provides a lush setting for colorful butterflies, enhancing the visitor experience with magnifying glasses at feeding stations. Reports indicate visitors are thrilled as butterflies land gently on their arms, shoulders, and heads.
Interactive Learning Experiences
Throughout the new wing, visitors can view glass cases filled with fascinating items from the museum’s extensive collection of 34 million objects. Exhibits include diverse turtle shells, preserved fish specimens, coral chunks, and even human-made ceramic vessels. Additionally, collection-storage areas are visible, allowing guests a behind-the-scenes glimpse of scientific work, demonstrating the museum’s mission in an engaging manner.
Despite the variety of attractions, the new wing impresses with its spacious design, featuring open areas on every floor that invite visitors to relax, play, or regroup.
Top Family-Friendly STEM Spots in New York
For families interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the American Museum of Natural History is a prime destination, but it’s not the only one. Here are other notable STEM attractions throughout the city:
Queens County Farm Museum
Located at the edge of the city limits, the Queens County Farm Museum spans 47 acres with an orchard, herb garden, tractor rides, and animal pens, providing urban kids a taste of rural life.
New York Hall of Science
In Flushing Meadows Park, this interactive museum makes science enjoyable with engaging exhibits such as Design Space and Connected Worlds, introducing core concepts of engineering, biology, and AI through hands-on interaction.
Staten Island Children’s Museum
Situated within Snug Harbor, this museum features enriching exhibits like “catching” oysters in the Sea of Boats and exploring animal life in Pets & People, ensuring both learning and fun for children.
Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo has inspired young naturalists for nearly 125 years, with visitors marveling at a plethora of animals, including gorillas, tigers, and giraffes across its expansive 265-acre campus.
National Museum of Mathematics
This Manhattan museum showcases math through hands-on exhibits. Visitors can engage with interactive experiences that relate advanced concepts to real-world activities, making math accessible and entertaining.
