Chabot Space & Science Center

What inspired you as a child?  Perhaps it was a teacher or building something with Legos. Or, maybe it was a field trip or gazing through a telescope at the night sky.

Nurturing the joy of discovery makes our world go ’round at Chabot Space & Science Center, where we have inspired and educated the public and students of all ages about our Planet Earth and the Universe for 132 years. Our formal and informal education programs engage young hearts and minds in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) through hands-on education and enrichment opportunities: field trips, classes and workshops, interactive exhibits, a digital planetarium, Chabot to Go, our traveling science fairs, and our three giant telescopes.

Here is how we inspired Patrick, who must use a wheelchair everyday:

"Often I have to be satisfied with watching others interact with museum exhibits. But, there is nothing like being able to interact with the exhibit myself. It changes the learning experience for me dramatically. While I was at the Chabot Science Center I had the opportunity to look through the Nellie telescope at Saturn and two planets that are orbiting each other. It was thrilling!"

Chabot has an adapter for a telescope eyepiece that makes it possible for people who are in wheelchairs, or who cannot climb ladders or stairs, to look through “Nellie,” our largest telescope. 

Gifts from individuals who care about science education and the joy of discovery made this experience possible for Patrick and others, including the able-bodied, who have an interest in science.

Children and youth can also participate in our Youth Development Programs, which start with Tyke Explorers Science Workshops for preschool children and continue through middle and high school with our award-winning Champions of Science/Galaxy Explorers.  These programs introduce children and youth to basic science concepts and encourage them to explore their interests.  The curriculum helps improve group interaction and leadership skills, for the older youth, while also helping improve basic academic skills, such as note-taking and critical thinking.

You can help to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, technology innovators and global thinkers with a gift to Chabot’s science education programs.