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# McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center – Concord NH's Space Museum and Planetarium

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH, is a prominent science museum dedicated to space exploration and aviation. Named after New Hampshire's notable figures, astronaut Alan Shepard and teacher Christa McAuliffe, the center offers engaging exhibits and a planetarium. Established to inspire curiosity about science and space, it features interactive displays, flight simulators, and educational programs. Visitors often highlight the planetarium shows and hands-on experiences as key attractions. The center serves as a community hub, fostering interest in science among children and adults alike.

## History

### The story of McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center was founded with a vision to honor the legacies of Alan Shepard, the first American in space, and Christa McAuliffe, who tragically lost her life in the Challenger disaster. The center aims to inspire future generations through education and exploration of space and science. By providing a platform for interactive learning, it encourages curiosity and a deeper understanding of the universe.

### Milestones and growth

- **1990**: The center was established, focusing on space and aviation education.
- **1995**: The planetarium was added, enhancing the educational offerings.
- **2000**: The center expanded its interactive exhibits, attracting more visitors.
- **2010**: The facility underwent renovations to improve accessibility and visitor experience.
- **2020**: New exhibits were introduced, including a focus on local space history.

### Cultural and local influence

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center plays a significant role in the local community by promoting science education and awareness. It serves as a resource for schools and families, providing educational programs that align with state curriculum standards. The center also collaborates with local organizations to host events that celebrate science and technology, fostering a culture of learning and curiosity in Concord and beyond.

### Continuing the tradition

The center continues to uphold the legacies of Shepard and McAuliffe by offering programs that inspire young minds. It regularly updates its exhibits and educational offerings to reflect advancements in space exploration and science. By engaging with the community and adapting to new educational trends, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center ensures that it remains a vital resource for science education in New Hampshire.

## Community

### Community involvement

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center actively engages with the local community through various outreach programs and events. It collaborates with schools, libraries, and community organizations to promote science education. The center often hosts workshops, lectures, and special events that invite community participation, fostering a sense of ownership and pride among local residents.

### Community notion about the place

The community views the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center as a valuable educational resource. Many families appreciate the center's commitment to inspiring children through hands-on learning experiences. Reviews often highlight the welcoming atmosphere and the center's role in making science accessible and enjoyable for all ages. Local residents frequently recommend it as a must-visit destination for families and tourists alike.

### Events and gatherings

The center hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including science fairs, astronomy nights, and holiday-themed activities. These events are designed to engage the community and promote interest in science and technology. Special gatherings often feature guest speakers from the fields of science and education, providing unique opportunities for learning and interaction. The center also participates in local festivals, further solidifying its presence in the community.

## Offerings

### What McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center offers

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center provides a range of educational offerings focused on space and aviation. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits that cover various scientific concepts, from physics to astronomy. The planetarium offers immersive shows that enhance the learning experience, making complex topics more accessible and engaging. The center also features a gift shop with educational toys and books, allowing visitors to take a piece of their experience home.

### Dining and food experience

While the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center does not have a full-service restaurant, it offers a small café where visitors can enjoy light snacks and beverages. The café provides a convenient spot for families to take a break during their visit. The menu typically includes sandwiches, salads, and kid-friendly options, ensuring that guests have a comfortable dining experience without leaving the premises.

### Events and packages

The center offers various event packages for school groups, birthday parties, and special occasions. These packages often include guided tours, planetarium shows, and hands-on activities tailored to the age group of the participants. The center also provides educational programs that align with school curricula, making it an ideal destination for field trips. Special events, such as summer camps and science workshops, are also available, further enriching the educational experience.

### Facilities and features

- Interactive exhibits
- Planetarium theater
- Educational programs
- Gift shop
- Small café
- Outdoor playground

## Pros and Cons

### Key insights from reviews

Reviews of the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center provide valuable insights into the visitor experience. Many guests praise the engaging exhibits and the quality of the planetarium shows. However, some visitors express concerns about the center's size and the limited number of exhibits, particularly for those familiar with larger space museums. Overall, feedback highlights the center's strengths in educational programming and community engagement.

### Compliments and strengths

Visitors frequently commend the center for its friendly staff and interactive exhibits. The planetarium shows receive high marks for their educational content and engaging presentations. Families appreciate the hands-on activities that keep children entertained while learning about science. The center's commitment to honoring local space heroes, Shepard and McAuliffe, is also a point of pride for many visitors.

### Contrasts and notable mentions

Some reviews note that while the center is excellent for children, it may not meet the expectations of adult visitors seeking in-depth information on space exploration. A few guests have mentioned that certain exhibits were underfunded or in need of maintenance, which detracted from their overall experience. Despite these contrasts, the center remains a beloved destination for families and educators.

### Summary evaluation

In summary, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center offers a unique educational experience focused on space and aviation. While it may have limitations in terms of exhibit variety, its strengths lie in community involvement, engaging programming, and a welcoming atmosphere. The center continues to inspire curiosity and learning among visitors of all ages, making it a valuable resource in Concord.

## Location & Nearby Attractions

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is located at 2 Institute Dr, Concord, NH 03301. Situated in the heart of Concord, the center is easily accessible and surrounded by a variety of attractions. Nearby, visitors can explore the New Hampshire State House, the Capitol Center for the Arts, and several parks. The center's location makes it a convenient stop for those looking to experience the cultural and historical offerings of Concord while enjoying a day of science and exploration.

## FAQs

**What are the hours of operation** The center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM.

**Is there an admission fee** Yes, there is an admission fee for adults and children, with discounts for seniors and military personnel.

**Are there group rates available** Yes, group rates are available for school trips and special events.

## Visit McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center Today

The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center invites you to explore the wonders of space and aviation. With engaging exhibits, an impressive planetarium, and a commitment to community education, it offers a unique experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you're a family looking for a fun day out or an individual interested in science, the center provides a welcoming atmosphere filled with learning opportunities. Come and discover the legacy of Alan Shepard and Christa McAuliffe while enjoying a day of exploration and discovery.

9630749b-3b79-4a7a-8986-04f46d0928df

There were planes , and flight simulators, different space related stuff everywhere. I really liked the movie. You definitely should go here on vacation or really any time! I ran into some friends too! They had very interesting stuff there too.

1db65ffb-0fee-4381-9663-08a9c294afc6

Had a fun day going here, lot of information about planes, space, moon, Mount Washington. Easy to navigate thru the displays. Lot of interactive displays. Eaven though we are adults and a lot of the displays are geared to kids we still had a lot of fun. Chose to see the eclipse planetarium show which was very informative. As a Star Trek fan was surprised to see some Star Trek displays.

08cbff07-7da6-45ba-845b-8628286b4233

This wasn't our first time visiting but it will have to be our last. The first time we visited (just our family) it was a great experience and we didn't have any problems. This past Tuesday, it was unbelievable the problems we had. We came in as a large group. Almost as many parents as we had children. Everyone was chaperoning everyone's kids. We all know each other. We were told our children had to stay with parents. This place isn't that big. It will take you less than two hours to do all the activities and go see a planetarium show. Let's talk about the show first, as that was an incredible experience. Staff member number 1 led the way for our night time tour. Giving our children many choices on things they could see. She ended our tour telling the children the constellations and showing them over the night sky waking us into morning with a beautiful tale. She was incredible and we highly recommend her for your planetarium experience. We started in the small cafe, with a schedule written out for us. Staff member number 1 welcomed us in. Explained the itinerary and off we went to explore. We were told that people with orange shirts would be there to help us if we had any questions. Since our kids have traveled to countless museums at this point, the parents just seem to meander behind and enjoy the parts we want to enjoy. Shortly after our exploration we started noticing an employee following along after some of the kids. She would open the doors of an exhibit they were doing or just stand behind them as they were experiencing something. Some of the kids even took to this as a game and started hiding from her. When lunch time came, we had made our way into the small cafe very early (as we were done far before our lunch time). We were sitting for lunch, all separated families, children enjoying their time together. The other staff member marched in and told us we had 10 minutes before our planetarium and we needed to get moving. We actually had 14 minutes before our less than 2 minute walk to the planetarium show. We started packing up and were told we needed to get moving, again by the other staff member. As each parent literally had to walk by her to put our bags (no food or drink) in the coat room... our children/adults who didn't have anything to put in there were told to "WAIT RIGHT HERE! She was going to escort us to the planetarium show." Again, it's a less then 30 second walk but she needed to be the in charge person. We get to the planetarium and the doors are locked. The other staff member told all of us to get in a single file line and stay to the back of the planetarium. (It was only our group) We filled up 2-3 aisles and some of the children wanted to sit up front. She reprimanded two of the older boys who didn't stay in a single file line and walked around the empty front of the room. These two boys were just trying to not be bogged into the single file ridiculousness of the charade the other staff member was performing. My son didn't want to sit single file in the back rows and I told him we could sit wherever he wanted. I did speak up and ask why we were being forced to sit all in the back row and the other staff member told me, those were the best seats. My son didn't like those great seats and we chose the middle. Staff member number 1 came in and told us we could move around to where we felt comfortable. Please explain to me why this had to be our experience? If this staff member wasn't having a good day, I feel like she didn't even need to engage with any of us. There were 4-5 other employees walking around, smiling, engaging with the children. None of them were rude, disrespectful or inconsiderate like this one staff member. One other thing, along with being targeted by this other adult. The store was specifically closed for us. When we got there the store was closed, when we left the store was closed. It seemed to only open for the school children that were there. I guess this museum doesn't want to be shopped at either. Such an interesting experience. I removed the names at the request of the discovery center. I am assuming they know they have a staff member problem and will fix this issue.

9cb14a29-8118-4eee-961c-5d90dfba8729

We were looking forward to our visit to the Discovery Center today. Our group consisted of about 25 children and their adults, all part of a homeschooling 4-H group. Ollie gave us a wonderful introduction to the building, and we set off, excited to explore until lunchtime. The kids were enjoying themselves, but then we encountered Christy, an employee. Unfortunately, her presence quickly made everyone uncomfortable. She spent much of her time following the children around, seemingly waiting for them to misbehave. My own children were confused, asking why someone who clearly didn't like children was working in a place meant for educating them. The kids were behaving respectfully--no roughhousing, yelling, or running--and yet Christy's constant monitoring made them anxious. At 12:47, Christy entered the lunchroom and insisted that we immediately head to the planetarium for our 1 pm show, which was just a two-minute walk away. She rushed the children and parents out of the room, even though some parents were still packing up lunch and a few kids were still in the bathroom. I stayed behind to ensure the kids were safe and accounted for. When I arrived at the planetarium at 12:52, the doors were locked, and my teen daughter had to ask for me to be let in. I had to plead with Christy to wait for the last three members of our group to finish in the bathroom before locking them out. While I was in the bathroom, I was told that Christy had escorted the families into the theater and had them sit in the back rows, even though it was a private showing and there were plenty of open seats. When my son and his friend chose two available seats, Christy stopped everything and publicly shamed them in front of the group. When one of the parents questioned why they couldn't sit wherever they felt comfortable in an almost empty theater, she responded with nothing more than a dirty look. Thankfully, Ollie arrived at that point and took over, encouraging us to move around and sit wherever we liked. The presentation they provided was great, and they were wonderful with both the children and the adults. To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. As a nonprofit group with well-behaved children who participate in numerous field trips each year, we have never been treated in such a way. After this experience, we will not be returning

128705ae-ca23-4e78-abf3-fb30597590cc

Great experience. The planetarium show is amazing! This was a great place to take the kids. Mine especially loved the playground.

3f8257d8-3050-442b-aeaa-d6496033bdfc

We were disappointed by this museum. Keep in mind, we have been to many, many, many air & space museums and have pretty high expectations but also a pretty good knowledge base. We found this museum to be pretty basic but therefore probably excellent for kids. We went to a planetarium show which was again to basic for us. Okay film but we didn't learn anything new. But.....great for kids. Our biggest disappointment though was how little information there was on either Crista McAuliffe or Alan Shepard. We were expecting much more (esp. on Shepard). We got in free with a reciprocity membership at a different museum so at least we didn't spend any money. But, typically we spend an entire day at a place like this but we were done in about an hour.

94bf2357-65b8-4826-9af0-f2b99a054a76

Exceeded my expectations. Lots of information and the planetarium show was amazing! Friendly staff. Easy to navigate around the displays. Swell gift show. Plenty of parking and no security issues ......it's New Hampshire!

0cd87146-81ab-48bb-bb9e-5a30fdcba42d

The best thing here is the planetarium! Went for a show today about the constellations and it was very informative! It's only 5 bucks for a show but you also have to pay the $10 admission price, so ends up being $15 but that's about the price of a movie these days. I want to come back for another one. We checked out the exhibits too but were done in like 30 mins. Wish they had more here.

a57e9953-826e-4350-84b3-b56182d210b1

A fun local science museum paying tribute to a couple of New Hampshire's finest space heroes, Alan Shepard and Chista McAuliffe. Shepard was the first American in space and also one of the last men to walk on the moon, and McAuliffe of course was the schoolteacher who tragically died in the Challenger disaster. Outside the entrance they have a full-size Redstone rocket and Mercury capsule on display, and inside you can get a closer look at another Mercury capsule hanging next to the balcony. They have lots of hands-on interactive displays on offer, although many of these were broken or missing essential parts. I particularly liked the section explaining basic physics and flight mechanics, and judging from the noise level, the party of kids in at the time did too! Of the exhibits that were actually working, the best has to be the Space Shuttle cockpit, where you can actually try your hand at landing it; and the lunar lander simulator. There's some interesting stuff on weather and satellite imagery too, but overall it comes across as somewhat underfunded. There is a lack of big exhibits and the shop was pretty poor too, although if you bring kids I'm sure they'll love it. I expected there to be more about McAulliffe, but it was just one small section. Overall I'd say that it's not up to the standard of a similar NASA-funded space museum, but it's a good educational resource to educate kids about their local heroes.

26a02808-38d7-45b7-96c9-00c85b0ae5b9

Such a FUN day!!! The discovery center is just amazing and so clean. Lots of exhibits it keep the kids attention for just the right amount of time... the hands on exhibits were the favorite! and OMG the new Planetarium Theater is just so so so amazing with the new projectors we saw the Dream Discovery.. inside NASA show and it was like we there! It is a MUST go to when you come to New Hamphsire

Discover the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH, a must-visit science museum offering engaging exhibits and interactive experiences. Plan your visit today!

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH - Explore the Universe

Concord

McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center

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Discover the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH. Engage with space exhibits, planetarium shows & interactive science displays. Plan your visit today!

Explore McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH - Space & Science Fun

Learn about the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH. A premier space and science museum offering educational exhibits, planetarium shows & more.

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