Since its opening in 1998, the McWane Science Center has been dedicated to constant archeological and scientific research along with educating Alabama’s youth. Its educational value extends past the surface of fun exhibits as it provides classrooms and educational scholarship funds for field trips. Internships are possible for local high school and college students. The McWane Science Center provides pre-planned programs year-round for different age groups like hands on lab work, scientific challenges, and adventures for children kindergarten through 12th grade. A trip to the McWane Science Center provides Alabama students activities that spark new interest in STEM fields.
The McWane Science Center, however, is not only an education center! It is dedicated to archaeological research in Alabama. In recent years, the McWane Science Center played a significant role in the discovery of a new 40-million-year-old shark species. Jun Ebersole, an Alabama paleontologist, and collections director at the McWane Science Center, was a leader in the research confirming the existence of this new species. Ebersole partnered with LSU paleontologist and collections supervisor, Suyin Ting, and South Carolina State Museum scientist, David Cicimurri, in the discovery. Yet this major discovery is only a small part of the McWane Center’s entire contribution to scientific research. The McWane Center has been at the heart of new discoveries every year since its inception, and there is no end in sight.
Since its opening in 1998, the McWane Science Center built a special place for itself in Birmingham and the state. As a place of wonder, mystery, and curiosity for today’s youth, a place of science, research, and discovery for Alabama and even the world, the McWane Science Center has truly never stopped giving to the state of Alabama!
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My name is Ethan Martignoni, and I am a sophomore majoring history with a dual-minor in Philosophy and Anthropology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. I enjoy reading, writing, and one day I hope the result of my work will be a law degree. I will use this law degree to help immigrants coming in through the Southern border begin their path towards citizenship in the United States of America. I was born in Birmingham, Alabama and I am currently living in McCalla, Alabama. |