Berks County’s first STEM-themed attraction opens, delights visitors young and old – Reading Eagle

Children of all ages and plenty of adults, too, were simultaneously entertained and educated Saturday at the opening of the Reading Science Center, Berks County's first STEM-themed attraction.

Some attendees designed roller coasters as a lesson about how potential energy and kinetic energy work. Others yanked on ropes tied to bowling balls, a pulley system designed to demonstrate how gears help bicyclists climb hills. And more still spent time their time in the cell lab taking part in experiments such as DNA extraction.

The center features 30 interactive science exhibits, plus educational programs.

"It's for ages 2 to 102," said Reading Science Center founder and board president Jim Cinelli, stressing that the exhibits aren't just fun for children. "I love this stuff."

That being said, part of Cinelli's mission is to expose students to what are often referred to as the STEM disciplines science, technology, engineering and math with the goal of generating interest in those career fields.

"There was one study that shows STEM science centers are effective in doing that," said Cinelli. "Kids will be 30 to 40% more likely to enter a career in STEM if they get to a science center three or more times before seventh grade."

For some families, that's easier said than done.

"That's the kicker: three or more times," said Cinelli. "Your community is at a disadvantage if you don't have one locally."

Cinelli notes that many surrounding areas already have a STEM attraction, rattling off Lancaster, Harrisburg, Allentown and Philadelphia as examples.

However, there was no such place in Berks, a region with 18 school districts.

"We not only wanted it to be in Berks County," said Cinelli, "but for the really underserved population of Reading, we wanted it to be downtown so really it's accessible to everyone."

The Reading Science Center plans to host school-sponsored events and field trips, though those are on hold due to the coronavirus.

Other activities inside the 7,000-square-foot Reading Science Center located inside the multi-use building at 645 Penn St. include a structural engineering where participants can build a bridge and test its stability in an earthquake; a sand pendulum that demonstrates how gravity works; and an early learners section where young children can build on Lego tables.

The cell lab is one of the center's highlights.A donation from the Science Museum of Minnesota valued at about $500,000, it allows visitors to study their own cells under a microscope.

"I don't think you're going to find anything like this anywhere in our area," Cinelli said.

Classroom space is available for workshops, seminars and group experiments.

President of Reading-headquartered Liberty Environmental Inc., Cinelli had been pushing to get the Science Center open for more than three years, describing what he saw as an area of need for the community where he lives.

"I'm here for good," Cinelli said. "I'm born and raised in Berks, have my business here, bought a building downtown three years ago so I have a vested interest in seeing Berks County and the city of Reading thrive."

Cinelli was quick to credit the work by volunteers, some of whom were working right up to opening to ensure all the exhibits were ready.

Mary Chown, interim executive director for the Reading Science Center, assisted in securing donations from individual donors and local foundations to turn a vision into reality.

Donations can be made by visiting readingsciencecenter.org or by emailing Chown at mary.chown@rdgsci.org.

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Berks County's first STEM-themed attraction opens, delights visitors young and old - Reading Eagle