LIMSAT Museum
The Long Island Museum of Science & Technology (LIMSAT), chartered in 1997, is Long
Island's "hands-on" science and technology center designed to expand to major proportions
and world-class quality. Its main goal is to excite and enrich young people, many
of whom will be inspired to fill the 21st Century need for a technologically skilled
workforce.
The earliest operational phase of LIMSAT, 1999-2001, was a functional research development
center, located at R. J. Osgood Middle School, Kings Park, NY. Off-site events included
the month-long “Legacy of Marie Curie; 100 Years of Women in Science,” followed
by a lectures series. LIMSAT conducted tours and educational programs for over 10,000
visitors per year and was instrumental in helping several local school districts
fulfill NYS Education Department requirements. The test location demonstrated the
high demand for the exhibits and activities presented.
In 2003, LIMSAT held the Long Island Technology Hall of Fame (LITHF) dedication ceremony featuring Keynote Speaker, LITHF honoree Dr. James D. Watson, revealing LITHF Inductee plaques to be housed permanently at LIMSAT. As planned, this initial LITHF display area at the Reckson Visitor’s Center became LIMSAT’s first public presence onsite at Museums at Mitchel Center (Garden City, NY), with the intention of expanding the area with interactive exhibits.
Also in 2003, LIMSAT founded Astronomy Space Week to bring together all of Museum
Row. Within a few years, this annual event became the single most profitable time
of year for the Cradle of Aviation Museum and the blueprint for Museum Row collaborations
that followed.
LIMSAT is the joint recipient of the 2002 Unisys Award for Online Science Education, and two 2005 Sky & Telescope Awards for Astronomy Day and Best New Idea. LIMSAT's current operations include an educational outreach program that visits libraries, schools and community centers throughout Long Island, and has reached over 500,000 people in live web broadcasts. LIMSAT is a member of ASTC, NYIT’s Educational Enterprise Zone, and LIMA.
The Long Island Museum of Science & Technology is in transition from an independent,
co-located organization to a partner dedicated to highlighting science and technology
within the context of the Cradle of Aviation and the greater organizational development
that emerges from the combined effort. In 2007-8, that meant special presentations
and a traveling exhibit known as R!SK within the Aurora Gallery, which drew 14,000
visitors in six months. Going forward, it means long-term enhancements fully integrated
into the existing facility. The weather radar exhibit is leading the way, providing
science explanations for aviation technology.
Please visit http://www.cradleofaviation.org/ for more information.