The Center of Science and Industry (COSI)
The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) is a great place to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math. It’s home to Greater Columbus, Ohio’s most interactive exhibits and scientific demonstrations. Located in the heart of downtown Columbus near many attractions like The Ohio State University campus and Nationwide Arena, COSI has something for everyone!
What exhibits can you see at COSI?
Exhibits at COSI include:
- an IMAX theater with digital surround sound, which shows films on science and space exploration.
- a planetarium that provides the opportunity to explore the night sky through live presentations starring professional astronomers who provide commentary about how astronomy impacts our lives. The Planetarium’s full-dome video system projects images of stars, planets, galaxies, and other celestial objects on the dome’s interior.
- a science playground where kids can play with interactive exhibits, do experiments, and become scientists for a day!
- one of Ohio’s first full-dome theaters which opened in 2001 as part of COSI Columbus’ original campus. The theater currently shows educational films related to space and science.
- a history exhibit that explores American culture and immigration through five centuries of artifacts, photographs, documents, and other items from the collections of the Ohio History Connection.
- an engineering lab where kids can build structures using real tools like band saws and metal lathes! They’ll explore topics such as mechanics (how things work), friction, and more.
- a collection of nearly 400 locomotives, railroad cars, passenger railcars, subway cars from the 1800s to today! The museum features historic trains that kids can explore inside and out. They’ll learn about how their favorite modes of transportation have evolved as well as what life was like for people who lived and worked on trains.
- a science play area where kids can experiment with gravity, air pressure, acoustics, and more!
- an exhibition that explores Ohio’s history through photos of important people, places, events, and innovations from the 1800s to today. This exhibit includes hands-on activities such as dressing up in period costumes, playing vintage games, and more.
- a rotating exhibit area that changes every few months to feature topics related to science, technology, or art! Some of the exhibits have included robots, animation sports history, rock ‘n’ roll music history, and much more.
What else does COSI offer? Check out their website, with a list of upcoming events, public programs, and demonstrations offered through the COSI Science Store.
COSI is located at 333 West Broad Street in Columbus Ohio. Hours are Monday-Saturday from Labor Day to Memorial Day: closed Sunday; Memorial Day to Labor Day hours: open daily. Admission prices can be found on their website.
