Kiewit Luminarium (Riverfront Science Museum)

[yman97]

Not a great photo but I did see this the other day when I was driving to Lula B's for breakfast.

[Brad]

Here's a quick snap shot from before the Fireworks on New Years Eve. Need to get back down there and take some real photos soon.

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[nativeomahan]

Nice photo!

[Doctor Fate]

Here's a quick snap shot from before the Fireworks on New Years Eve. Need to get back down there and take some real photos soon.

20221231881A4223.jpg

This looks awesome!

[omahahawk]

Great photo. I love how the blue Kiewit Luminairum wording seems to disappear at night when the building becomes a wall of light. It's a really cool touch and makes for a significant difference between the day and night appearance. Wasn't sure how this was going to turn out compared to the renderings but it ended up looking amazing.

[Coyote]

Kiewit Luminarium "place for joyful engagement and learning"

[Coyote]

A sneak peek into the new Kiewit Luminarium
The science center is set to open next month.



“These exhibits don’t necessarily feel like science exhibits. They feel like playful, engaging experiences,” the Luminarium’s CEO Silva Raker said. Sitting 50 feet away in a large dish, you could hear her as if she were right next to you. It’s an exhibit that shows how sound can be amplified based on the geometry of a dish. The Luminarium is ripe with other interactive science exhibits encircling four main themes: universal phenomena, like the motion of a spinning umbrella to heat in different forms; built structures, like building blocks and gears; mathematical concepts, like compound interest; and deeper exploration into one’s identity, from a cellular level to their community.

“Having this place being designed and developed during the last three years, when there’s massive change happening in the world at large based on the pandemic, based on reckoning with social justice, there are opportunities that we have actually been able to take advantage of working with the community,” Raker said.

Each plaque is in English and Spanish. The goal is to welcome a diversity of people and to encourage STEM exploration. “We know there a big chunk of our community who are historically underrepresented from those careers and from those museums in general,” Raker said. The privately-funded museum is experimenting with a membership model that they say prioritizes engagement instead of socioeconomic status. For instance, on Thursdays, adults can expect programming like wine nights. The museum will have free parking and timed tickets at first. All ages are welcome.

[ita]

Must of been media day for the Luminarium yesterday. Here is KETV's article and video of the museum.

Coming soon 2023: Kiewit Luminarium

Jack Keenan
Along the river's edge at Lewis and Clark landing, more than 100 hands-on exhibits await your exploration this April.

"The Luminarium is going to be a place for everyone, everyone of all ages, identities and backgrounds, to come and explore the astonishing phenomena that shape our world, our communities, and ourselves," said Luminarium CEO Silva Raker.

Not just a space for STEM lovers, the 82,000 square-foot space hopes to informally immerse you in a hands-on, thought-provoking and inspiring world.

"The real thing we're trying to do is to get people to gain confidence as learners and explorers, and so we use the science as a vehicle for that but it's really about something even deeper," Raker said.

Sorry, don't know how to embed KETV's videos.

[omahahawk]

Thanks for the links. The place looks stellar.

[nativeomahan]

A big feather in Metro Omaha’s cap. I can see lots of school field trips to this museum in the next school year, and beyond.

[skinzfan23]

Just got our family membership, can't wait to see it.

[iamjacobm]

Apparently they included some space for a cafe. Liquor license request for “Fig” here

[ita]

Just got our family membership, can't wait to see it.

I would encourage everyone to check out getting a family membership, especially if you discouraged when they first announced that they were available. I think the only option for it was like $250/year, but they have tiered pricing now, where you can get a family membership for $100/year now. You don't have to qualify for the lower price.

[skinzfan23]

Opening April 15

[Coyote]

Omaha's $100 million science center ready to open
Doors open April 15

A new state attraction, a $100 million science center, opens in less than a month. Omaha’s Kiewit Luminarium, featuring 120 exhibits spread out over 82,000 square feet—basically one and half football fields—is geared to “change the way visitors see the world,” according to a statement from the center. Located on the city’s redesigned Riverfront the doors officially open April 15. Tickets will be available on the center’s website, and we’re told tickets will be timed-entry to ensure that “everyone is able to comfortably engage with exhibits and programs.”

[Coyote]

Luminarium CEO promises facility is one to explore, learn from



Whether it be art, science or understanding what makes we as humans what we are, the Kiewit Luminarium provides an interactive—even fun—way to learn. It’s two floors of exhibits about subjects like physics, financial literacy and our surrounding environments. As painful as math is for some, there’s even a geometry playground. "It's a place for people to come and explore astonishing phenomena," CEO Silva Raker said. "The phenomena that we're all swimming in all the time that shape who we are, that shape of the world we live in."

For example: The Catch Waves exhibits not only help you see sound, but also learn about waves of heat and light.

[Omahayngin]

I’m really glad to have this development but I do wish the exterior design was different, missed opportunity in my eyes to have something that stands out more. Kinda dull but good none the less

[skinzfan23]

I’m really glad to have this development but I do wish the exterior design was different, missed opportunity in my eyes to have something that stands out more. Kinda dull but good none the less

I said that from the beginning. I really like the reflective nature of the building especially with the name, but it really is just a 3-story rectangular building, nothing special about the design.

[Dusty]

Maybe it has some cool feature we don't know about like radiating led lights to mimic a cuttlefish.

[omahahawk]

Curious, how many people are going to the Luminarium tomorrow? Since I probably won't be going at least for a while I would love to get just some general impressions, not necessarily a full account, but your overall takes on the place. Thanks.

[skinzfan23]

We have a reservation for 4 pm, I’ll let you know how it is.

[Coyote]

We have a reservation for 4 pm, I’ll let you know how it is.

Will you bring your 5 year old to see the Luminarium? I would like to hear his comments on this experience.

[Omaha Cowboy]

We have a reservation for 4 pm, I’ll let you know how it is.

Nice!..

Report back your first impressions- how was the atmosphere etc…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[Brad]

We have a reservation for 4 pm, I’ll let you know how it is.

Will you bring your 5 year old to see the Luminarium? I would like to hear his comments on this experience.

I’d like to hear about how it is for little kids too.

[Coyote]

We have a reservation for 4 pm, I’ll let you know how it is.

So, how did you all like the Luminarium?

[skinzfan23]

The museum was great. Staff was excellent and truly seemed like they liked what they were doing. Very welcoming as well. We did maybe 1/2, 2/3 of the exhibits and they are all pretty good for both young and old alike. Nothing earth-shattering but nice exhibits. Glad we got a membership so we can go back to explore more next time.

I totally forgot that they moved Riverfront drive but the road is much smoother now.

My favorite part was the model of Omaha with Mutual of Omaha’s new tower included:

[Coyote]

Kiewit Luminarium opens on Omaha's RiverFront

The grand opening of the Kiewit Luminarium on the RiverFront in downtown Omaha on Saturday, April 15, 2023.

[Brad]

My favorite part was the model of Omaha with Mutual of Omaha’s new tower included:

Thanks for the photos. What was the purpose of the model?

[Cermak]

Thanks for the pictures of the model of DT Omaha. This is the best perspective I've seen yet of the new tower.

[skinzfan23]

My favorite part was the model of Omaha with Mutual of Omaha’s new tower included:

Thanks for the photos. What was the purpose of the model?

Not quite sure. I did notice that they didn’t have Steelhouse on it yet. I think it was just highlighting different buildings downtown. You can see the numbered flags and they had a corresponding key on the edge of the table.

[Coyote]

Kiewit Luminarium Science Center opens doors to visitors



Mayor Jean Stothert helped open the doors to the newest attraction in Omaha Saturday, the new 82,000-square-foot Kiewit Luminarium Science Center, which features over 100 interactive exhibits. The Kiewit Luminarium promises to rekindle curiosity and change the way visitors see the world. The project had been in the works for five years but finally opened its 120 exhibits to the public. The Luminarium offers membership programs for individuals, families, grandparents and educators and on Thursday evenings will host special adult-only programs starting on the 20th.

[Garrett]

My favorite part was the model of Omaha with Mutual of Omaha’s new tower included:

Thanks for the photos. What was the purpose of the model?

Not quite sure. I did notice that they didn’t have Steelhouse on it yet. I think it was just highlighting different buildings downtown. You can see the numbered flags and they had a corresponding key on the edge of the table.

I imagine it’s just to have the model. Lots of cities have some sort of city model in a museum that’s normally meant to change as the city changes.

[Ben]

I was there this weekend with my 2 eldest (8 and 6).

Impressions - Omaha is lucky to have a place like this in our city. Going to be a game changer and really round out the tourist experience downtown once the riverfront park is open, as it'll feel like a connected masterplan...
-Parking is a nightmare. Hopefully additional lots open up as they finish the park construction - we parked up at the Park Service building and had to walk back.
-Very thoughtfully planned exhibits. Kids loved them, and they were intended to be though provoking on several levels - science/socio-economic/etc. Very interactive, without being "children's museum" play toys...
-While very kid appropriate (we didn't bring my 2 yr old, but she probably would have enjoyed parts), this will be a hit for all ages. Equally as enjoyable for me as it was for the kids. Adult only nights should be well attended.
-Architecture - the skin is sorta odd (and it whistled in yesterdays 50+ mph winds), the views inside, and across the river are amazing. And the structure gives them plenty of flexibility for exhibit planning / group events.

[skinzfan23]

I agree with your feedback. And our 2 year old did have a good time.

The parking was bad, but hopefully that will clear up once the attendance dies down a bit. (although with parks opening, that will make it busier, which is a good thing. There was also a concert at CHI, so normally you could possibly park in lot A and walk over the MLK ped bridge)

I didn't mention the views, but like you stated, they are amazing of both the river and skyline and only going to get better with the skyline.

[PotatoeEatsFish]

I said years ago we should put the Children’s Museum on the riverfront and we got a zoomer version of it

[Louie]

I said years ago we should put the Children’s Museum on the riverfront and we got a zoomer version of it

Is that not a good thing?

[Athomsfere]

Side note, its nice to see this already as a recommendation for out of towners on the Reddit page.

[ChadJK]

Apparently they included some space for a cafe. Liquor license request for “Fig” here

Fig has opened in the Kiewit Luminarium. Same owners as Lola's in Dundee.
https://www.figomaha.com/

[Omaha Cowboy]

Apparently they included some space for a cafe. Liquor license request for “Fig” here

Fig has opened in the Kiewit Luminarium. Same owners as Lola's in Dundee.
https://www.figomaha.com/

Right on.. Jeff Beals was talking about that on Grow Omaha last Saturday..

Can’t wait to get out there and check everything out …

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[stadsborgare]

Apparently they included some space for a cafe. Liquor license request for “Fig” here

Fig has opened in the Kiewit Luminarium. Same owners as Lola's in Dundee.
https://www.figomaha.com/

Is the cafe accessible without having to pay museum admission?