Museum Of Science Plans To Renovate Space, Establish Public Science Common

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Museum of Science, Boston is set to start construction on a new space that will renovate the Cahners Theater and open the door to new opportunities and events.

The 10,000-square-foot renovation will establish the Public Science Common, which will serve as the central hub for the museum’s three new Centers for Public Science Learning: the Center for Life Sciences, the Center for the Environment, and the Center for Space Sciences.

“The current space we’re talking about is occupied by a brick, windowless theater that served us really well. It’s called the Cahners Theater,” described Todd Sperry, chief marketing officer at the Museum of Science.

“We’re going to be replacing that with shimmering glass floor-to-ceiling, 270-degree views that look out across the Charles [River] to Boston on one side and to Cambridge on the other,” he said.

The Public Science Common will be able to accommodate up to 700 people and will open up to views of the Charles through three glass walls.

The flexible, multimedia technology planned for the space “allows us to do anything from hosting events to robotics competitions to lecture series” and school trips, dance performances, and theater shows, shared Sperry.

“The Public Science Common will allow us to lead the world in an exciting new direction for engaging the public with science,” said Tim Ritchie, president of the Museum of Science, in a press release about the project.

“It’s going to transform and really recreate a new part of the skyline,” said Sperry.

The renovation is funded by a donation from Bloomberg Philanthropies, although those involved with the project declined to share the exact cost.

The Museum of Science said that they anticipate the Public Science Common will open in 2026.

WBZ NewsRadio's Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.

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