The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio is a Fascinating Museum

The Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio, better known to locals as COSI, is a hands-on science museum dedicated to providing "a better understanding of science, industry, health, and history through involvement in exhibits, demonstrations, and a variety of educational activities and experiences.'' Designed for all ages to enjoy but most appealing to children, COSI is one of Columbus' most popular attractions, especially among school-aged youth.

The idea for a science and industry museum in Columbus was proposed in 1958 by account executive Sandy Hallock II, and a few years later, the city's Memorial Hall began to be renovated in order to accommodate the museum. COSI opened to the public on Easter Sunday 1964 with more than 5,000 guests arriving on opening day. In 1999, the Center of Science and Industry moved out of Memorial Hall to a new location on West Broad Street, which included a 320,000 square foot building designed by architect Arata Isozaki. The museum welcomes about a half-million visitors each year.

This unusually-shaped building contains three floors, each housing a variety of exhibits and other attractions. The exhibits at COSI include Space, where kids and their families will learn about terms like gravity, action and reaction, and thrust. Visitors can ride in a space capsule, test out their astronaut skills, and view live NASA TV. In Ocean, another popular exhibit, kids contemplate the physical nature of water and learn about ocean habitats and exploration.

In an exhibit known as Progress, guests will explore the same "town'' during two different centuries, learning about the differences in technology between the 19th and the 20th centuries. They can send Morse Code, experiment with electricity, and even be on television. The Gadgets exhibit is an excellent interactive, hands-on section of COSI that explores how gadgets solve problems. Guests can check out the pulley chair, laser table, and learn what it takes to build a bridge.

COSI is also home to a local working radio station, WOSU. Visitors to the on-site station can participate in digital media activities and sign up for media literacy workshops. They might even have the opportunity to star in their own broadcast.

For small children, the Little Kidspace is ideal. This section of the Center for Science and industry is designed with the museum's youngest visitors in mind and includes plenty of room to slide, climb, splash, build, and enjoy a number of other fun activities. Outside in the Big Science Park, visitors become part of an experiment with the larger than life exhibits found in this section of the museum.

Aside from permanent exhibits, COSI also sponsors a number of traveling, temporary exhibits each year and is home to an Extreme Screen Theater with an 83 foot-wide, 7-story screen that puts viewers in the middle of the action. A variety of science-oriented films are shown on a rotating basis. The center also offers live shows including a dive show (part of the Ocean exhibit), a weather show, and a chance to check out the electrostatic generator.

Family programs and summer camps (for kids up to age 14) are offered regularly and the museum is also available to rent for birthday parties and other special occasions. A fairly expansive caf, is located onsite and there's also a large retail store inside COSI as well.