A Special Day!

Exactly 49 years ago today, COSI opened its doors on Easter Sunday in the old Memorial Hall on 280 E. Broad St.

Sandy Hallock (read more about him at http://www.cosi.org/about-cosi/history/) had developed a dream for a new Columbus institution based on his lifelong interest in science and technology. His enthusiasm and vision gained the critical support of Hershel Stephan, Walter English, Preston Wolfe and the Franklin Historical Society Board (including Tad Jeffrey as a member). On opening day they welcomed over 5,000 people to see this new entity, COSI, helping launch a new era of what has become known as the worldwide science center movement -- with COSI one of its recognized founders and leaders.

Author: David Chesebrough | Continue Reading

March

2013

March Ratness at COSI

Every spring, March Madness sweeps the nation, turning even the most casual basketball fan into a rabid, number-crunching, bracket-obsessed enthusiast. But at COSI, we're in on the hoops hype every day, year-round, with fierce showdowns of our own.

We're talking rat basketball.

Author: Madeline Roth | Continue Reading

March

2013

What is Thundersnow?

Earlier this week we had a snow forecast that could really have affected our operations here at COSI. I was watching the weather forecasts really closely to determine how much of the possible 10 inches of snow we could get here in Columbus and one of the forecasters mentioned the possibility of thundersnow. This is a term I've heard of before, even experienced but I really don't know a lot about it. So I turned to our resident science guy extraordinaire, Steve Whitt and asked him what in the world is thundersnow? How does it form and what is it?

Author: Jaclyn Reynolds | Continue Reading

March

2013

Touch the Big Bang

So much of modern science, (the search for the Higgs boson, the attempts to make nuclear fusion a reality, and even the latest dinosaur discovery) are too far away, too hot, too cold, too large or too small to get our hands on. But here's some modern science you can actually reach out and touch.

The Cosmic Microwave Background - as seen by Planck. Credit: ESA and the Planck Collaboration

Author: Steve Whitt | Continue Reading

March

2013

Printing in 3D

As COSI's Technology & Innovation strategic area of focus lead, my favorite part of my job is meeting creative and innovative people. Last week COSI hosted The Columbus Idea Foundry's Ethan Dicks, and his group, The Central Ohio RepRap and Makerbot Operators User Group (CORMUG). They teach and learn about 3D printing, and if you're interested in tinkering, rapid prototyping or micro-manufacturing, this is the group to know.