Grand Opening of Science and Learning Center
NPS Digest
Dept. of the Interior
National Park Service
Crater Lake National Park
August 24, 2006
The grand opening of the new Crater Lake Science and Learning
Center will take place today.
Crater Lake National Park is one of America’s oldest national
parks and has been a source of public enjoyment and inspiration
for over 100 years. Millions of Americans have gazed on the
sublime beauty of Crater Lake, but few realize that under this
beautiful veneer lies an outstanding outdoor laboratory and
classroom – a place that draws scientist, teachers and students
to investigate, instruct and learn from and about our natural
world. From scenery to science and education, the park’s value
to society is expanding.
The idea for this new Center was born from the collective vision
of the park and its partners to establish Crater Lake National
Park as a wellspring for research information, a proving ground
for educational techniques and a source of inspiration for
artistic
expression. By supporting scientists and
their investigations, we will discover more and more about this
special park. By connecting scientists with teachers and artists
and in turn with students and the visiting public, Crater Lake
National Park will become a focal point for lifelong learning
and inspiration.
The final renovations to two park historic
structures – the original superintendent’s residence and the
chief naturalist’s residence – have been completed. These
buildings provide office and residential facilities for Center
patrons. In addition, visiting scientists, teachers, artists and
students will have access to conference facilities, workspace,
laboratories, library facilities and museum collections in the
park to support their work.
The Crater Lake Science and Learning Center was established to
mold a new future and expand the value of the park beyond its
spectacular scenery. It was created from dreams and imagination
and made real through the perseverance and hard work of the
park’s staff and its many partners. It is sustained through
generous public and private financial support including entrance
fees and private donations, as well as generous donations from
the JELD-WEN Foundation and The Kinsman Foundation. The Center
is operated in collaboration with the Oregon Institute of
Technology and Southern Oregon University.
Crater Lake has joined a small, but growing network of other
National Park Service research learning centers across the
country that are working together to facilitate research and
provide educational opportunities for everyone. This new
facility is for the scientist, teacher, student and artist. We
welcome them here to lend their talent, share their discoveries,
and teach the lessons that will inspire the next generation to
explore, learn more and enrich us all.
For more information contact: Crater Lake Science and Learning
Center, Crater Lake National Park, P.O. Box 7, Crater Lake, OR
97604. The phone number is 541-594-3000; the web site is
www.nps.gov/crla.
Contact Information
Name: Michael Justin
