Enabling to directly experience and comprehend science is the aim of ScienceCenter-Network. Our common ambition is to fascinate, to motivate thinking ahead and to enable a casual, light-hearted access to sciences and technology for all ages. Our manifold offers invite self-determined learning and hands-on experimentation.

Unlike many other countries, Austria did not have a Science Center in form of a specialized museum when ScienceCenter-Network started. Since 2005, the year when SCN was founded, the situation changed: in March 2009 inatura Naturschau Dornbirn opened their interacive science zones. In June 2009 the Naturkundemuseum Haus der Natur in Salzburg opened a new tract as a science center. Since July 2010 the EXPI in Gotschuchen (Rosental, Carinthia) offeres science to touch. The opening of the big new Science Center Welios in Wels (Upper Austria) with its focus on energy is planned for Spring 2011. Furhtermore, there are a number of protagonists using comparable concepts – science center activities – in their sphere of action. 

Almost 100 partners have currently joined the network and contribute actively to the community by developing, offering or using interactive science center activities troughout Austria. They work together within ScienceCenter-Network to exchange experience, discuss strategies and ideas, develop cooperative projects and be more visible. (find the list of partners here)

The Network is coordinated by the association ScienceCenter-Network who aims to make science center activities more popular, to spread, encourage, improve and investigate them.

Initiator of the Network and president of the association is Margit Fischer, wife of the Austrian President. She has been engaged in the international science center community for more than 15 years.