Our Mission

The mission of the Francis Malcolm Science Center is to provide a unique environment for learning experiences in science, nature and astronomy. Public, private, home and pre-school students, as well as student and adult groups with disabilities, may enjoy programs in our planetarium theater, as well as both indoor and outdoor settings for classes on science and nature. Public programs are offered to the community at large throughout the year, encouraging family participation in science and space exploration.

Our Impact

Since opening in 1983, the Francis Malcolm Science Center has taught and inspired thousands of children. The only center of its kind north of Bangor, FMSC is home to the northern-most planetarium theater in the United States. Approximately 6,000 visitors of all ages attend our programs and events each year. While the general public enjoys activities such as snowshoe hikes, wreath making and learning how to make apple cider, the heart of the Center’s work is its outreach to County students and their teachers. Adult handicapped groups are also frequent visitors to the Center. 

In addition to the planetarium theater, FMSC offers a natural history museum and a 140+ acre outdoor nature classroom. The outdoor classroom offers an immersion into life and environmental science experiences, reinforcing its content with a unique “hands-on” discovery approach learning style.