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}}</ref> After voters voted down a second levy in November 2007, COSI closed due to lack of funding on [[December 31]], [[2007]].<ref name="Welcome to COSI Toledo"/> The most common visitor complaints were that museum was too expensive, small in size, and that parking was a bit far away.<ref>[http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3719494526 Cosi Toledo - Toledo, OH 43604 - Reviews: Banquet & Reception Sites, Museums<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledoans]] also acknowledged COSI's lack of proper management, among other things.<ref>[http://www.toledotalk.com/cgi-bin/comments.pl/12/2031 Cosi Woes - id 2031 - Toledo Talk topic<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
}}</ref> After voters voted down a second levy in November 2007, COSI closed due to lack of funding on [[December 31]], [[2007]].<ref name="Welcome to COSI Toledo"/> The most common visitor complaints were that museum was too expensive, small in size, and that parking was a bit far away.<ref>[http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3719494526 Cosi Toledo - Toledo, OH 43604 - Reviews: Banquet & Reception Sites, Museums<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> [[Toledo, Ohio|Toledoans]] also acknowledged COSI's lack of proper management, among other things.<ref>[http://www.toledotalk.com/cgi-bin/comments.pl/12/2031 Cosi Woes - id 2031 - Toledo Talk topic<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


On November 4, 2008, Lucas County voters approved an operating levy for the science center enabling the facility to reopen in the Fall of 2009. The science center will open its doors with a new name (The Toledo Science Center) and a new vision for future success in the community.{{Fact|date=December 2008}} In the interim, the science center will continue to offer outreach programming to all students in Ohio and Michigan.
On November 4, 2008, Lucas County voters approved an operating levy for the science center enabling the facility to reopen in the Fall of 2009. In the interim, the science center will continue to offer outreach programming to all students in Ohio and Michigan.


==Educational programs==
==Educational programs==

Revision as of 21:06, 6 January 2009

The Toledo Science Center (Formerly COSI)
File:Cosi3.JPG
Map
EstablishedMarch 1, 1997
DissolvedDecember 31, 2007
LocationToledo, Ohio
TypeScience museum
Websitewww.cositoledo.org
COSI's main entrance at 1 Discovery Way, with Fifth Third Center at One SeaGate in the distance.

The Toledo Science Center (formerly the Center of Science and Industry (COSI)) is a non-profit, hands-on science museum located on the riverfront in downtown Toledo, Ohio. The facility has over 300 exhibits for "children of all ages."[1]

After tax levies failed in 2006[2] and 2007, COSI was forced to close its doors to the public due to lack of funding.[3] In 2008, voters approved an operating levy, enabling the facility to reopen in the fall of 2009 as The Toledo Science Center.

History

In 1984, the Portside Festival Marketplace opened along the Maumee River with the hope of revitalizing downtown Toledo. In 1990, the marketplace closed, leaving a vacant 100,000 ft² (9290 m²) modern facility.[4] A committee, appointed by the mayor, was charged with finding the best use for the site. Researching options, committee members heard repeatedly the need for an educational family attraction. As a result, COSI Columbus was approached regarding the development of a similar institution in Toledo. Together, a structure was developed making COSI Toledo an independent, not-for-profit organization with a board of trustees from Northwest Ohio, while taking advantage of the experience and resources of COSI Columbus.

A Rube Goldbergian-style machine in the main lobby that creates music via user-dropped billiard balls.

A major fundraising campaign raised $9.5 million dollars, surpassing the original goal by $4.5 million dollars. Additionally, the state supported the project with $10 million dollars.[4] Another major step in establishing COSI Toledo was the transfer of the facility to COSI at a value of $16 million dollars. On 1 March 1997, COSI opened its doors to the public.[5] The facility attracts an average of 250,000 visitors per year[6], and over 2.5 million since opening.[4]

In 2005, COSI won a National Award for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the nation’s highest honor for extraordinary public service by a museum or library.[7] The award was presented by Laura Bush at a White House ceremony in January 2006.[8]

On July 28, 2006, COSI Toledo and COSI Columbus legally split so each could focus on their own financial troubles.[9] Later that year, Berrien Springs Public Schools awarded a 2006 Teachers' Choice Awards to COSI for its distance learning program.[10] After voters voted down a second levy in November 2007, COSI closed due to lack of funding on December 31, 2007.[3] The most common visitor complaints were that museum was too expensive, small in size, and that parking was a bit far away.[11] Toledoans also acknowledged COSI's lack of proper management, among other things.[12]

On November 4, 2008, Lucas County voters approved an operating levy for the science center enabling the facility to reopen in the Fall of 2009. In the interim, the science center will continue to offer outreach programming to all students in Ohio and Michigan.

Educational programs

COSI, while closed to the public, is continuing to offer its educational outreach programs to schools, including Distance Learning, which provides interactive distance learning for science in the classroom, Workshop on Wheels which provides classroom sized workshops, and Science Festivals (Extreme Science Days and Family Science Nights) which are science demonstrations combined with hands-on exploration stations at schools. All of these programs are aligned with the Ohio Science Academic Content Standards and The Michigan Curriculum Framework,[13] In the past, COSI also offered Project ISIS, which was an Inquiry and Science Induction for Schools, and UPCLOSE, which was a youth development program for teenage girls.[13] COSI also hosted field trips, hosting approximately 80,000 students for such in 2006,[6] , scout programs to give badges to Girl Scouts, and Webelos Boy Scouts,[13] and Camp-I, overnight stays.[13]

The Toledo Harbor Lighthouse's original Fresnel lens on display.

References

  1. ^ Erika Ray (2006). "Hot spots: New attractions take center stage at popular locales". Discover 2006. The Blade (newspaper). Retrieved 2007-04-16. COSI has more than 300 exhibits for children of all ages
  2. ^ Jenni Laidman (2006-11-09). "COSI seeks interim financial solution". The Blade (newspaper). Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  3. ^ a b Welcome to COSI Toledo
  4. ^ a b c "COSI Toledo". Cultural Facilities Projects. Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  5. ^ Big Wheel at COSI Toledo, vol. 59, Toledo, Ohio: The Blade (newspaper), 1997-03-01
  6. ^ a b "FAQ for COSI Toledo". COSI Toledo. Retrieved 2007-04-10.
  7. ^ "Three Museums and Three Libraries to Receive Nation's Highest Honor for Extraordinary Community Service" (Press release). Institute of Museum and Library Services. 2005-11-30. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  8. ^ toledoblade.com - Laura Bush lauds COSI Toledo
  9. ^ COSI Columbus splitting with Toledo counterpart - Business First of Columbus:
  10. ^ Janine Lim. "Teachers' Choice Awards: Best Content Providers". Berrien Springs Public Schools. Retrieved 2007-04-16.
  11. ^ Cosi Toledo - Toledo, OH 43604 - Reviews: Banquet & Reception Sites, Museums
  12. ^ Cosi Woes - id 2031 - Toledo Talk topic
  13. ^ a b c d "Programs". COSI Toledo. Retrieved 2007-04-16.

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