Scientific Method

It was a sign of the times: After a failed tax levy in late 2007, COSI Toledo closed up shop. The suffering economy had taken its toll on the science center.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the center
reopened on October 10 with a facelift and a new name (Imagination Station) and with new exhibits joining old favorites.

“We are still a science center focusing on inspiring kids in science education,” says Executive Director Lori Hauser. “There is a similar mission of wanting to inspire our youth to get excited and spark an interest about science.”

It’s hard to imagine a child not being interested in science after riding a bicycle over a high wire or experiencing a simulated category-5-level hurricane — two of the center’s interactive exhibits.

Unlike its previous incarnation, Imagination Station has added traveling exhibits to its repertory including “Animation,” opening January 30, which explores the science behind cartoons.

“We always want to make sure we are adding on new experiences and keeping it fresh,” explains Hauser. “It’s making sure we’re delivering that science education and keeping it a very vital and engaging experience for the entire community.”

That mission is inspiring, and so is the dedication of a group of COSI staffers who held out in hopes that the center would
reopen. The small group, including Hauser, continued the center’s educational outreach programs while a new levy was
explored and finally passed in November 2008.

The wait was certainly worth it to Hauser.

“A year ago today, it was all shuttered and closed, and to hear voices and hear kids coming in is just really terrific.”

For more information, call 419/244-2674 or visit imaginationstationtoledo.org.