Free and Open to the public!
We are open to the public Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. We have a lot of fun new interactive exhibits, so if you haven't visited in a while, it might be time again! In alignment with SUNY policies, masks are not currently required in our facility. If you are planning to visit with a group of 10 or more people, please fill out the group visit request form on our School Field Trips and Group Visits page so we can ensure adequate staffing.
Special Hours for March
Saturday, March 15 the AJ Read Science Discovery Center will be closed. Planetarium shows will happen as scheduled.
Saturday, March 29 the SDC will close early, at 1:30 p.m.
Special Events
Any scheduled special events will be published on our Facebook page.
Tropical Fruit Day 2025
Join the AJ Read Science Discovery Center and SUNY Oneonta Biology department for Tropical Fruit Day 2025! The event is free and open to the public! We will be offering samples of a wide variety of tropical fruits and spices, as well as displays about the fruits, where they’re from, and why they’re special. Walk-ins are welcome, but reserving a ticket guarantees you a bento box full of exotic tropical fruit samples. Please reserve only one ticket per family. This is a family friendly event and your whole family is invited to attend, but you are limited to one bento box per family. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Call 607-436-2011 or email Anna at anna.rutenbeck@oneonta.edu.
Field Trips and Group Visits
The A.J. Read Science Discovery Center makes a great destination for a school field trip, especially for grades 3-5. We have a variety of engaging, hands-on STEM exhibits and demos, and the SUNY Oneonta planetarium is one of the most advanced in the region. There is no cost to visit us.
Accessible and Sensory Safe
We try hard to be accessible to all! Our building is ADA compliant with reserved spots not far from the southeast door, closest to the Science Discovery Center. The SDC itself is also accessible, and people in wheelchairs have reported that our exhibits are easy to navigate. We have a number of demonstrations and exhibits that are accessible to those who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. The SDC is often very quiet. We do not play music, and most of our exhibits do not produce loud noises. If you have a specific sensory or accessibility need, please feel free to contact us at sdc@oneonta.edu or 607-436-2011 with any concerns or inquiries!
Give to the SDC
The A.J. Read Science Discovery Center is able to remain free and open to the public thanks to the generous support of visitors like you. If you enjoy the SDC or what we do, please consider giving a monetary donation at the link below.
Contact
Anna Rutenbeck, Coordinator of Science Outreach Activities
anna.rutenbeck@oneonta.edu