San Francisco's Exploratorium Announces Opening Day for Vanguard Museum and 21st Century Learning Center at Pier 15 on the Embarcadero

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 2, 2012) - The Exploratorium today announces that the much-anticipated opening date for the iconic museum's new home on Pier 15 on the Embarcadero at the heart of the waterfront, has been confirmed for Wednesday, April 17, 2013. Known for creating original, interactive exhibits on display at more than 1,000 science centers, museums and public spaces around the world, the Exploratorium will use the new space to reach more people than ever before and expand its mission to change the way the world learns.

The Exploratorium set a goal of raising $300 million for the construction and transition to the new space, and to establish an endowment to support the museum's programming and exhibit development into the future. The $250 million raised to date brings the Exploratorium more than 80% of the way to fulfilling the capital campaign, with construction at the new site now approximately 90% complete. The new location at Pier 15 will triple the space indoors and out, double the number of classrooms and triple the capacity for professional development programs for science educators.

"The opening date is set and we are grateful to all those who have supported us in making this move possible," said Exploratorium Executive Director Dennis M. Bartels. "The scale of our new home on Pier 15 will not only allow us to welcome a magnitude of new visitors, but also broaden our impact around the world by developing new experiences that make science accessible to all; learning environments that inspire creative and critical thinking; and methods of teaching that excite students, educators, and adults alike."

The Exploratorium also announced today the addition of Craig Silverstein and Anthony F. Earley Jr. to its Board of Directors. Silverstein is the Dean of Infrastructure at Khan Academy, where he focuses on the growth and stability of the innovative online learning platform. Previously he was Director of Technology at Google, the very first employee hired by founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Earley is the Chairman, CEO, and President of PG&E Corporation, and a veteran in the energy industry. Prior to joining PG&E in 2011, Earley served as Chairman and CEO of DTE Energy and, as former Chairman of the Edison Electric Institute, was directly involved in the development of national policies on energy, the environment and climate change issues. 

"The Exploratorium's experiential approach to learning makes it an incubator for innovation outside of school, where most learning actually takes place," said new Exploratorium Board member Craig Silverstein. "The Exploratorium's methods of discovery and inquiry have made it a training ground for scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs. The big idea for all of us in the Valley is to find new ways to inspire critical thinking and independent reasoning skills."

"With its focus on science and technology education among youth, the Exploratorium is a natural partner for us in terms of both community investment and workforce development," said Tony Earley, PG&E Chairman, CEO, and President. "As a customer of PG&E, the Exploratorium's net-zero goal is a model for promoting energy efficiency and sustainability."

Silverstein and Earley are among a growing crop of young entrepreneurs and executives to recently join the Exploratorium's Board, including Reid Hoffman, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of LinkedIn and Partner at Greylock Partners; Jack Dorsey, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Twitter and CEO and Co-Founder of Square; and Dan Yue, Founder and Chief Product Officer of Playdom; Jeff Huber, Senior Vice President, Google; and Shona Brown, Senior Vice President, Google.org.

"Silicon Valley is the innovation engine for the U.S. Its leaders have always supported the Exploratorium from our early days with Gordon Moore, Robert Noyce, David Packard and Bill Hewlett. The new generation of Silicon Valley leaders are disrupting existing business models at an accelerating pace. They want to do the same with their philanthropy, so we welcome them as we drive our mission to transform the way the world learns," says Board Chairman George Cogan. Cogan, Director of Bain & Company, Inc.'s technology practice, is leading the Exploratorium's $300 million capital campaign.

The new Exploratorium will open on Pier 15 on the Embarcadero with 600 exhibits, 25 percent of which will be brand new installations, designed to take advantage of the 330,000-square-foot indoor and outdoor space, including 1.5 acres of public outdoor space. In October 2012, the Exploratorium's new campus received a prestigious Excellence in Business Award (Ebbies) from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

After almost 44 years at the Palace of Fine Arts, this historic move will place the Exploratorium at the heart of San Francisco's waterfront, giving visitors opportunities to experience the Bay in completely new ways. On opening day, Wednesday, April 17, 2013, there will be special programming and activities between 10:00am and 10:00pm. For the latest updates and to learn more about the new Exploratorium campus visit www.exploratorium.edu/piers.

About the Exploratorium
The Exploratorium is the global leader in informal learning, igniting curiosity and inspiring creativity in people of all ages. The world-renowned museum creates original, interactive exhibits, on display at more than 1,000 science centers, museums and public spaces around the world. Dedicated to education reform in and out of the classroom, the Exploratorium is a premier professional development center for educators and a creator of award-winning educational resources. Since 1969, the Exploratorium has influenced generations of entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, teachers, students, children, museum professionals and everyday doers, reaching 180 million people annually around the globe. Learn more about the Exploratorium's activities at Twitter.com/exploratorium or Facebook.com/exploratorium