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Open daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Welcome! The Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center is where inspiration and excitement collide. We bring science and technology to life, connecting visitors and classrooms with everyday experiences to spark curiosity and wonder. Beyond our incredible hands-on exhibitions, we’re dedicated to reaching Pittsburgh’s diverse community through dynamic outreach programs. Located on Pittsburgh’s scenic North Shore along the Ohio River, the Science Center welcomes everyone, with many options so that all visitors can join in the adventure!
Opened in 1991 as the Carnegie Science Center, the museum connects science and technology to everyday life through fun, hands-on experiences.
Thanks to a transformational $65 million gift from the Kamin Family, the museum was renamed the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center in September 2025.
Ranked among the top science centers in the United States.
Features 400+ hands-on exhibits, Rangos Giant Cinema, Buhl Planetarium, a Cold War-era submarine, two live-demonstration theaters, and the Miniature Railroad & Village®.
Kamin Science Center understands, respects, and values physical, cultural, economic, and social differences among our visitors and staff.
Photo caption: L-R: Jason Brown, Henry Buhl, Jr., director of Kamin Science Center and vice president of Carnegie Museums; Geovette Washington, chair of the Carnegie Museums’ Board of Trustees; Carole and Dan Kamin; and Dr. Steven Knapp, president and chief executive officer of Carnegie Museums). Photo from Jan. 23, 2024 during the announcement of the Kamin’s historic $65 million donation to the Science Center.
The Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center honors the generosity and vision of Dan and Carole Kamin. In 2024, the Kamin family made a $65 million gift to support the Science Center’s future, the largest in our history.
In recognition of this transformational support, the museum was renamed the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center in September 2025. Their gift strengthens the work of the most visited museum in Pittsburgh, ensuring that curiosity, creativity, and discovery remain at the heart of everything we do.
As a child, Dan Kamin spent countless hours at the Buhl Planetarium, where he developed a fascination with astronomy. Inspired by those visits, he built his own telescope as a teenager, which is now on display on the 1st Floor of the Science Center. Those experiences left a lasting impression and gave him a strong appreciation for the role the Science Center plays in sparking curiosity and inspiring young people.
Dan followed in his grandfather’s footsteps with a career in commercial real estate, and he often reflected on his early love of science:
“If I wasn’t a real estate guy, I could have been an astronomer.”
– Dan Kamin
Daniel G. Kamin built his own telescope when he was a teenager.
The Kamins’ gift makes it possible to expand programming, improve exhibitions, and create new opportunities for exploration and discovery. It is also helping to bring to life major new experiences for our visitors to enjoy, including:
Thanks to the Kamins, the Science Center will continue to inspire learners of all ages while building on its legacy as a national hub for STEM education in our region.
Read more about the Kamin family’s impact:
Kamin Science Center opened on Oct. 5, 1991, as the Carnegie Science Center. Like the nearby rivers merging to form the Ohio, two distinct local institutions came together to create this vibrant museum.
On Oct. 24, 1939, Pittsburgh’s Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science opened as the fifth major planetarium in the United States, funded by an $11 million gift from the Buhl Foundation in memory of founder Henry Buhl Jr. The planetarium became a center for science education, featuring the “Theater of the Stars” with a Zeiss Model II Star Projector, a Foucault pendulum, and a rooftop siderostat telescope. Known for pioneering interactive exhibits and supporting scientific exploration, the Buhl trained military personnel in celestial navigation during WWII, launched the Miniature Railroad & Village® in 1954, and started the Junior Space Academy in 1958 to inspire young scientists.
By the 1980s, the original Buhl building was aging, and expansion was no longer feasible. The decision was made to relocate to the current Kamin Science Center site. During planning, the Carnegie Institute expressed interest in merging with the Buhl, and in 1987, the merger was approved. Groundbreaking for the new building took place on Oct. 5, 1989, and Carnegie Science Center opened two years later with the Henry Buhl Jr. Planetarium and Observatory as a central feature.
As a child, Dan Kamin held an unwavering fascination for astronomy and spent countless hours at the Buhl Planetarium. He even built his own telescope, which is on display. Dan’s experiences gave him a strong appreciation for the role the Science Center plays in educating and inspiring young people. He would later follow in his grandfather’s footsteps and pursue a career in commercial real estate. But he later recounted that “if I wasn’t a real estate guy, I could have been an astronomer.” In 2024, Dan and his wife Carole provided a transformational $65 million gift to the Science Center. In honor of this donation, the museum was renamed the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center in September 2025, leaving a lasting legacy for a young boy’s love of the night sky. Through this financial support, the Science Center will continue to inspire new generations of science enthusiasts as a national leader in its field. Learn more about the Kamin family’s legacy.
The Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center is one of the four Carnegie Museums. The organization’s rich scientific and cultural legacy was created by Pittsburgh industrialist Andrew Carnegie, who envisioned a cultural complex where people of all ages and backgrounds could access art, science, music, and literature. Originally named the Carnegie Institute, the campus included the Museum of Natural History, Museum of Art, Library, and Music Hall, and opened in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood on Nov. 25, 1895. To share global innovations in these fields, Carnegie founded the Carnegie International art exhibition in 1896 and established fossil dinosaur collections that continue to draw visitors. By the time of his death in 1919, Carnegie had donated most of his wealth, leaving a legacy of knowledge and culture through these institutions.
Today, Kamin Science Center, a Carnegie Museum, is globally recognized for its innovative exhibits, planetarium shows, and community programs.
^Kamin Science Center Executive Committee
*Carnegie Museums Trustee
To contact, please call the Directors’ Office at 412.237.3326.
^ Kamin Science Center Executive Committee
As one of the best museums in Pittsburgh for both families and adults, Kamin Science Center offers a range of activities for kids and interactive exhibits for all. If you’re looking for something to do in Pittsburgh, we’ve got you covered!
Check out our daily calendar to see what fun activities are happening at Kamin Science Center today and beyond. Click here to learn about discount tickets.
There are many Pittsburgh museum exhibits to explore. Kamin Science Center is one of four Carnegie Museums. Visit some of the best Pittsburgh exhibits at the other Carnegie Museums:
If you’re not from Pittsburgh, consider exploring the opportunities here. Pittsburgh offers a space for innovators to make an impact, build community, and live with purpose. Discover more at pittsburghregion.org.
We encourage questions and value your feedback. Remember, asking questions is a key aspect of scientific thinking—any type of question is welcome! We’re always striving to improve the visitor experience, and your feedback plays a crucial role in helping us improve. Fill out our feedback form to help us create one of the best museum experiences in Pittsburgh.
The PPG SCIENCE PAVILION® is your destination for cutting-edge STEM education, career exploration programs, events for the community, and private gatherings—all in one inspiring space that everyone will enjoy!
The PPG Science Pavilion is the crown jewel of SPARK! A Campaign for Kamin Science Center, launched in 2014. Thanks to the incredible generosity of over 350 donors, the campaign raised a total of $46 million to support the Science Center’s strategic initiatives. A special thanks goes to PPG and the PPG Foundation for their lead contribution of $7.5 million, making this vision a reality!
The PPG Science Pavilion includes nine FedEx STEM Learning Labs, offering 6,000 square feet of dedicated lab and classroom space. These specialized labs are designed for hands-on, inquiry-based learning in biology, chemistry, and physics and also serve as versatile spaces for teacher professional development workshops and meetings.
