Exploratorio - Centro Ciencia Viva de Coimbra (The Exploratory - Coimbra Live Science Center), Coimbra

The Exploratory - Coimbra Live Science Center is a pioneering institution dedicated to promoting scientific culture in Portugal. Established in 1995, it holds the distinction of being the first science center in the country. Since its inception, it has played a vital role in fostering public engagement with science, particularly in the Central Region of Portugal. The center joined the Ciencia Viva network in 1998 and gained public utility status in 2000. Partnering with institutions like the University of Coimbra and the City Council, it won the Ecsite Mariano Gago Award in 2018 for science communication.

Originally housed in the Municipal House of Culture, the Exploratory later moved to a dedicated facility on the left bank of the Mondego River. The construction of its permanent building in 2008 marked a significant milestone, followed by the inauguration of a new, modern structure in 2015. This new space spans 2,500 square meters and is divided into two fully operational wings. One of its most notable features is the Hemisphere, a dome-shaped cinema room that offers immersive 360-degree projections of science-themed films.

The Exploratory hosts a variety of engaging exhibits. The center’s flagship exhibition, In Shape with Science, was launched in October 2015 and is dedicated to health and well-being. It is organized into seven thematic avenues, each corresponding to a human body system, all radiating from a central area representing the brain. Additionally, the center has hosted temporary exhibitions such as Pordata Viva: The Power of Data, which focused on Portuguese society from a statistical perspective and was initially presented at the Knowledge Pavilion in Lisbon.

The Hemisphere features a diverse film program, with hemispheric projections of films such as The Girl Who Walked Backwards, Night of the Vampire, Natural Selection, and Escher’s Universe. These visual experiences offer an engaging and educational perspective on various scientific themes.

Through its dynamic exhibitions, immersive experiences, and partnerships with academic and municipal institutions, the Exploratory-Coimbra Live Science Center continues to be a cornerstone of scientific learning and discovery in Portugal.