In these new, discovery-filled spaces, there will be 140 interactive exhibits, the most modern planetarium in the country, emerging STEAM laboratories, scientific and cultural education, and festive surprises.
The impressive exhibition of the Science Island (Mokslo sala) is designed for the whole family. Young visitors will be able to explore and discover, while older visitors will see science in a new light and fall in love with it all over again.
Photo by A. Aleksandravičius
We believe that the opening of Science Island is highly anticipated in Kaunas and throughout Lithuania. So, we are preparing responsibly for this science celebration. I'm sure that the building's unique architecture will amaze every visitor. They'll love the variety of exhibits, activities, and Lithuania's only planetarium," says Aistė Lukoševičiūtė, director of Science Island.
According to Tadas Stankevičius, Director of Kaunas IN, Science Island could become the most significant boost to the city’s tourism in recent years. "While the Žalgiris Arena and Darius and Girėnas Stadium attract record numbers of visitors during concerts and events, these flows are limited to specific periods, creating seasonal peaks. Meanwhile, Science Island could become a permanent attraction, encouraging people to plan trips to Kaunas all year round," says T. Stankevičius.
As a city tourism promotion agency, Kaunas IN aims not only to create a new tourist product for families around Science Island but also to supplement the existing offerings with this new museum. We hope this project will benefit the entire tourism ecosystem. It includes hotels, restaurants, and other service providers," adds the director.
A fun weekend of entertainment awaits the first visitors of Science Island, starting Friday evening. A team of scientists from N2 will host "Science Storm"—a fun, interactive show revealing knowledge through experiments. The bravest visitors can "feel" science with their own hands. On Friday at 5 PM, a lecture on generative AI will welcome attendees. The speaker will be Antanas Bernatonis, a pioneer of this field in Lithuania, who will share insights and useful tips. The director of Science Island, Aistė Lukoševičiūtė, will share an inspiring story. It is about the founding of Lithuania's first science and innovation center in Kaunas. The evening will end with a concert by Free Finga. This weekend, there will be science demos, lectures, and "LitBot" robot contests. Rigonda Skorulskienė, president of the Physics Teachers’ Association, will discuss learning processes.
Science Island is the creation of the Spanish-Australian niche architectural group SMAR and architect G. Natkevičius – "Sun never sets for science." The main highlight of the building, located on the Nemunas riverbank, is a 27-meter diameter disk weighing 250 tons, which is supported by just one beam.
The walls of Science Island seem weightless, like a cosmic atmosphere. In reality, a light, puffed aluminum veil hides its massive, complex structure. This material is from Canada. No second interior decorated with it exists in the Baltic countries.
Science Island's architecture, photos of Science Island, auth. A. Aleksandravičius
Science Island's visual identity and logo use a dot matrix. It symbolizes the blend of science and creativity. Just as curiosity links fields for a common discovery, the dot matrix unites elements into a whole. A key part of this identity is the space for exploration. It allows the Science Island' brand to grow, shaped by all who work in and visit the center. The creative duo of the “ACID” studio – Julius Seniūnas and Rokas Sutkaitis – created this visual identity.
Photos of Science Island, auth. A. Aleksandravičius
Science Island invites you on a journey through space and unknown stars. It blends science with entertainment and curiosity with discoveries.
The exhibition “Man. Nature. Machine" is a unique space. It has 140 interactive exhibits. They challenge the myth that fun isn't meaningful. In this long-term exhibition, created by the Polish team "Trias Avi," seven main themes are presented:
Human body and health
Food
Nature and the environment
Waste and pollution
Energy
Transport
Communication
Additionally, a special zone for the youngest – preschool-age visitors – has been created.
Each part of the exhibition invites visitors to decide our future: what will we eat, how will we travel, and how will we sort waste? Once made, these decisions are sent via light signals to the exhibition's central element. It is the Island's heart. It symbolizes how our choices shape the shared environment.
Photos of Science Island, auth. A. Aleksandravičius
The only planetarium in Lithuania will also open its doors to those eager to touch the cosmic mysteries. Here, every visitor can feel like an astronomer. Under an 11-meter diameter dome, using 8K resolution images and an impressive 5.1 sound system, visitors can marvel at the wonders of the Solar System, real-time images from space observatories, or satellites observing Earth. This is all made possible by the advanced "Evans & Sutherland" technology, creating a unique experience. Up to 70 visitors can embark on this cosmic journey during one session.
For more information, news, discoveries, and tickets, visit mokslosala.lt
Planetarium, photo A. Aleksandravičius
Information provided by Science Island and Kaunas IN, photos by Science Island, author A. Aleksandravičius.
