Columbia Memorial Space Center

This is a very kid friendly intro to Space and Science. It is very much accessible, since you only have to go to Downey, instead of pushing through harsh traffic to get to Los Angeles.
My favorite part of it all was the ability to drive a plane. It wasn’t a simulation but you had the ability to see your plane in 3^rd Person View and are able to fly it as it you would fly it in real conditions. The plane is set up in front of a fan, and you have several levers that would allow you to fly it. If you do not react correctly, the plane would not lift off the ground.
My other favorite part was upstairs when you were able to play flip cards to guess the types and names of landforms.
My last favorite part was the ability to design a solar system to see how well it played out. It would help kids understand the importance of orbits and planet distances from each other and what type of an impact that would have in an actual solar system.

Visited for the first time today. We spent about an hour going through the entire museum. There were a good number of interactive exhibits, not to mention lots of information regarding Downey’s 70 year history in aviation and the space industry.
What struck me was the mismatch between a really nice, local space museum and lack of enthusiasm from staff… not once did a staff member approach me or my family members to ask if we had questions, needed help, or to further explain an exhibit. This was disappointing.
The museum Board of Directors should seriously consider hiring senior level staff, calling on former Rockwell employees, and Aeronautics Specialists to be key leaders of workshops, special programs, and to interact with museum guests on a regular basis. Plus, existing staff should fully understand exhibits and should be encouraged to engage with museum guests.
With the ongoing redevelopment effort in Downey, broad enthusiasm for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math), and the ability to thoughtfully engage senior level experts/​volunteers to enhance the museum experience, there is a great window of opportunity to make this museum a go-​to place for the region and tourists alike.

Perfect for a 90 minute outing. Our group, ages ranging from 7 – 13, thoroughly enjoyed our 90 min at the museum. Such a deal, too. Older boys spent most of their time making paper airplanes and shooting them through the target, while the younger ones happily went from exhibit to exhibit. We practically had the place to ourselves, as we arrived @1:30 after the school /​camp groups had gone. Boys would have stayed longer, but needed to get to Portos before the rush. Definitely a hidden gem.

Nice little museum for kids. Only $ 5 for admission and there’s enough to do for kids to stay entertained for a couple hours at least. Wish there was a little more to do upstairs. Also wish they had some more hand sanitizer stations and more marbles for the marble vortex.

I took my teenager here who is a kid at heart. We spent about an hour here. It was nice, everything was hands on and you learned things also. It was a very small space but it worked, and even my husband and i did some activities.
Id recommend this for little ones, maybe younger then 10, but anyone older i don’t think it’s really made for.

I had SO much fun at this little center. I loved the educational aspect of it, but every single area was totally hands on. Museums are boring for my kids but they had a blast here because at every turn there was something to touch and learn with through play.
One of the highlights for us was the area to build and launch paper airplanes. We got a little competitive. My toddler loved the parachute men and the marble «black hole» a lot.
One of the staffers told me they have a lot of school field trips between 10 and noon. We came later and literally had the place to ourselves. What a fun little hideaway. If i lived here I would be here all the time with my toddler.

Columbia Memorial Space Center is an ode to the aerospace technology livelihood that once thrived in Downey. There are nice, easy-​to-​read displays explaining the history throughout the facility.
But even more, it’s an ode to continued, interactive learning through space science.
Current hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10AM-​5PM.
My first visit ever was today (4÷7÷15) with my girls in tow, cruising in their stroller. Admission was free today and will be through April 11, 2015, for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) week at the Center. Donations are accepted.
If you don’t get a chance to make it this week, AAA discounts are available. But honestly, $ 5 for anyone 4-​years of age and older is reasonable for this learning center. Children 3 and under are free.
Yes, the place is mostly handicap and stroller accessible; however, there wasn’t a ramp up to the sidewalk on the side of the lot where I parked. If there was, I sure didn’t see it. (I parked directly in front of the main entrance across the median.)
Parking should be a breeze as there are spots all around the Center. You’ll see the boiler plate towards the main entrance.
The only employee I interacted at the front desk was nice.
As soon as you walk in, interactive exhibits are available and go on throughout the entire building. Restrooms are available on both levels. I’m not sure about the second level, but on the first level family restroom a baby changing station is available.
An elevator is also in great working condition.
The entire facility is really clean, including those above-​mentioned restrooms (squeaky clean!).
There are other several seemingly exciting offerings at the Center: Challenger Learning Center, Young Explorers Academy (ages 3 – 6), LEGO robotics lab, just to name a few. Many kids loved having their picture taken in the space suit upstairs.
It’s refreshing to see such a nice facility. Even though I deemed it to be geared heavily towards elementary age students, I saw many people of all ages enjoying their time there. I feel like if you don’t find a way to enjoy yourself here, then you really aren’t into science or learning for that matter.
Just be aware that this is a place for school field trips and scout programs. You’ll see kids, kids, and more kids.
TIP: If you have some toddlers who find it difficult to stay engaged with some of the more advanced simulations, take them upstairs to the area near the restrooms. There are books on display for your reading pleasure. There is an area for kiddos to play and jump around for a bit. Additionally, they can take some crayons (maybe colored pencils too) to paper to draw for a while.
If I were still teaching, this learning center/​museum would be one of my top choices for a field trip. As a parent, this is a great way to explore and interact with your child.
If you need more info, check out their website:
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Review #355
Unilocal challenge 2015 ³⁶⁄₁₀₀

Attention Space Explorers! This is such a fun hands-​on experience for children of all ages. Exhibits include a Lego Robotics Lab, Space Mission Simulators, and much more.
They offer field trips to schools as well as groups.
Check their website for special events.
Children 3 yrs. and younger FREE. Adults and children 4yrs.+ $ 5.00
AAA Discount is available.
Adventure is out there!

Went there on Saturday around 4:30 on a random visit as we passed by on our way somewhere nearby and saw that they were still open so we stopped and found parking to be easy. My uncle worked at Rockwell many years ago and would send me specially postmarked cards and other souvenirs which I should really look for.
They close at 5 p.m. so we had to hurry through the exhibit space and couldn’t really spend too much time reading the interesting story boards and looking at the many photos of the space program and astronaut bios and other things. It was very hot outside and nice and cool inside so we enjoyed our time inside and tried some of the hands-​on exhibits. Half an hour went by fast so will try to go back again soon to see more of what they have to offer upstairs as well.
The Space Center areas inside and outside and restrooms are very clean. Some things were not operating or were closed so go early. The adult ticket price is $ 5 but if you have AAA you can get two adult tickets for $ 7.50. The tiny gift shop doesn’t have too many items for sale like at other larger museums but will check it out the next time as the register closes about 4:45 so I couldn’t buy anything.

This place was great. Took both my kids on their day off school. Parking and entry was ez. Place was clean and well kept. The robotics class was cool. Would definitely go back with our sons Cub Scout troop.
Fee was $ 5 per person. Place could use signs on the fwy and more advertising. Not as big as Discovery Science Center in SA, but definitely worth it. I think this is a really great addition to The City of Downey (former resident). I remember when Rockwell was located on the site.

This is a school teacher’s dream facility when envisioning a hands-​on field trip that provides students with an experience that’ll be quite memorable! Although The Columbia Memorial Space Center (CMSC) is VERY small, they offer so much to help children develop a deeper understanding of concepts involving our solar system and space exploration!
CMSC offers field trips in which students will be seated in a simulated control room, complete with monitors at each station and a large screen. You’ve seen this setup many times on NASA TV! On the other side of the facility is another room that simulates what it’s like to be in a shuttle. The children are in separate rooms, unable to see one another and can only communicate with each other with microphones projecting their voices into each other’s room. It’s complete with mock station for medical/​life support, remote access, and work areas for children to reach inside while wearing heavy duty gloves to handle matter collected during space exploration! Children will even suit up prior to going inside by putting on blue NASA jackets.
There’s a Robotics Themed room in which students will be paired in groups of 4 to program a small robot to move a specific distance on a pathway. The robots are already assembled but students must configure the specifications for speed and much more. Then they have to place their robot on the pathway. If their robot does not make it to the space station on the pathway, they have to return to the computer and reprogram their robot while determining where the miscalculation occurred. Amazing!
There’s also a mock space station for younger children to play a game in which they’ll attempt to land a shuttle on the Earth and Moon! Once again, this is amazing!
I’ve visited CMSC on several occasions to take part in teacher workshops. We have had opportunities to gain certification to bring meteorite samples to school and so much more. Today, I learned about the possibilities to provide students with an unforgettable field trip.
This facility is indeed smaller than it’s competitors: The California Science Center in Los Angeles and The Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. However, this hidden gem has so much potential for local children who may not be able to visit the other locations. They also have programs geared toward younger preschool age children and opportunities for parents to help foster learning at their child’s pace!

It is sad that this small museum is struggling. It’s not the largest space Museum but it’s fun and there is quite a few things that I really enjoyed. One is the spacesuit that you can step inside of and have your picture taken. The other is the wood space shuttle mock up in the large white tent near the museum. I here in a few weeks they will be putting that back into storage however. It’s sad. We had read an article about this museum in the LA Times which is how we found out about it. There’s a lot of space history related to this particular museum the surrounding areas used to be used for constructing modules, testing equipment they made, constructing and designing other space equipment and parts of the shuttles.
The presentation that was given before we went to see the model of a shuttle was very informative. The young man who have the presentation was very knowledgable. There was some douche bag in the audience that was rushing him through it so that was upsetting. But I made sure I told the young man afterwards that I enjoyed the presentation and not to let that guy get to him. :-)
Anyway, it’s a neat little place full of history. Not as large as say the CA Science Center but worth a trip down there regardless.

So I was dropping off my wife for work at the hospital where she works and in the parking lot where I drop her off there was a Lunar Space Module. Wait What?!
Yup, there was a real lunar module there. Right outside the hospital. I’ve spent some time in Downey and you can see some hints of what was here before. There is a small icon or thumbnail of a space shuttle on «challenger way» or the plaques of space mile stones located in the shopping center nearby.
Did anyone else know that this place is the best $ 5 you can spend in this town? (other than inside a Portos?)
I spent THREE hours here. Its a full learning/​science center. They have an orbital simulator, Simulations, Landing simulator (pitch only though), plenty of rockets to shoot around and lectures all abound.
I sat in on a greatlecture of the history of NASA and what they are doing and couldn’t believe the amount of first hand information I was getting for $ 5.00 entry fee.
And I haven’t even told you the best part. There is a full size mock up of the shuttle, right here! Incredible. Five full stars.

I was very disappointed, I thought this would be a more in depth museum but I would rather go to the cube. In less than 2 hours we were done with the museum because we spent almost an hour in the robotic room. That was the only plus.

If you are visiting with toddlers, its not worth the visit. Most of the hands on exhibits were not in operating condition and there was not much to view and do. But the facility is very clean.

Just for its part in history of the space Program, this is a good place to bring young & middle school children. Inexpensive by most museum fees ($ 5 per person & I think there is also a family discount), there are a lot of hands-​on displays.
Exterior has a space capsule (not sure if it has been in outer space) and cement representations of the planets in the front. (Not to scale of course or else Jupiter would dwarf the museum itself). It’s great for having kids learn about the planets — no planetarium inside though.
I am always moved by the two memorial markers out in front. It’s a part of space and American history!
There is an enclosed garden/​nature walk in the back. Surprise! it was not locked today. A short stroll around and it was nice taking in the wildflowers.

I adore the Columbia Memorial Space Center. I did a weekend science workshop there for teachers back in September. The facility’s manager, Christine, was knowledgable, friendly. accomodating, and generally bent over backwards to make the day a success.
What’s really exciting about this center are the field trip possibiliies and the cool kids activities. They have a Lego robotics center where kids can carry out moon missions by controlling rover robots. They have a mission control simulation room where one group of kids in Mission Control guide another group of kids on their mission in the Space Shuttle. There are a bunch of other cool displays and interactive areas. The space isn’t too big and overwhelming like the California Science Center can be.
If you or your kids are interested in space and NASA in any way, I suggest a visit!

So happy to have connected to a fairly unknown gem practically in my own backyard! This place is fabulous! We happily discovered this place having been invited to a birthday party for my son’s best friend. The first site we see as we easily find parking on a Saturday morning is a gigantic rocket ship jumper/​slide. Then the walkway to the museum is decorated with giant cement balls decorated as the planets in our universe. My son just recently did a report on Venus so he was excited about this. Inside is a virtual playground for kids & adults. There’s so much to do especially if your child is interested in space & science. It’s also a great location to hold a party. They have a large picnic area in the back & it’s so spacious the kids can run around which is relaxing for the parents because they can sit & talk while the kids play. There’s also a short educational movie they show & a Lego Mindstorms session (big hit with kids & adults alike). Great for a personal family outing or in a party. We’ll mostly likely return on our own someday.

Just posting a review to let people know they still have eclipse glasses (for $ 2).
While Griffith Observatory has already sold out, the California Science Center isn’t carrying them at all (they were referring people to the Observatory), and there aren’t any shops in the area selling shade factor #14 welding goggles, the Columbia Memorial Space Center still has a couple boxes and the people working there are really cool.

My niece is a huge fan of aerospace and aviation, partially due to her stepfather.
I was looking to see if there were a plane museum near here and i stumbled upon this space shuttle museum. I was excited to see that the ticket prices were so cheap and it was so close to where I live.
We drove over late Saturday morning. The facility looks much bigger from the outside than it does inside, partially because parts of the floor plan inside are reserved for labs and a lecture hall.
There are some beautiful artwork installations in this place. Everything was clean. The staff working were super helpful and friendly. They stopped by to ask if we had questions and offered suggestions.
The exhibits are definitely geared towards a much younger crowd. My niece and I still «played» but I was hoping for something more along the lines of technology or history. (There is a little of that, but not as much as I had hoped for.)
My niece got a kick out of the simulator where you try to land the shuttle. She tried to plan a mission to Mars, but the computer touch screen was a challenge, so she gave up in frustration. We both enjoyed trying to move objects with the robotic arms.
We were invited back for an evening event. The lovely young lady at the front desk also offered to special order a jacket for my niece and explained the benefits of membership.
If they have a special event, I might return, but I have likely seen all I need to see of this place.
Totally cute. Great for elementary aged kids.