Twin Creeks Science Center to Be A Reality

Because of the invaluable assistance of both the Friends of the Smokies and the Great Smoky Mountain Association, the long delayed Science Center has finally been slated for construction late this year or early in 2006. Each of the organizations above raised $285,000 to make the center possible. It will be built in the Park not far from Gatlinburg.

The new space will be the catalyst for the Park’s large natural history collection, with many items scattered in different resting places. Now all the items can be put on display at the Science Center. There will also be facilities for the flora and fauna collections to be properly stored and exhibited and the specimens will be available to visiting researchers and scientists.

There will also be offices for park scientists, short term work space for visiting researchers, a 1,000 square foot education room for seminars and impromptu programs, a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data room, a map room with enough space to spread out and use the maps, wet labs and an “aquaria” room to raise insect larva and for other aquatic research.