Michigan Science Center Has Successful Year, Clears $6-Million Debt

DETROIT (WWJ) - What a year it's been for the former Detroit Science Center, which was on the verge of financial collapse. WWJ's Tom Jordan spoke with the center's new CEO Dr. Tonya Matthews. She came to Detroit just two months ago.

The newly reopened and renamed Michigan Science Center, or MiSci as it's called, beat the odds when it was rescued from the auction block after closing in 2011.

Now with its more than 6-million dollar debt resolved -- it's ending the year in the black.

Its Dr. Matthews says the priority is providing young people access to interactive science. "They can touch things everything from engineering to physical science then they can explore in a more fantastic way where they can see these amazing visuals about the world they live in and the world they may someday help to create," she explained.

"This is about the next generation of STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math professionals that this city not only claims but will also help create. The science center is really necessary to interest them, " she added.

The Michigan Science Center has special holiday hours. They're open two hours later ('til 5 p.m.) on the following days: Dec 23, 26, 27, 30, 31 and Jan 2, 3. The center is closed Christmas eve, day and New Year's day.