The new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion that opens in Center City Allentown on May 22 is projected to draw more than 400,000 visitors and generate an economic output of nearly $34 million annually. 
The center will contribute more to the Lehigh Valley’s 21st century economy than dollars being spent by visitors and local groups that hold events there. Among the 67,000 square feet of interactive experiences are several that showcase the innovative businesses leading the Lehigh Valley’s growing economy, and highlight the diverse, in-demand career opportunities in science-related fields.
“Our mission is to bring science to life and lives to science. Inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s insatiable curiosity, this new science center will immerse visitors in experiences unlike any elsewhere. We look forward to welcoming visitors of all ages to explore, learn, and discover with us,” said Lin Erickson, the center’s Executive Director and CEO.
The Da Vinci Science Center is a new asset for developing the Lehigh Valley’s workforce of the future, exposing young visitors and their families to the possibilities available to them.
“The new and expanded Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion is a remarkable achievement that will enhance the quality of life and economic attractiveness of Allentown and the entire Lehigh Valley,” said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. (LVEDC).
“In addition to giving visitors another reason to explore our growing region, the center’s innovative exhibits, created in partnership with some of our largest local employers, will introduce students to in-demand careers in our $50 billion economy, helping to build the future workforce that our employers depend on,” Cunningham said.
Here is how the Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion will do that.
Highlighting the Jobs
As they explore through fun, hands-on activities over the center’s two levels, curious visitors learn about career opportunities.
The Science in the Making exhibit is presented by ATAS International, a manufacturer of building components that recently broke ground on another expansion. The exhibit encourages visitors to learn about scientific and engineering principles and how they are applied daily at Lehigh Valley manufacturers and other employers.
Companies and organizations that contributed their knowledge to that exhibit and others include: Air Products, B. Braun Medical, C.F. Martin & Co., Lehigh Valley Health Network, Mack Trucks, Manufacturers Resource Center, Olympus, PPL, Rexroth, and Victaulic.
Mack Trucks provided an electric truck cab, demonstrating the fusion of innovation and environment. Olympus explains how its equipment allows health care professionals to save lives by performing a colonoscopy. Victaulic created a “pipe organ” that allows visitors to explore how different size pipes make different sounds.
An 8-foot tall, 11-foot long robotic dinosaur, created by Rexroth, shows the power and precision of hydraulic systems. That exhibit was among those moved from the science center’s previous location across Allentown.
The Da Vinci Science Center dedicates an entire wall to the Lehigh Valley’s robust manufacturing economy, which has more than 700 manufacturers producing a collective output of $8.1 billion annually. That represents 16% of the region’s Gross Domestic Product. Nationally, manufacturing makes up 12% of the GDP.
The wall includes a map of the Lehigh Valley, showing where some of those producers are located.
Throughout the center’s exhibits are “Career Connection” signs that explain what various jobs related to those exhibits entail. Directly alongside where river otters frolic in the Lehigh River Watershed exhibit, for example, is a sign sharing information about what a wildlife biologist does.
Other exhibits explain what an engineer does at PPL, and what a traffic manager does at ATAS International.
Interactive career experience kiosks are located throughout the Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion. They allow students to input their skills and personality traits (communication, organization, kindness, etc). and see the jobs that might be a good fit for them, related to the exhibit they are in.
For example, in the Lehigh Valley Health Network My Body exhibit, visitors can learn what a radiology technician does.
The kiosk in the Science in the Making exhibit shares information about jobs including research and development lab technician; process controls and instrumentation engineer; quality technician; and cad/cam technician.
Speakers from companies will be available at the exhibits at times to elaborate and personally share their experiences.
STEAM Career Pathways
Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion introduces students to jobs involving STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics) skills through its STEAM Career Pathways Program and its Women in Science & Engineering Initiative.
The goal is to enhance job readiness and address the workforce needs of the region through a transformative initiative for youth of the Lehigh Valley, particularly those in the Allentown School District.
The program is designed to increase aspirations of science and STEAM careers in students in grades 6-12 by providing meaningful work experiences and exposure to diverse STEAM careers. It seeks to advance educational attainment and employment opportunities for groups traditionally underrepresented in STEAM careers in the Lehigh Valley.
The Women in Science & Engineering Initiative is dedicated to creating a supportive community of women employed in STEAM fields and encouraging girls who aspire to follow a STEAM career path. 
Students in STEAM Career Pathways complete a series of career readiness educational programs and field trips to real work environments at manufacturers, tech companies, engineering firms, healthcare facilities, and research labs. Participants complete a 120-hour paid internship that deepens their understanding of their chosen pathway, including the successful completion of an individual project and/or learning portfolio.
The Allentown School District, Boys and Girls Club of Easton, higher educational institutions, and local employers are collaborating with Da Vinci Science Center on the program.
Employer partners include ATAS International, B. Braun Medical, Evonik, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Mack Trucks, Olympus, Miller-Keystone Blood Center, and PPL Corp.
The pilot phase of the program, which wraps up in spring 2024, included guest speakers from Just Born, Inc., Crayola, B. Braun Medical, Noah Basketball, and Soundlabz LLC.
Employers interested in participating through job shadowing, internship, or speaking can contact careerpathways@davincisciencecenter.org.
(Photos by Rick Kintzel)