Forces of Nature Exhibit - Whitaker Center

Through compelling stories of natural forces and environmental change, Forces of Nature is both an exciting thematic area and a relevant science topic that affects everyone’s daily life.

The permanent gallery provides guests with the opportunity to experience a variety of extraordinary weather wonders featuring physical “phenomenon-based” exhibits. See the whole world at once with the newly updated Science on a Sphere, experience super winds in our Hurricane Chamber, and create and move mountains!

Forces of Nature is made possible with the generous support of the PA Department of Community and Economic Development, Mark & Ellen Caldwell, NOAA, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, Jack M. Stover & Marsha M. Everton, and ArcelorMittal.

More Science Exhibits & Events

PNC Community Day

We held our annual PNC Community Day at Whitaker Center on Thursday, April 17, from 5–7 PM, where visitors enjoyed an evening of free family-friendly fun! Hundreds of guests explored the exciting PNC Innovation Zone, engaging in interactive, hands-on experiences that sparked creativity and curiosity. Kids of all ages (and kids at heart) stepped into the Above and Beyond Traveling Exhibit, a high-flying adventure that takes you to the limits of aerospace innovation. We loved seeing our guests get hands-on with an engaging STEAM activity, dive into the wonders of our Science Center, and capping off the evening with our free movie showing.

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Mar 7, 2025 – May 25, 2025

Above And Beyond

ABOVE AND BEYOND celebrates the power of innovation to make dreams take flight. This 5,000-square-foot traveling aerospace exhibition features: immersive simulations, interactive design challenges, iconic historical touchstones, visionary concepts for the future, and inspiring stories from game-changing innovators, past and present. Packed with fun interactive challenges, vehicle concept models and prototypes, immersive media presentations, and inspiring stories, this large-scale exhibition invites you to experience what it takes to make the “impossible” possible. Explore ever more advanced aircraft and spacecraft that change our lives and transform our world. And join the epic journey into the sky and beyond!

INFO & TICKETS

Permanent Exhibit

Backstage Studio

Funded by The Alexander Grass Foundation, Backstage Studio features fascinating exhibits that reveal the science and technology behind movies, TV, music, and theatre. Create your own stop-action film, put yourself into the movies in the Foley Studio, and explore the creation of different sound effects in this interactive gallery.

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More To Do

Science Center

Permanent Exhibit

STEM Design Studios

Get hands-on with different STEM topics. These engaging activities will allow parents and kids to explore STEM topics together, learning as a team. Enjoy activities and design challenges with Ozobots™ , Spheros™, 3Doodler™ 3D printing pens, tangrams, K'NEX® and much more!

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Theater

Mar 19, 2025

Rhythm of the Dance

This incredible live show creates a new era in Irish entertainment, containing a wealth of Irish talent, featuring World and Irish champion dancers, some of the finest Traditional musicians and singers who are a big hit everywhere. Combining traditional dance and music with the most up to date stage technology, this two-hour dance and music extravaganza takes the audiences on an exhilarating and exciting, energy-packed time trip through the ages. It’s internationally rated as one of the most popular and busiest Irish step dance shows in the world making it such a success with critics and audiences worldwide. Be sure to share the experience when it comes to a venue near you. You’ll be very glad you did. It really is out of this world as seen by 7 million people in 50 countries.

INFO & TICKETS

Theater

Jun 27, 2025

Killer Queen

Lead singer Patrick Myers said “It's been an amazing journey. That first show changed my life. We thought our band would last maybe a summer at the most but it's a very addictive thing performing these songs. The concerts grew and grew and we've ended up playing and selling out the same arenas that Queen played at their peak. It's been quite a surreal ride. Becoming regular performers Red Rocks Arena in America is another highlight . The Beatles, U2, Springsteen, Dylan all played on that stage. It's really got it's own kind of magic going on there”

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Cinema

Showing Through: Dec 31, 2025

Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West

The film chronicles a group of explorers - the Corps of Discovery - led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark into uncharted territory to find a water passageway to the Pacific Ocean and describe for science the wonders of the West.

INFO & TICKETS

Theater

Jul 12, 2025

Marc Broussard: “Time is a Thief”

Marc Broussard's new studio album, Time is a Thief finds the acclaimed singer/songwriter delivering an infectious ten-song set filled with gritty, rootsy hooks and dance-floor grooves, all wrapped around Broussard's fervent vocals. Produced by Grammy-winning guitarist/songwriter/producer Eric Krasno and Grammy-nominated producer/guitarist Jeremy Most, Time Is a Thief has a funky, soulful sound and is wonderfully layered with diverse sonic textures that distinguish it from his previous recordings. His first album of new music since 2017’s, Easy to Love, Time is a Thief arrives via his Artist Tone Label. Broussard will play Whitaker Center July 12, 2025.

INFO & TICKETS

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