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Learn More!Explore Whitaker Center for Science & the Arts
Located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is Central Pennsylvania’s premier center for education and cultural enrichment. Whitaker Center is a thought leader in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) engagement for all ages and backgrounds. We believe that by investing our resources in educating, entertaining, and engaging visitors, we can spark a movement that makes our community a better place to live, work, and play. Composed of four main venues – UPMC Science Center (formerly Harsco Science Center), PNC Innovation Zone, Sunoco Performance Theater, and Select Medical Digital Cinema Theater, Whitaker Center has something for everyone as a destination of choice.
UPMC Science Center
Fascinating exhibits about Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math all combine to make a visit to the UPMC Science Center an extraordinary educational experience cleverly disguised as a whole lot of fun.
Scout Sundays at Whitaker
Whitaker Center offers exciting, hands-on Scout Workshops designed to help participants earn badges while exploring science, technology, engineering, and more. From robotics and coding to engineering challenges and design thinking, each workshop is tailored to meet badge requirements in a fun and interactive way. Scouts can register with their troop or as individuals, and every participant will leave with their earned badge(s) to proudly add to their vest or sash.
Forces of Nature Exhibit
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.
The Night Shift
Our 21+ after hours event — get in touch with your inner child during The Night Shift at Whitaker Center during 3rd in the Burg from 5-7 p.m.!
Tech Explorers
In these 2-hour workshops, students will explore a new aspect of technology in each session. Every topic will build problem-solving skills, digital literacy, and creative confidence. Each workshop is hands-on and designed to spark curiosity in young tech learners.
Little Learners
Little Learners meet September through May, and is designed for children aged 3-6. Sharpen science process skills and experiment, read, explore, sing, and create! Learners will have time for structured weekly themed activities.
Select Medical Digital Cinema
Select Medical Digital Cinema (formerly IMAX Theater) is a large-format cinema arts theater which primarily focuses on both educational documentaries and Hollywood films and brings it all to life on the largest screen in Central PA!
Forces of Nature
Forces of Nature will showcase the awesome spectacle of earthquakes, volcanoes, and severe storms as we follow scientists on their groundbreaking quests to understand how these natural disasters are triggered.
T. REX
For over a hundred years dinosaurs have inspired and thrilled audiences, commanding blockbuster status in museums and at the box office. But among them towers a king — a tyrant lizard king. Working with top tyrannosaur scientists, a coalition of natural history institutions, and pioneering paleo and visual effects artists, GSF’s original giant screen production on this iconic dinosaur — and its carnivorous Cretaceous cousins — aims to be the most dazzling and accurate T. rex documentary ever made.
Great Barrier Reef 3D
Every year millions of visitors travel by way of fins, flippers and feet to see one of the seven wonders of the natural world: the Great Barrier Reef – a living treasure trove of biodiversity.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Enjoy the laughs and holiday cheer of How The Grinch Stole Christmas this season at Whitaker Center!
Super Human Body: World of Medical Marvels
Super Human Body: World of Medical Marvels combines state-of-the-art CGI and live-action cinematography to explore the inner workings of our bodies and show how science and technology can help us intervene, and even save lives, when our bodies fail us.
Sunoco Performance Theater
This Broadway designed theater is home to almost 700 seats, with an intimate experience for all guests no matter where they sit, and has showcased local and regional talent as well as welcoming performing artists from national and international backgrounds.
The Nutcracker
Let the Holiday Magic Come to Life! Whether a holiday tradition or a first-time discovery, The Nutcracker® is an annual gift every family will want to be part of! Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet has been hosting a Nutcracker performance yearly since 1965. Shortly after starting, CPYB became the only school in the world with the license to perform George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker®.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
The legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo is gracing the stage at Whitaker Center on Tuesday, March 24, 2026!
Dancing With the Celts
See the talents of top Irish musicians and Nashville players collaborate for the energetic fusion that is The Celts! This show will take place in Whitaker Centers’ Sunoco Performance Theater on Thursday, March 19, 2026!
Gary Gulman: Misfit Stand Up Tour
Over 25 years in comedy, Gary Gulman has established himself as an eminent performer and peerless writer, and he’s bringing that signature wit to the stage at Whitaker Center on Friday, March 20!
Michael Cavanaugh: A Merry Rockin’ Christmas
Now is your chance to see Michael Cavanaugh’s incredible showmanship live at Sunoco Performance Theater, arriving for the holiday season on December 15, 2025. Heralded as the new voice of the American Rock & Roll Songbook and a charismatic performer and musician made famous for his piano/lead vocals in the Broadway musical Movin’ Out. Handpicked by Billy Joel to star in Movin’ Out, Cavanaugh evokes a style rivaling the Piano Man. He appeared in the show for three years with over 1,200 performances and received multiple accolades. The show culminated in 2003 with both Grammy and Tony award nominations.
PNC Innovation Zone
Get connected to the latest technology in the PNC Innovation Zone! In addition to educational programming and purposeful gaming, this zone provides businesses and organizations transformative spaces to create, meet, and connect.
Kids & Schools
Create memories that will last a lifetime! Bring your students to Whitaker Center on a field trip or visit us on the weekend for an educator-led program. Fun and learning for all ages!