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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.
Sensory Saturdays
During Sensory Saturdays, exhibit lights and sound effects are adjusted, and additional hands-on activities are included to foster a safe, welcoming, and most importantly — FUN — environment for all visitors.
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.
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.
Junior Labsters
In Junior Labsters, young learners and their grown-ups team up to tackle exciting STEAM challenges and unleash their creativity through hands-on art and science activities. Together, they’ll explore the wonders of the world around us — building, experimenting, and imagining side by side.
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.
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!
Flight of the Butterflies
It is a natural history epic. It is a detective story. Join hundreds of millions of real butterflies on an amazing journey to a remote and secret hideaway, and one scientist’s 40-year search to unravel the mystery – where do they go each fall? Experience the Flight of the Butterflies 3D.
Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk 3D
Join environmental advocates Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Wade Davis as they set out with their daughters, traveling deep into the Grand Canyon and down the river that runs through it.
Into America’s Wild 3D
From the Academy Award® nominated producers of the acclaimed hit film National Parks Adventure comes Into America’s Wild, a visually stunning cross-country adventure into the hidden wonders of the natural world.
Journey to Space 3D
In the past half century, humans have punched through the stratosphere, walked on the moon, and lived continuously in orbit. In the coming decades, our unquenchable curiosity will take our species beyond the cradle of Earth to touch the face of another world.
Tornado Alley 3D
Tornado Alley is a giant-screen adventure that takes viewers on an epic chase through the “severe weather capital of the world.”
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 Machine performs Pink Floyd
Join us at Whitaker Center on November 26, 2025, for an unforgettable night with The Machine, the acclaimed Pink Floyd tribute band that has been extending the legendary group’s musical legacy for over 30 years.
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.
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®.
Studio 22 Dance Academy Presents A Holiday Classic
Studio 22 Dance Academy’s Holiday Classic offers two performances to enjoy at Whitaker Center on Saturday, December 6, 2025!
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
The legendary Ladysmith Black Mambazo is gracing the stage at Whitaker Center on Tuesday, March 24, 2026!
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!