Science Museum Oklahoma is gearing up to reveal a groundbreaking addition: the Love’s Planetarium. This cutting-edge facility is set to revolutionize how we explore the cosmos, boasting a unique hybrid system that merges optical and digital projectors, high-intensity LEDs and fiberoptic technology. As the first of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, the planetarium promises an unparalleled, immersive journey through the universe.
“The upgrades are really centered on the quality of the experience,” said SMO President and CEO Sherry Marshall. “We have increased the size of the dome screen from 40 feet to 50 feet, which creates a deeply immersive environment. Guests can also expect to see increased accessibility, better seating, expanded educational offerings and some of the best quality of technology and optics available.”
That new, innovative technology will allow visitors to experience stunning, high-resolution images of the Milky Way, including eight million detailed stars and 88 constellations, as well as the sun, moon and planets. The planetarium will also offer a range of live and virtual shows, educational programs and special events, enhancing the museum’s reputation as a national leader in planetarium education.
“The price tag of the project has exceeded $8 million, which is an investment in astronomy education for guests at Science Museum Oklahoma,” Marshall said. “We are so grateful for the gift of $3.5 million from Love’s Travel Stops, [which is] getting the project well underway.”
Science Museum Oklahoma is dedicated to sparking curiosity and fostering a love for learning through its interactive exhibits and discovery-based activities. With over 390,000 square feet, the museum lets visitors explore the wonders of science and its relevance to everyday life. From astronomy shows to Science Live demonstrations and educational outreach, the museum is pivotal in promoting science literacy and encouraging families to build a strong foundation in the sciences.
“The inspiration for Love’s to contribute to the planetarium renovation was a combined respect for what the Science Museum does—their commitment to supporting youth education—and my family’s fondness of visiting the museum over the years,” said Love’s Executive Vice President and Chief Culture Officer, Jenny Love Meyer. “Supporting programs focused on educating future generations is a focus of Love’s giving initiatives, so this project seemed like a no-brainer.”
Founded by Tom Love in 1964, Love’s has grown to include over 600 locations across the United States and has operations in Canada and Europe. As the company celebrates its 60th anniversary, it continues to give back to the communities it serves. Under the leadership of Love Meyer, Love’s maintains a strong company culture that has earned it top rankings on Indeed’s Better Work Awards. The new planetarium is a symbol of the company’s commitment to education and community enrichment.
“Supporting programs focused on youth and education are one of Love’s main giving initiatives,” Love Meyer said. “We know that children are the future and believe it’s our responsibility to give to organizations that support them. In honor of our 60th anniversary, we donated $60,000 to DonorsChoose, a crowdfunding platform for teachers to fund classroom projects. This gift helped fund 188 projects at 93 schools in the Oklahoma City metro. Providing educational opportunities and basic needs to our youth is just the right thing to do. By doing this, we not only secure a brighter future for these kids but also strengthen our Oklahoma community and society as a whole.”
She also emphasized the company’s dedication to community, family values and Oklahoma: “One of our customer commitments is to be ‘great people who care,’ and that’s not only for customers in our stores nationwide, but we hope we represent the state and city that way as well. As an Oklahoma-based, family-owned and operated company for the last 60 years, our family roots run deep in Oklahoma, and we are proud of that fact. We will continue to try and make a lifelong impact on our community by investing in and supporting future generations. Supporting the communities where we live and work was a standard my dad started from the beginning, and it’s a legacy we plan to uphold.”
The new Love’s Planetarium is scheduled to open Sept. 20.
