posted 06-09-2011 04:15 PM               

Fred Haise and the Infinity Science Center

Apollo 13 lunar module pilot Fred Haise is serving as Vice Chairman of Infinity at NASA's Stennis Space Center, a unique science learning center in Mississippi. He is a tireless promoter of the project.

Construction of the $40 million Infinity Science Center began in May 2010 and exterior work has largely been completed. The complex is just off I-10 near the Mississippi Welcome Center and adjacent to NASA's Stennis Space Center. The 199-acre site is near the Mississippi-Louisiana border about 40 miles east of New Orleans.

A 67,000 square foot glass building, designed by ESI Design of New York, will provide a showcase for unique interactive exhibits to engage both children and adults. "We got with the engineers and scientists of NASA and asked them to tell us the coolest stuff they do," said John Wilson, Infinity's education program development director. While highlighting the scientific and technical work at the nearby NASA Stennis Space Center, Infinity is also aimed at creating a greater interest in math and science and increasing science literacy among the general public.

Students will participate in training missions that will place them in the role of "scientists in training," learning how scientists tackle real-world issues. When possible, the focus will be on the Gulf of Mexico region and the work accomplished by scientists at Stennis. Space-related missions will broaden that focus, but they will also incorporate activities taking place at Stennis that support the work of other NASA facilities.

The goal is to open Infinity Science Center in Spring 2012 but additional funds are needed to outfit the building and set up the interactive exhibits and learning stations. Haise has been very active in these fundraising activities.

I had the opportunity to have an informal breakfast with Fred Haise at SpaceFest III and his enthusiasm about the project is quite apparent. He feels the science center is important to increase scientific literacy among the public and especially students.

Here is an inspiring 7-minute video by Fred about Infinity Science Center:

To make donations to Infinity, go to their on-line portal.

posted 06-26-2011 05:54 PM               

Here are recent pictures of the stucco exterior and a glass elevator and older pictures of steel girders and laying of the first concrete slab. The building is scheduled to open to the public in 2012, but more funds are needed to outfit the exhibits. To donate go to this website.

posted 10-04-2011 03:32 PM               

Infinity is located in the Gulf Coast region near the NASA Stennis Space Center in Mississippi about 40 miles east of New Orleans. Fred is a major supporter of the project and its goal of increasing science literacy among the public.

The first picture shows Fred outside the entrance to the science learning center. The second picture features Fred in the kitchen of the center's future cafeteria.

In response to my Facebook query about when Infinity will be open to the public, Fred Haise wrote, "Planning a "partial" opening the first quarter of 2012!"

Donations are still needed to fund the planned exhibits and may be made here.

posted 10-24-2011 10:45 PM               

"The building will be finished by late October," said John Wilson, education program development director for Infinity.

The restaurant at the science center will open at the beginning of the year and an initial exhibit probably will be ready by March, he said.

That first exhibit will showcase earth and space science.

"It will be things that will whet your appetite for the final version," he said. "This is kind of a smorgasbord of what's to come."

...Other construction continues. "They're putting in the water feature now," Wilson said. It has 27 computer-controlled jets that will make the water fountain react and dance to the music.

Apollo 13 astronaut Fred Haise said the fountain is similar to one at Disney World.

Haise is a native of Biloxi and an Infinity board member. It is his mission to see Infinity open and inspiring students to study science, and he has been raising money for years to make sure that happens.

posted 12-12-2011 09:22 PM               

Infinity Science Center at Exit 2 on the western side of South Mississippi will open in March with a restaurant, gift shop and two galleries full of exhibits.

"We're calling this 'Infinity the Beginning,'" said John Wilson, education program development director, who was in Houston last week collecting memorabilia for the displays. "We're pulling things from all over NASA," he said. "It's exceeding my expectations, and they were pretty high."

The theme of the initial exhibit will be "Great Nations There to Explore," and Wilson said it will demonstrate how countries push the frontier of knowledge, from the time of the Phoenicians all the way to space travel to Mars.

posted 01-31-2012 10:01 AM               

"We're calling this 'Infinity the Beginning,'" said John Wilson, education program development director. He went to Houston to collect NASA memorabilia for the displays, including some memorabilia never seen before by the public.

The initial exhibit will show how the frontier of knowledge has expanded, from the time of the Phoenicians to space travel to Mars.

Wilson said the directors are particularly eager to get the museum open so students can visit before the end of the school year.

posted 03-04-2012 12:38 PM               

A ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening is scheduled for April 11 at Infinity, which is located near NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi east of New Orleans. The facility will be open to the public on Thursday, April 12.

posted 04-07-2012 12:28 PM               

Upon entering INFINITY, visitors are greeted by Apollo 13 astronaut — and Mississippi Gulf Coast native — Fred Haise in a special welcome video...

The second floor takes visitors to the Space Gallery, tracing the history and achievements of NASA through America's various space programs — Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and the Space Shuttle. In addition to space suits and shuttle rocket engine components, a focal point of this area is a full-size laboratory module of the international space station, featuring a video tour guided by former NASA astronaut Scott Altman.

Also in the Space Gallery are a cut-away display of the Orion Crew Capsule that will carry humans into deep space and the Rocket Engine Boom Box, bringing to life the sights and sounds of a rocket engine test like those conducted at Stennis.

An outdoor exhibit area rounds out the experience at INFINITY. Here visitors can get up close to a space shuttle main engine... Additional engines will be added to the outdoor exhibit throughout 2012.

posted 04-11-2012 09:39 PM               

The ceremony began with a welcome from City of Gulfport Mayor/Chairman, Infinity Science Center George Schloegel followed by remarks from NASA's Stennis Space Center Director Patrick Scheuermann, NASA Headquarters Chief of Staff David Radzanowski, U.S. Congressman Steven Palazzo, U.S. Senators Roger Wicker and Thad Cochran, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and Apollo 13 Astronaut/Vice Chairman, Infinity Science Center, Fred Haise.

The science education center will open to the public tomorrow.

posted 01-23-2020 06:43 PM               

New art installed and renaming of an exhibit at INFINITY.

Introducing you to the Fred W. Haise, Jr. Apollo Gallery - dedicated to our friend, Freddo!