State and local leaders gathered at Liberty Science Center (LSC) on Thursday to break ground on “Project Supernova,” a transformative $40 million campus expansion. Funded in part by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s inaugural Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program, the initiative marks the institution’s most comprehensive upgrade in years.
Gov. Mikie Sherrill joined LSC President and CEO Paul Hoffman, NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss, and Jersey City Mayor James Solomon to launch the ambitious revitalization project, which aims to elevate the visitor experience, boost accessibility, and honor New Jersey’s rich scientific heritage.
“Today’s groundbreaking is happening in the state with the highest concentration of scientists and engineers per square mile anywhere in the country, and that’s no accident,” Sherrill said.“We are reimagining what a science center can be, right here in the state that has always led the way.”
Project Supernova introduces a wide array of unique indoor and outdoor attractions designed to engage visitors of all ages:
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Kids Corner: A one-of-a-kind dual playground featuring parallel interactive spaces for children and goats, complete with a ground-level barn for supervised educational interactions.
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North American River Otter Habitat: An outdoor environment paired with an indoor viewing building, enhancing the upcoming River Rising exhibition to showcase the ecological recovery of the Hudson River.
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Physics-Based Mini Golf Course: A hands-on course developed in collaboration with artists and scientists where each hole demonstrates a core principle of physics, nodding to New Jersey’s historic contributions to the field.
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The Weston Family Pollinator Garden: A sustainable green-roof garden featuring native plantings, seasonal harvests, and educational horticulture opportunities.
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The Big Balloon: A massive 90-foot-high, gravity-defying art installation designed by Argentinian conceptual artist Leandro Erlich, featuring a traditionally styled hot-air balloon resting upside down.
In addition to these new outdoor features, the project includes the relocation of the special traveling exhibition gallery to a larger, more flexible first-floor space to accommodate major blockbusters. Significant enhancements are also slated for the Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium, the Wild About Animals habitat, and the River Rising exhibition.
Timing the ceremony on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the center also unveiled plans for a dedicated 9/11 Memorial Garden incorporating two original World Trade Center steel beams donated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
LSC welcomes more than 800,000 visitors annually, serving as New Jersey’s largest cultural institution. Project Supernova is expected to further cement its role as a premier regional destination for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) education.
