Lasting impressions at Impression 5 Science Center  

Impression 5 Science Center is an interactive space for children and families to explore and create using all five senses. It is conveniently located in downtown Lansing, nestled just between the Riverwalk Theatre and the R. E. Olds Transportation Museum. It started in East Lansing in 1972 as one of the first interactive science museums in the country and made the move to its current location in 1982. 

The center has spaces dedicated for newborns and beyond, with programs like Discovery Time designed for children as young as 2, and the Youth Action Council for children fifth grade through 12th grade. 

Impression 5 Science Center features both stationary and traveling exhibits. Executive director Erik Larson explained that proposals for new exhibits come from a variety of sources, such as members, staff and sponsors. 

“Impression 5 has a team in place that actually researches and develops, prototypes and fabricates its own exhibits,” Larson said.  

To supplement those exhibits, the museum brings in traveling exhibits from all over the country. Creating new exhibits can take up to two and a half years, according to Larson. 

“We know our members and visitors want to see new exhibits much more frequently than that,” he said.  

Along with the delight of celebrating 50 years of operation this April, Larson said there are exciting changes coming. One update the museum is looking to do would replace the climbing structure in the First Impression Room — a learning space designated for children ages birth to 4 years old. There are plans to add a second nursing room, which will be located on the first floor of the science center. Another change will be the addition of a café inside the current snack and eating area. 

Bringing back Member Nights is also on the list of upcoming changes, according to Larson. He explained that these events were “wrapped around a theme or opening of an exhibit” and happened several times each year prior to the pandemic. 

Like many organizations and businesses, Impression 5 Science Center’s operations were impacted by the pandemic. Previously, Larson said the museum had around 3,700 members. That number dropped by half during the pandemic. The museum’s hours were also affected. 

“Prior to the pandemic, we were open six days a week to the public,” Larson said. “We were open until 5 o’clock.” 

The museum is open to the public four days a week with shortened hours. The hour adjustment and operation days are things the museum continues to evaluate as the pandemic continues, Larson said. 

Sponsors and government programs helped Impression 5 during the pandemic, but Larson expressed that the museum is always looking for more volunteers and funding for future projects.  

Impression 5 Science Center 

200 Museum Drive, Lansing 

9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thursday – Sunday 

(517) 485-8116 

Impression5.org 

$12 non-member admission