CLEVELAND (March 13, 2026) – Discover how technology is transforming the way buildings are built and creating new and exciting options for the construction workers of tomorrow. Guests can explore the wide range of careers in the construction industry as the Science Center hosts Construction Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 11, sponsored by Turner Construction.
Companies from around the region will be on hand with fun, family-friendly activities designed to showcase the STEM skills needed for construction jobs.
Don’t miss Break It!, one of the Science Center’s live big science shows, at noon and 2 p.m. Experience the thrill of watching one of our STEM educators lie on a bed of nails, and be amazed by a messy foam explosion! Learn the science behind weight, force distribution, and physical and chemical changes. Guests can also learn about the importance of selecting the right materials for the right job when they check out a demonstration cart using a space shuttle tile at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Guests will learn how these specially designed tiles protected astronauts from extreme heat as they re-entered the Earth’s orbit aboard the space shuttle. Get creative with a hands-on Rig-A-Ma-Jig Building Challenge from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and see if your project is up to the task!
Construction Day is part of the Science Center’s ongoing workforce development efforts aimed at getting young people in the region interested in STEM-based careers in fields such as construction. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics project that the construction industry will grow 4.7 percent, adding approximately 380,000 jobs and reaching nearly 8.4 million workers by 2033.
“Helping people imagine themselves in the STEM jobs of the future is a vital part of workforce development,” said Kirsten Ellenbogen, President & CEO of Great Lakes Science Center. “Our programs help people feel confident about their ability to do challenging STEM activities, transforming their interest and identity, and opening up new career pathways."
Construction day is sponsored by Turner Construction with additional support from ARCO, Saint-Gobain, Fortney & Weygandt, Ganim Company, Associated Materials Innovations, Coleman Spohn Corporation, Gardiner, Whiting-Turner, Shook Construction, and Higley Construction.
About Great Lakes Science Center
Great Lakes Science Center, celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, has reached more than 10 million visitors, and serves as a STEM education leader in Northeast Ohio. The Science Center produced Total Eclipse Fest in 2024, one of the largest free eclipse events in the country and is home to the NASA Glenn Visitor Center. The Science Center makes science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) come alive for more than 300,000 visitors a year through hundreds of hands-on exhibits, temporary exhibitions, the Cleveland Clinic DOME Theater, historic Steamship William G. Mather, daily science demonstrations, seasonal camps and more. The Science Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution, earned a Charity Navigator Four Star Rating in 2025, receiving top scores for financial efficiency, sustainability and trust worthiness. The Science Center is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. Visit GreatScience.com for more information.