The mission of the Science Center "Vizium" is to explain in an understandable way the mutual influence of physics, nature, matter, sound, and light, as well as to promote understanding of science and its comprehensive nature among various target audiences.
“VIZIUM” stands for: Ventspils – “V”, Innovation – “I”, Science – “ZI” and center (centrum) – “um”, and it symbolizes – vision, mission, value, communication, purposefulness, efficiency and identity. This idea was submitted by Ventspils resident Aleksandrs Bobrovs.
The science center has educational interactive exhibition halls, more than 80 interactive exhibits, science shows, laboratories, conference rooms, classrooms, and technical creative workshops that will be available to visitors, introducing them to physics, chemistry, and other natural sciences.
The exhibits have been selected to spark an interest in computer science and natural sciences in children and young people from an early age, and to promote a greater understanding of the processes of physics, engineering, and technology development in nature. The exhibits are both educational and interactive, and are included in educational and teaching programs as an important component of learning the topics.
The Science Center's exposition is divided into seven different galleries: Smart Technology Gallery, Simulators, Geography and World Gallery, Human and Self-Perception Gallery, Physics and Mathematics Gallery, Children's Gallery, and also the Healthy Lifestyle Gallery.
- Exhibition hall (Creative workshops and science shows are for a separate fee):
- Adults 15 EUR / 14 EUR + 100 VENTI
- For pupils, students, pensioners 5 EUR / 4 EUR + 100 VENTI
- Children (3-6 years) 2 EUR / 1 EUR + 100 VENTI
- Creative workshops (60 min)
- Science show (20 min)
- Student excursions:
- In addition to visiting the exhibition hall, the class has the opportunity to attend technical creative workshops, as well as audiovisual workshops as part of the “Latvian School Bag” program. Any excursion must be booked in advance: https://vizium.lv/excursions.
- The Science Center offers an opportunity to throw a birthday party with various activities in the exhibition hall, as well as creative work in workshops. The event must be registered in advance.
- 129,23 EUR for up to 10 people + 12,92 EUR for each additional person
- More information: https://vizium.lv/organise-events
- Korporatīvie pasākumi for collective cohesion.
- To have a fun time with colleagues, doing various attractive activities.
- 480 EUR/2h for 10 persons (each additional person + 24 EUR)
- More information: https://vizium.lv/organise-events
- Conference room It can be used as a whole, with a capacity of up to 120 people, or divided into 3 independent parts for smaller event formats.
- Dinners:
- Up to 40 persons 132,06 EUR/h.
- 40 to 60 persons 264,11 EUR/h.
- 60 to 120 persons 396,17 EUR/h.
- Dinners:
Main areas of activity of the Science and Innovation Center:
- Thematic exhibitions of the Science Center
- Digital competences interest education
- Development of digital competencies of students and educators
- Career education and development of professional competencies
Main educational programs:
- Natural sciences
- Smart technologies
- Physics and mathematics
- Geography and the world
- Information and communication technologies
- Human self-exploration
Planned activities to reach target groups:
- Development of ICT and STEM education and training programs for students, especially in the fields of technology, science and engineering;
- Education and training programs for teachers on how to develop values such as curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in the school environment, as well as training in ICT and STEM subjects to increase their knowledge, skills and competence in general;
- Technically creative workshops and seminar programs;
- Prototyping laboratories for students with thematic workshops in the fields of ICT and STEM – making the learning process more diverse by adding more and more practical work with equipment to create a real product;
- Laboratory work and science show programs;
- Workshops and outdoor activities for students, children and families, creation of a Family School to promote co-learning and collaboration between children and parents;
- The use of exhibits is linked to educational programs in the promotion of ICT and STEM fields;
- Practical workshops, extracurricular activities, science camps to promote ICT, STEM, entrepreneurship and innovation, also providing the necessary raw materials.
*STEM is an educational approach to learning that combines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Interesting facts:
Science Center (idea author – Audrius Ambrasas) facade made of glass and copper cladding sheetsTo ensure that the copper does not lose its dark golden glow over time, the sheets are treated with a special technological technique, which was used for the first time in Latvia.
On the floor of the Science Center foyer, covering an area of 365 m2, there is a world map shaped like a round globe, consisting of more than 600 pieces of Murano glass tilesIn the center of the map is Ventspils, under which is a capsule with a message for future generations.
“VIZIUM” building parameters:
- Total area: 6270 m2
- Number of floors: 5
- Number of parking spaces: 153
- Planned number of visitors per year: 80
Awards:
Science and Innovation Center “VIZIUM” wins 1st place in the competition “The Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia 2022”
of 2022 On March 11, the Science Center “VIZIUM” won the Latvian Construction Award of the Year 2021 - first place in the category “PUBLIC BUILDING – NEW CONSTRUCTION”.
On September 2022, 22, in the competition “The Most Energy-Efficient Building in Latvia 2022” announced by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development and the Latvian Union of Civil Engineers, the building of the Ventspils Innovation and Science Center “VIZIUM” won the award-winning 1st place in the nomination “The Most Energy-Efficient Public Building in Latvia 2022”