Chabot Space & Science Center

Chabot Space & Science Center is a non-profit science center that serves Oakland and the greater Bay Area as a place for STEM learning and engagement. Our mission is to inspire and educate learners of all ages about the Universe and Planet Earth. Celebrating the diversity of the Bay Area, Chabot aims to make science and space accessible to a multitude of audiences through immersive exhibits, hands-on STEM activities, planetarium shows, education, and youth development programs. Founded in 1883 as an astronomical observatory, Chabot is located on 13 trail-laced acres in Oakland’s Redwood Regional Park within the largest stand of coastal redwoods in the East Bay. In 2021, Chabot opened NASA Ames Visitor Center, featuring hands-on activities and NASA Ames artifacts, that highlight current Ames’ research and space missions, all part of a broader partnership between the Center and NASA Ames. The research-level observatory complex features three large scale telescopes and is the largest observatory complex free for public viewing in the Western United States. The telescope domes house 8-inch (Leah, 1883) and 20-inch telescope (Rachel, 1916) refracting telescopes, along with a 36-inch reflecting telescope (Nellie, 2003). The 20-inch telescope was used to relay information to NASA during the Apollo 13 descent. The 36-inch telescope is actively used for Near Earth Object research. Chabot’s education team provides science learning and enrichment opportunities that spark curiosity, encourage inquiry and build critical thinking, essential skills for the 21st century workforce. We believe all children are born scientists, all children are born creative, all children are born with a love of experimentation and a joy of discovery. Our programs aim to expand and foster these skills for all learners by emphasizing inquiry-based learning, inclusion, collaboration, and play throughout our programming. The heart of our education programs focuses on elementary through high school students, especially in Oakland and areas of Contra Costa County.