Green Mission

The Connecticut Science Center has been built GREEN from the ground up received a LEED-certified rating by the U.S. Green Building Council. (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED awards are given by the U.S. Green Building Council to projects that show a high level of commitment to sustainability through design and operation.
Read release on LEED Gold Certification here.

Here are just some of the many ways the Science Center is a real-world example of what it means to "be green".

Construction

• LEED accredited professionals working closely with the Science Center to support the design integration required.
• An impressive 95% of the steel used for the Science Center is manufactured from recycled cars
• Recycling 75% of construction and demolition waste back to the manufacturing process; removal of contaminated soil and reuse as landfill cover
• Use of locally manufactured building products, reducing the environmental impacts from transportation as well as supporting the local economy.

Energy and Natural Resource Use

• By generating clean energy and power on site, the Connecticut Science Center is able to reduce the burden on the New England power grid and its impact on the environment by preventing the release of more than 270 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere annually versus an average fossil-fueled power generator. That is the equivalent of planting 63 acres of forest! The center’s fuel cell will be one of the first in the state of Connecticut to employ net metering (surplus power from the fuel cell will be fed to the utility grid at night when the science center’s power demand is less).
• 48% of the building's exterior is comprised of special energy-saving glass. Sensors within the building detect the level of ambient light to automatically adjust artificial lighting levels, thus saving energy
• Provisions made for a 60-foot wall of solar panels and a 200kw fuel cell to supplement electrical and heating sources that power the building
• An accessible planted roof top deck and plaza help maintain interior temperatures. Native plantings reduce irrigation by 50% over conventional means.
• Low flow sinks and lavatories throughout the building
• Purchasing power generated from renewable sources that meet the Center for Resource Solutions Green e-products certification requirements.

Living Our Green Mission

• Provide for the effective delivery and mixing of fresh air to support the health, safety, and comfort of building occupants.
• A permanent carbon dioxide monitoring system that provides feedback on space ventilation performance
• Choices of Connecticut-grown, locally-produced organic food in the café
• Office furniture and other fixtures made from recycled products
• Exhibits within the Smart Energy Gallery, one of ten galleries in the Science Center, allow visitors to experiment with renewable energy technologies and discover ways to increase energy efficiency
• Educational programs that help YOU join the Connecticut Science Center in being green.