If you live in Johannesburg or are visiting, you may be looking for a fun educational activity for your kids. We recommend visiting the world-class science centre, the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre – Johannesburg. In this article, learn more about the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, where it is located, what its entrance fee is, and what you can experience at this education centre.
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What Is the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre?
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre has interactive exhibits and workshops on maths, science and technology.
This Centre is the largest of its kind on the African continent.
The Gauteng Department of Education and private sector representatives established the Centre to support education in STEM (science, technology and mathematics) subjects. They also wanted to encourage public engagement with technology, engineering, science, and career education in these fields.
At the Centre, visitors can access a teaching and learning environment consisting of “hands-on” exhibits and innovative workshops on scientific and mathematical concepts. The centre also hosts science stage shows.
Where Is the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre?
The Centre is in the old Electric Workshop building in the cultural precinct of Newtown in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The Electric Workshop had been built in 1906 to house the Johannesburg tram system’s turbines.
The Sci Bono Discovery Centre’s address is on the corner of Miriam Makeba and Helen Joseph Street (formerly President Street) in the Newtown area of Johannesburg.
The Centre’s GPS coordinates are 26°12’16” S 28°01’59” E.
One of the easiest ways to get to the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre is by taking the Johannesburg Sightseeing Bus. You can also drive to the Centre and park in its secure car park. A security guard controls access to the parking areas and keeps an eye on the parked cars.
What Is the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre Entrance Fee?
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre’s entrance fee varies depending on the visitor’s age.
Adults (anyone over 18 years of age) pay R60 per person. Children between the ages of 3 and 18 pay R40, and kids under three can enter for free.
The Centre also offers family tickets for R180 per family (2 adults and 2 children).
Pensioners and students only pay R40 if they can produce a valid student or pensioner’s card.
Public schools qualify for special rates.
The Centre also has a climbing wall, which visitors can access at an additional cost of R50 for adults and R45 for pensioners, students and children between the ages of three and eighteen.
Sci-Bono’s Opening Hours
The Centre is open seven days a week. They are open on all public holidays, excluding Christmas Day and Good Friday.
During the week, they are open between 9:00 and 16:30. On Saturdays and public holidays, the Centre opens from 9:00 to 16:30. On Sundays, they are open from 9:00 to 15:30 only.
During the 2023/2024 festive season, the Centre closed at 13:00 on 24 December, 26 to 31 December and 2 January 2024.
The Sci-Bono Centre’s Contact Details
You can contact the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre at +27 (0)11 639-8400. You can also email them at info@sci-bono.co.za.
They offer several options for communication via WhatsApp:
Schools Bookings – Cynthia: 079 604 9204
Events Bookings – Thembi / Veni: 071 466 4108
Science Centre Visits, Birthday Room Booking & Science Shop – Maswabi / O’dean: 076 607 9154
They have an Instagram page, a Facebook page and a YouTube channel for more information. Their website is https://www.sci-bono.com/.
Inside the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg
There are multiple displays inside the Centre, most of which are interactive, explaining how each item works.
There are displays focusing on engines, electricity, chemical, physics, communication and word games. Kids typically love trying every display themselves. The Centre caters to all age groups with various displays, but some items may be better for kids over six.
There are about 400 permanent exhibits at Sci-Bono. These exhibits are interactive, and visitors can touch, feel, press and explore as much as they like. Some displays include Mind Ball, the electrical circuits and cycling to generate electricity. Other displays include a construction area with Lego and Zoob, where children can build towers. There is an area for music and games. They have soccer science and magnet displays. They also have 3D art exhibits, mechanised vehicle aspects and various puzzles to challenge anyone’s brain. The Centre has an impressive model train exhibit.
The Centre has two massive climbing walls for kids to try.
Each exhibit has a sign with a description. The signs have instructions to help visitors try the buttons, motors, gears and pulleys, where required.
We found the staff friendly and helpful.
How Long to Spend at The Sci-Bono Science Centre
We spent about 4 hours at the Centre, but you can easily spend up to 6 hours here. There is a café on-site for light refreshments when you or your kids tire.
I recommend going as early as possible. We arrived around 10:00 during the school holidays. By 11:00, there were many more visitors, resulting in longer queues and waiting times at some displays.
Other Activities at The Sci-Bono Science Centre
The Sci-Bono Science Centre offer other activities and facilities:
Holiday Programme
The Centre offers a holiday programme for children during public school holidays. They have specific science themes during the year, allowing children to explore how things work.
Birthday Parties
For up to 40, these parties include fun-filled activities, science shows, and a unique science gift for the birthday boy or girl. There are two party venues to choose from, which are booked for 2 hours. Hosting a birthday party at the Centre costs R3000 per party.
Birthday parties take place at allocated times, which are:
- Weekdays: 14:00 to 16:00
- Weekends and public holidays: 10:00 to 12:00 or 14:00 to 16:00.
The Sci-Bono Career Centre
The Sci-Bono Science Career Centre offers complete career education, information, counselling and career guidance services to Gauteng scholars and young people. They offer a variety of resources on career planning and development for parents and young people.
Venue hire for conferences, banquettes, parties
The Centre can host conferences for up to 500 people. It can cater for banquets of 600 people and cocktail parties for 1,000 people.
Team building
The Centre offers half-day and full-day team-building options, including skills development activities with various puzzles.
Other Activities and Attractions Near the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre
Other attractions near the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre include: