A goat playground, river otter habitat, physics mini-golf, and so much more! Project Supernova, a $40 million expansion project at Liberty Science Center, officially broke ground on September 10, 2026.

This massive re-imagination of LSC including indoor and outdoor renovations and activations is supported by the NJEDA Cultural Arts Facilities Expansion (CAFE) program, making LSC the first cultural institution in the state to receive support through the CAFE program.

“Project Supernova is a vibrant fusion of science, ecology, and culture,” said LSC President and CEO Paul Hoffman. “It’s presented through new immersive environments that are interactive and educational, and upgrades to existing iconic experiences that LSC is famous for. The project celebrates the intersection of science and culture, honoring New Jersey’s famous scientific legacy and natural ecosystems. And true to the DNA of Liberty Science Center, the project is bold, forward-looking, and inclusive, and it transforms the Center into an all-weather campus where learning is fun, hands-on, and accessible to all. Many thanks to Governor Sherrill and the EDA for embracing this game-changing expansion.”

This funding will support numerous exciting new features across Liberty Science Center. A Kids Corner playground for goats and children will be added in LSC’s backyard, featuring a barn staffed with trained educators to guide guests during supervised interactions with the animals. Adding even more wildlife to explore, the new River Otter Habitat will give guests a front-row seat to viewing these adorable creatures while learning about the effects of water pollution on the otter population in the Hudson River. Nearby, a state-of-the-art Physics Mini Golf Course, with each hole demonstrating a core principle of physics, providing a hands-on learning experience unlike any other. If you spot an optical illusion, your eyes do not deceive you! The Big Balloon installation by Argentinian conceptual artist Leandro Erlich, created specifically for LSC, celebrates science while also defying gravity. This fascinating multicolored balloon is entirely upside down, which would otherwise be impossible with a real balloon!

The expansion will also include a 9/11 Memorial Garden, a particularly meaningful addition as the groundbreaking takes place on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the attacks. The garden features two original World Trade Center beams, relocated from the former Skyscraper! Exhibition, donated by The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in recognition of the Center’s assistance to investigators in the days following the attacks.

Named after one of LSC’s longtime supporters, The Weston Family Pollinator Garden will provide a carefully planned habitat for local pollinators and other wildlife. This multipurpose garden will also provide vegetation for the Center’s resident species, seasonal harvests, and hands-on horticulture lessons for science students.

Various familiar spots within Liberty Science Center will receive well-deserved renovations and upgrades! Our Hudson Home, the fourth-floor exhibition focused on wildlife found just outside the Center, will be replaced by the modern and highly engaging River Rising exhibition. The new experience will deepen visitors’ understanding of the Hudson River and the urgent challenges it faces due to climate change. The iconic Jennifer Chalsty Planetarium also makes the list of spaces being renovated, along with the “Science on a Sphere” projection globe, Dino Dig Adventure, and the Wild About Animals habitat expansion.

Speakers at the ground breaking ceremony included NJEDA CEO Evan Weiss, US Representative Robert Menendez, Jersey City Mayor James Solomon, Hudson County Executive Craig Guy, NJ Senators Angela McKnight and Andrew Zwicker, NJ Assembly Members Katie Brennan and Jerry Walker, Jersey City Council President Denise Ridley, and LSC Board of Trustees Co-Chair Ralph Izzo.

“Today's groundbreaking is happening in the state with the highest concentration of scientists and engineers per square mile anywhere in the country, and that's no accident. That legacy began at Bell Labs and Princeton, and this expansion is proof it's still being written, not filed away,” said Governor Mikie Sherrill. “I am proud to see the EDA and Liberty Science Center turn that legacy into a campus where families learn side by side, reaching 280,000 students a year with room to serve many more. We are reimagining what a science center can be, right here in the state that has always led the way.”

This highly anticipated project is now officially underway, and we are so excited to continue offering state-of-the-art, hands-on educational experiences for learners of all ages. From new resident animals to thought-provoking memorials, this expansion is sure to create an even more enriching visit for guests at Liberty Science Center.