More than some complex theory or fancy equation, science is a living, breathing application that helps us understand the world around us and how all of its moving parts interact.

At 454 New Holland Ave., Lancaster, science is manfactured, produced, nurtured. But it is also prodded, played with and learned.

This haven for experimentation is called the Lancaster Science Factory.

Housed in a repurposed industrial building, the Lancaster Science Factory is an interactive, hands-on center designed to spark an interest in science for children from prekindergarten through eighth grade and their families.

"Science is everything. It's everywhere," said Amanda Bakay, Lancaster Science Factory's director of programs and communications. "It is the stuff that makes the world work. It's about being curious and asking questions about the world around you. That's what we're doing here - letting kids discover science."

The Lancaster Science Factory is 17,000 square feet of 65 engaging exhibits that fall into the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) category. Those exhibits specifically target areas of mechanics and motion, structural engineering, fluid dynamics, light and vision, acoustics, electricity, math and robotics and sustainable energy, just to name a few.

The main exhibit hall is supported outside by a 4,000-square-foot, three-season courtyard.

But the Lancaster Science Factory also hosts classes, workshops, after-school programs, summer camps and social events.

"We actively seek to make our programs accessible to everyone," said Bakay. "The hook is that everything's hands-on. I love seeing kids being super curious. It's a really cool space, and the secret is that all of the stuff is fun for adults as well."

In 2022, the Lancaster Science Factory hosted 50,000 guests, and Bakay estimated that number will rise to 60,000 this year. She also said that about a third of those visitors can be attributed to tourism, a third have resulted from school field trips and a third were local residents.

Lancaster Science Factory's work is funded through admission fees, retail sales from its gift shop and donations from individuals and foundations. The museum staff is made up of 10 full-time employees.

"We've been working hard to build the brand of the Lancaster Science Factory and make it a place to come," said Bakay. "It's truly a place for the community. It's an asset for the community to take advantage of. It's a resource."

Through the inspiration of founder and former local advertising executive Jim Bunting, the Lancaster Science Factory opened in 2008. The opening was financed through a $1 million capital campaign and supported by the work of volunteers. In 2019, the museum doubled the size of its exhibition hall.

"We're still relatively young," said Bakay. "When he was a kid, our founder, Jim Bunting, wished he had a place like this to help him learn. Over the years, our programming has grown a lot. We've added programs because that's the demand we've been seeing."

For additional information on the Lancaster Science Factory, go to http://www.lancastersciencefactory.org.