Dinosaurs! & People's United Bank Animal Adventure Grand Opening

Rockville Centre, NY, July 12, 2019 – The Center for Science, Teaching & Learning (CSTL) in Rockville Centre has announced that the much-anticipated Dinosaurs! and People’s United Bank Animal Adventure will officially open to the public on July 15th.

CSTL is opening its newest tourist and educational attraction – Dinosaurs! and People’s United Bank Animal Adventure – in its new 3,5oo square foot WAC Lighting Hall of Science at CSTL’s Tanglewood Preserve headquarters located at 1450 Tanglewood Road, in Rockville Centre.

As a science and STEM education focused not-for-profit organization, CSTL is dedicated to providing people of all ages with a place to engage in both formal and informal learning. CSTL also creates signature corporate programs and delivers educational workshops.

According to Dr. Ray Ann Havasy, CSTL Executive Director, the theme of the attraction is how animals adapt and survive, which is demonstrated through a unique intermixing of dinosaur models and live animals, together throughout the exhibit.

A special ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran along with other state and local elected officials, VIPs and business leaders, was recently held to mark the completion of the unique facility, which is the only exhibit in New York State heated and cooled by geothermal energy, thanks to PSEG.

“Situated within Nassau County’s 11-acre Tanglewood nature preserve, The Center for Science Teaching and Learning continues to raise the bar with innovative and unique programs and exhibits that attract over 150,000 residents and visitors annually, bringing them face-to-face with animals, nature, and hands-on science,” said Nassau County Executive Laura Curran. “This fascinating new attraction will not only serve as a valuable educational resource for local schools and camps but spur local economic activity by attracting visitors from around the region.”

Annually over 150,000 children, families, teachers, and camp groups will visit CSTL to experience more than 75 unique exhibits, including breathtaking 20-ft. tall model dinosaur skeletons, two 19-ft. animatronic dinosaur models, floor-to-ceiling hand-painted prehistoric dinosaur murals, and a wide assortment of live wild animals, including owls, emu, golden pheasants, goats, alligators, lizards, turtles and frogs, along with a special exhibit: “The World of Rabbits.” The animal exhibit is the only one of its kind in Nassau County, New York.

Animal adaption is highlighted by a special exhibit featuring a 10-foot-tall model of a Struthiomimus. A Struthiomimus is a dinosaur which is covered in feathers showing the direct link between the dinosaurs of the past and birds of today.

“At People’s United Bank, we are committed to supporting the communities we serve. This amazing new exhibit, featuring realistic models that integrates live animals into the experience, will educate, inform and inspire young people, as well as attract thousands of visitors each year. We are confident that Dinosaurs! and People’s United Bank Animal Adventure will serve as a valuable resource in the community and have a positive impact on the local economy,” said Steven Santino, Senior Vice President, Senior Growth Manager, for People’s United Bank in Long Island.

“The Opening of the Dinosaurs! and People’s United Bank Animal Adventure marks a new era in tourism and education on Long Island. Students from schools and camps across the region will come to learn and have fun. Families from Long Island and beyond will also visit and enjoy this unique and memorable experience. At the core of our effort, is our goal to show children of all ages that science and learning are exciting and fun,” said Dr. Ray Ann Havasy.

Dinosaurs! and People’s United Bank Animal Adventure is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for children under 10 and children under one are free. Tickets can only be purchased on site. For special group rates and programs for special events, birthday parties, camps trips and school field trips call (516) 764–0045 or email helpdesk@cstl.org. For more information about CSTL, special events and Dinosaurs! and People’s United Bank Animal Adventure visit www.cstl.org.

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RIBBON CUTTING PHOTO CAPTION: Preparing to cut the ribbon for the new Dinosaurs! and People’s United Bank Animal Adventure at Center for Science, Teaching & Learning’s (CSTL) Rockville Centre campus at the Tanglewood Preserve during its Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony are Kristen Jardigan of Discover Long Island; Lisa Santoramo, Representative of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo; Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray; New York State Sen. Kevin Thomas; Nassau County Executive Laura Curran; Matt Hynes, Representative of Town of Hempstead Supervisor Laura Gillen; CSTL Director Dr. Ray Ann Havasy; Steven Santino of People’s United Bank; Tony Wang, Chairman of WAC Lighting; and David Policino of Cameron Engineering.

Photo credits are all courtesy of CSTL, which grants media permission photo use; Photographer is David Conn.