arizona science center, formerly the arizona museum of science & technology, was conceived in 1980 as a pilot science center by the junior league of phoenix. incorporated as a private, non-profit corporation in 1982, the science center opened its doors to the public in 1984 as a small storefront exhibition space located in the parking garage level of the downtown phoenix hyatt. the science center’s first year of operation saw more than 87,000 visitors. some of the original hands-on exhibits are still found in the center today.