3 Facts About the Castle Science and Technology Center

Greg Opinski is a second-generation construction executive and the president of commercial real estate development company OP Development, Inc. Prior to this role, Greg Opinski founded a construction company focused on public works projects, and was responsible for building the Castle Science and Technology Center at the University of California, Merced.

The Castle Science and Technology Center (CSTC) serves the Merced community as a museum and place of hands-on learning exhibits for K-12 students. Listed below are three of the most interesting science experiences and exhibits on display at CSTC.

1. View Space. The View Space exhibit teaches students about the latest space mission developments and astronomy through computer-driven display. Other interesting space programs at CSTC include a planetarium, rocket construction exhibits, and simulated space flight.

2. Planet Polluto. This exhibit, hosted by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District, is meant to bring students’ attention to the dangers and effects of smog. The interactive exhibit is especially poignant since the San Joaquin Valley and the city of Fresno struggle to control air pollution.

3. Informational scavenger hunt. Students from grades 1 through 8 begin their experience at CSTC with a scavenger hunt. All scavenger hunt questions are written to align with the California state science and reading standards appropriate for each grade level.

The Castle Science and Technology Center at UC Merced

An entrepreneurial presence in the Merced, California, community for a quarter century, Greg Opinski guided a prominent commercial public works company and oversaw more than 350 high profile projects. Among the construction projects Greg Opinski and his team completed was The Castle Science and Technology Center (CSTC) at the University of California, Merced. 

A vital community asset, the CSTC is situated at the entrance of what was previously Castle Air Force Base and focuses primarily on education for grade four through six learners. It is within the scope of the Castle Challenger Learning Center Foundation, which guides the sole Challenger Learning Center region wide. 

CSTC encompasses unique spaces including a planetarium, simulated space flight, and a crime scene investigation scenario. Students taking part in CSTC programs start the experience with a 45-minute Scavenger Hunt that encourages young learners to explore and begin to interact with exhibits. 

Many of the exhibits bring focus to critical local topics, such as the Planet Polluto exhibit, sponsored by the San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District. University of California Merced’s Energy Transfer Exhibit allows visitors to simply “pull a lever” and witness how energy transfers to wind, heat, motion, and light.