Pacific Science Center

Science Center Receives Grant for Digital Display

The Challenge

Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington, received a grant to raise awareness about environmental health and specifically, the human factors contributing to global climate change. The grant allotted money for a digital counting display to convey annual carbon dioxide emissions in King County in metric tons. The sign would illustrate the incremental and ongoing impact on the continuously running counter.

Pacific Science Center contacted City Lights Sign Company for assistance in choosing a digital display. The center knew it needed a reliable LED display with counting capabilities. They also wanted it to be visible and readable from the nearby street, Denny Way.

The Daktronics Solution

On City Light’s recommendation, Pacific Science Center chose a Daktronics Galaxy® display for their project. The 20 mm display began counting on January 1st and has changed every 27 seconds since the installation.

Because the sign updates so frequently, passersby easily see the increases happen, which effectively communicates the intended warning against emissions. Pacific Science Center plans to run the counter for at least another year before changing the content.

The Sign Company

Martha Davis, owner of City Lights Sign Company, handled the fitting and installation process at the center. She found that since the display runs unique content, including a counter, additional preparations were necessary. Davis worked with Daktronics representatives at the site to ensure the sign ran flawlessly.

Reliability of the counting device was a key reason City Lights and the Pacific Science Center chose Daktronics. “Only a few companies have been in the business of LED displays for as long as Daktronics,” Davis said. “With their years and years of experience, I know I can count on Daktronics.”

What They’re Saying

“I appreciate Daktronics not only for their good product, but also for the excellent customer support. The local presence right here in Seattle is very important to me,” Davis said.

Lisa Marchisio, exhibit project coordinator at Pacific Science Center, said that the Galaxy® display met expectations. “We selected Daktronics mainly because of the price and reliability. We needed a display with minimal maintenance, and with Daktronics we have had no problems.”

Equipment Description

• Galaxy® LED Display
• Monochrome Red Electronic Message Center
   Matrix: 48 x 144
   Center-to-Center Pixel Spacing: 20 mm (.78”)
   Dimensions: 3’8” x 9’11” (1.12 m x 3.02 m)
   Description: 2-sided outdoor display
   Control Software: Allsport 5010
   48 x 144 matrix 20 mm Red 3400 Series