Vitenfabrikken
Interactive science centre in Sandnes with a planetarium, a LEGO room and exhibitions on science, space, energy and the town's industrial history.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Vitenfabrikken is a science centre in the centre of Sandnes, run by Jærmuseet. The centre aims to spark curiosity about science, technology and history, especially among children and young people, and its exhibitions are built on visitors being able to try things out, experiment and make mistakes themselves.
The new building of around 4,000 square metres opened on 22 May 2008 after an architectural competition won by Askim and Lantto. The first construction phase houses exhibition areas, a planetarium, workshops, an auditorium, a shop and a café. The planetarium hangs like a sphere with an inner diameter of nine metres in the middle of the building and was renewed in 2019.
Vitenfabrikken also tells the story of Sandnes and the region's industrial history. The collections of earthenware and bicycles and the exhibition about the company Øglænd show how industry has shaped the town. Nearby is Krossens havremølle (Krossen Oat Mill) from 1912, which is also managed by Jærmuseet.
Highlights
- Planetarium with a 360-degree dome and shows on weekdays
- Astronomy and space exhibition with the spaceship DELTA
- LEGO room with Duplo, a coding table and a vertical LEGO wall
- The exhibition “Vi hos Øglænd” (At Øglænd) on bicycle and industrial history in Sandnes
- Makerspace with free workshops for children and young people
Permanent exhibitions
- Astronomi og romfart – Exhibition about outer space with the spaceship DELTA, where visitors dress as astronauts and solve missions in the solar system. The exhibition opened in December 2022.
- LEGO-rommet – Room with Duplo and LEGO bricks for building, art on a vertical LEGO wall and a coding table for analogue programming.
- Vi hos Øglænd – Exhibition about the company Øglænd and its importance for Sandnes, with, among other things, a time mirror, time clocks and an interactive map of the company's buildings.
- Founded
- 2008
- Operated by
- Jærmuseet
Admission & discounts
| Adults | NOK 145 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | NOK 115Seniors/concessions (honnør) |
| Children & teens | NOK 75free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 up to and including 17. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult. |
| Seniors | NOK 115Seniors/concessions ticket (honnørbillett) |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A companion certificate applies: the companion enters free of charge, and the cardholder pays admission. |
| Students & apprentices | NOK 75On presentation of a valid student card |
| Groups | NOK 30 per personNursery, after-school care (SFO) and upper secondary school during school time: NOK 30 per child or pupil. Primary school groups enter free of charge during school time. |
| Families | NOK 390Maxi ticket for two adults and three children |
| Annual pass adult | NOK 450 |
| Annual pass seniors/concessions (honnør) | NOK 300 |
| Annual pass student | NOK 250 |
| Annual pass child | NOK 250 |
| Annual pass family (2 adults and 4 children) | NOK 1,100 |
| Annual pass family mini (1 adult and 3 children) | NOK 760 |
| Annual pass grandparents (2 adults and 4 children) | NOK 1,000 |
| Annual pass grandparent (1 adult and 3 children) | NOK 700 |
The ticket is valid on the same day at all Jærmuseet sites and at Hå gamle prestegard (Hå old rectory). Annual passes are personal, valid for 52 weeks and can be used at all Jærmuseet sites. Showings in the planetarium and other shows are included in the admission ticket, but places are limited.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | NOK 390 · Maxi ticket for two adults and three children |
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Kids’ birthday parties
Interactive exhibitions for the whole family, a LEGO room with its own Duplo section for the youngest, and science and planetarium shows at weekends and during school holidays. Free Idea Workshop in the Makerspace on Wednesdays 15:00–17:00 for pupils from grade 5, and maker weekends once a month. Children's birthday parties with various themes can be booked.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Sandnes rutebilstasjon
A short walk from Sandnes railway station and bus station.
By car
Paid parking · 2-min walk to the entrance
The Nygaardshagen car park at Jærveien 16 is a two-minute walk away (ticket taken on entry, payment at the machine on exit). Long-term parking is also available at the junction of Oalsgata and Postveien, two blocks away. The car park in Eidsvollgata is closed because of roadworks in Oalsgata, but has two disabled spaces.
Free bicycle parking between Vitenfabrikken and Krossens havremølle.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Café Hjerneføde serves hot and cold food, cakes and a special menu for the youngest visitors. Food and drink brought from outside are not allowed on the premises. Café opening hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00–14:30, Wednesday 10:00–19:30, Saturday and Sunday 11:00–16:30.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 45 guests.
The event rooms Abelloftet (up to 45 people) and Automaten (up to 25 people) can be hired for confirmations, private parties, meetings, courses and team building. Hire includes hosting, table setting, AV equipment and guest Wi-Fi; food is supplied by Kafé Hjerneføde. Children's birthday parties are held on Wednesdays.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The planetarium has limited space; free tickets are collected at reception on arrival, and the recommended minimum age is six. Films in the planetarium are in Norwegian, and some shows may be in English or German. Children who are alone must be at least 10 years old and should have a mobile phone. |
