Resumo PARQUE VIVA A CIÊNCIA: A NEW SCIENTIFIC EXHIBITION CENTER IN FLORIANÓPOLIS AbstractThe Parque Viva a Ciência (Save the Science Center) is a place that aims to reduce the large deficit of science centers in the Florianópolis region. In this article we compare the number of students registered in schools in the region with the number of science centers, pointing out the difficulty in visiting these scientific places during their basic cycle of studies. We also describe 10 large outdoor equipments (toys) in operation since 2008 and comment on the mediation strategies used to promote and discuss the interaction between visitors and the equipments. We present data on the number and profile of public school visitors and conclude that there is a great demand for this type of space.