The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a prominent institution that showcases exhibits related to science and the performing arts, and features a digital cinema. Established in 1999, the education center spans across 130,000 square feet (12,000 m2) and includes the Select Medical Digital Cinema, UPMC Science Center, and Sunoco Performance Theater. The center was made possible through a $52.7 million public-private partnership, with significant contributions from The Whitaker Foundation and the Helen F. Whitaker Fund, in memory of Uncas A. Whitaker and his wife Helen F. Whitaker. The National Science Foundation also awarded a grant to support a permanent exhibit for the new Science Center. The Select Medical Digital Cinema primarily focuses on educational films, the UPMC Science Center features over 240 exhibits exploring various scientific disciplines, and the Sunoco Performance Theater hosts resident companies such as Theatre Harrisburg, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, and Market Square Concerts. With its diverse offerings, the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts stands as a hub for exploration and entertainment.

Whitaker is a versatile surname with various references and associations. It encompasses places such as Whitaker in Indiana, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, as well as notable structures like The Whitaker museum in Lancashire, England. Additionally, it extends to include the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the Whitaker Airport near Oakland, Oregon. The Whitaker name also resonates within organizations, with the Whitaker Foundation dedicated to supporting biomedical engineering research and education. Furthermore, it is linked to the American political consulting firm, Whitaker and Baxter. The impact of Whitaker extends to literature, with the Whitaker's Almanack, and to maritime history with multiple Royal Navy ships bearing the name HMS Whitaker. The wide scope of Whitaker's influence is evident in various other uses, including a British reference book, a title in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom, and the Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington, Kentucky. This surname's rich history and diverse applications make it a prominent and multifaceted entity.