ASTC Science World Society

What ASTC Science World Society does

ASTC Science World Society is a registered charitable non-profit science centre (Charity No. 10673 4809 RR0001) operating from an iconic geodesic dome on the False Creek waterfront in Vancouver, British Columbia. Founded in 1977 and operating with 101-250 employees, the organization delivers STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art & design, and math) education through a portfolio of interactive galleries including the Wonder Gallery (ages 0-5), BodyWorks Gallery, Maker Studio, and the outdoor Ken Spencer Science Park. Its core offerings span general admission, multi-tier annual memberships with reciprocal access to 360+ science centres worldwide via the ASTC Passport program, day camps (summer, field science, and Surrey-based), field trips and workshops, teacher professional development, facility rentals for corporate and private events, and BC-wide outreach programming including traveling shows, virtual visits, and afterschool STEAM mentorship.

The organization monetizes through a hybrid revenue model: per-visit admission ($25.50-$37.50 by demographic), recurring membership subscriptions ($99-$325 annually), one-time camp and workshop fees ($370-$550), facility rental income, on-site food and beverage (Triple O's, Snack Lab, Science Store), corporate sponsorships and grants (e.g., TD Bank $240,000 for the Re-Wild Project), and individual donations. Customer segments are diversified across families with children (primary), K-12 schools and educators across British Columbia, underserved communities served through the Community Access Pass (80,000+ visitors since 2019), corporate event clients, and members engaged through reciprocal ASTC network access. Underlying technology is non-proprietary, comprising standard commercial web platforms (Google Analytics, Pardot, TikTok/Meta pixels, Cloudflare, Vantix ticketing) with no disclosed AI/ML capabilities. Science World is governed by a board chaired by Jade Bourelle, audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and is currently operating under an Interim President & CEO ahead of its 2026 Annual General Meeting.

Name

ASTC Science World Society

Legal name

ASTC Science World Society

Website

https://scienceworld.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ASTC Science World Society is a Vancouver-based charitable non-profit operating an iconic geodesic dome science centre that delivers STEAM education through exhibits, camps, field trips, and BC-wide outreach to families, schools, underserved communities, and corporate event clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Centre and STEAM Education

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

Keywords

• Science center education
• STEAM learning programs
• Interactive science exhibits
• Science summer camps
• Community science outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission: Science World generates revenue from selling admission tickets to visitors of their iconic geodesic dome attraction. Tickets are priced by demographic category (adult, senior, youth, child) with complimentary admission for children 2 and under and self-identifying Indigenous people. A family membership pays for itself in approximately 3 visits.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Science World sells various membership tiers including Individual, You & Me, Couple, Family (1-2 children), Family (3-4 children), and Student/Youth/Senior memberships. Memberships are available in 1-year and 2-year terms and provide unlimited general admission, early access, and reciprocal admission to 360+ science centers worldwide through ASTC Passport and Canadian Science Centres agreements.
3. Facility Rentals and Events: Science World rents out their venue spaces including the Eureka! Gallery, Green Roof Terrace, Science Theatre, Level 1 and 2 Circulation areas, and full building rentals for corporate events, weddings, and special events. They offer event packages and work with preferred caterers.
4. Food and Beverage: Science World operates food and beverage outlets including Triple O's (a BC favorite burger restaurant), Snack Lab (popcorn, coffee, ice cream), the Science Store (treats including Nanaimo bars and freeze-dried ice cream), and vending machines. They also have a public lunch room for visitors who bring their own food.
5. Science Camps: Science World offers summer day camps for children entering grades 1-8, including in-dome camps (Amazing Humans theme), field science camps, and Surrey-based science camps. Camps run from June to September with pricing ranging from approximately $370 to $550 depending on camp type and duration. Stay & Play aftercare is available for additional fee.
6. Corporate Sponsorships and Donations: As a registered charity, Science World receives donations and corporate sponsorships. They have received funding from TD Bank ($240,000 for Re-Wild Project), and support from corporate partners like BC Hydro, iA Financial Group, Safe Software, and The Luk Family for their Community Access Pass program.
7. Science Store Retail: Science World operates a Science Store selling science-themed and nature-themed specialty items including freeze-dried ice cream and Nanaimo bars. Members receive 15% discount on store purchases.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Science World is a charitable non-profit science centre operating from an iconic geodesic dome in Vancouver that delivers interactive STEAM exhibits, galleries, live shows, structured camps, school field trips, and province-wide outreach. It supplements admissions and memberships with facility rentals, food and beverage services, retail, and accessibility programs including the Community Access Pass.

Product overview

Science World is a charitable non-profit science centre operating from an iconic geodesic dome in Vancouver, BC. The organization offers a unified portfolio of STEAM education products and services: core admission to interactive exhibits and galleries (including Wonder Gallery for ages 0-5, BodyWorks Gallery, and Ken Spencer Science Park outdoor space); educational programs including field trips, workshops, and the Maker Studio; and extensive camp programming with three distinct camp streams (Summer Camps, Field Science Camps, and Surrey Camps). The organization also operates outreach programs (Girls and STEAM, Future Science Leaders, Tech-Up, SIS, Super Science Club), professional development for educators, and community access initiatives. Supporting offerings include membership programs with reciprocal access to 360+ science centres worldwide, facility rentals for corporate and private events, birthday parties, sensory-friendly services, and educational resources such as Science Spotlights and temperature investigation activities. Food & beverage amenities include Triple O's restaurant, Snack Lab, and the Science Store.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Admission

Quantifiable outcome

• 80,000+ visitors served through Community Access Pass program since 2019
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Canucks Autism NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWith support from Canucks Autism Network, Science World provides sensory-friendly experiences including Visual Guides and Sensory Maps for visitors with autism or sensory-processing differences. This partnership enhances accessibility and inclusive experiences.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Exploratorium: San Francisco's hands-on science museum renowned for interactive exhibits, tinkering/maker programming, and educator professional development. Highly comparable in exhibit philosophy (hands-on exploration), age-spanning gallery offerings, and STEAM camp programming.
• Liberty Science Center: New Jersey-based non-profit science centre with hands-on exhibits, school programs, and family camp programming. Comparable mid-large science center with diverse revenue including admissions, camps, facility rentals, and corporate events.
• TELUS Spark: Calgary's science centre, similarly structured as a non-profit with hands-on galleries, school programs, and a feature exhibition. Comparable as another Western Canadian science center with corporate-telecom naming sponsorship and reciprocal ASTC membership participation.
• Pacific Science Center: Seattle-based non-profit science centre with IMAX theatres, exhibit halls, and a reciprocal ASTC Passport program. Closest US Pacific Northwest comparable in terms of scale, gallery model, and STEAM programming portfolio.
• Ontario Science Centre: Iconic Canadian science centre with interactive exhibits, school programs, and reciprocal ASTC memberships. Direct domestic peer in scale and mission, with comparable science-center operating model and visitor experience.
• TELUS World of Science – Edmonton: Major Canadian science centre operating an IMAX theatre, exhibit galleries, and educational programming. Direct peer in scale and mission — both serve as their province's flagship STEAM education venue with membership, camps, and IMAX/dome-style attractions.
• H.R. MacMillan Space Centre: Astronomy and space science centre located in Vancouver, BC — a direct local peer offering science exhibits and education in the same metropolitan market. Science World's own member discounts include reciprocal admission at H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, underscoring direct comparability.

Broad incumbents

• California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco's combined natural history museum, aquarium, and science centre. Comparable in combining science exhibits, live programming, and outdoor nature components (similar to the Ken Spencer Science Park) into a single visitor attraction.
• Museum of Science, Boston: One of the largest US science museums with extensive exhibit halls, IMAX, school programs, and reciprocal ASTC memberships. A larger-scale science center operating the same core mission with broader budgets and visitor scale.

Regional players

• Royal BC Museum: British Columbia's provincial museum focused on natural and human history. Local partner included in Science World's member discount program, serving complementary educational/cultural visitor demand in the BC market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/scienceworldca
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/scienceworldca

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds4 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ASTC Science World Society