Michigan Science Center

What Michigan Science Center does

Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit science museum located at 5020 John R Street in Detroit's Cultural Center, founded in 2012 and operating continuously through pandemic-era closures and a 2021 facility shutdown. The institution delivers informal STEM education through 220+ hands-on interactive exhibits organized into themed galleries (Kids Town, Space Gallery, Smithsonian Spark!Lab, Health Gallery, Motion Gallery, Math Mountain, Roads/Bridges/Tunnels, STEM Playground, BASF Kids' Lab, Earth Wind Weather) and four signature theaters: the Immersive Dome Theater, the recently upgraded Penske Planetarium (8K digital projection, NanoSeam dome, 5.1 audio, inclined seating, real-time scientific data visualization), the Toyota Engineering Theater (4D), and the Science Stage. The organization is a Smithsonian Affiliate and reaches approximately 250,000 visitors annually on-site, with over 500,000 K-8 students served since 2012. Distribution extends beyond the physical facility through the Traveling Science Program (mobile science education), ECHO Live! distance learning broadcasts on Facebook and YouTube, and the portable Discovery Dome planetarium, together covering all 83 Michigan counties.

The business model blends earned revenue with contributed income. Earned streams include $23 Explore Package general admission tickets (sold via Tessitura Ticketing), tiered annual memberships with Black Friday BOGO promotions, After Dark 21+ adult events at $30-$45, venue rentals for private and corporate events, and an on-site Science Store (accessible without museum admission; 15-25% member discounts). Contributed income is material and includes individual donations (year-end appeal, Giving Tuesday), corporate philanthropy (Ford Motor Company Fund, GM, Stellantis, Bank of America, PNC Foundation, DENSO, the Weiser Family, the Zatkoff Family Legacy Fund), foundation grants (most notably a $2.6M Ballmer Group grant in January 2025 and an $800K NASA grant in June 2023), and the Penske Foundation gift that named the renovated planetarium in March 2026. The organization explicitly does not receive funding from the City of Detroit or the State of Michigan. Target segments include K-12 students and families (primary), K-12 educators and schools (primary), middle-school girls in grades 4-8 via the STEMinista Project (primary), Detroit first responders and families via a Bank of America-sponsored free admission program, and adults aged 21+ via After Dark programming. The organization is led by President & CEO Dr. Christian D. Greer, with Paulette Epstein as Director of Science and Theaters/Staff Astronomer and Camera Stevens as Outreach Programs Manager, and operates with an 11-50 person staff.

Name

Michigan Science Center

Legal name

Michigan Science Center

Website

https://mi-sci.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit science museum in Detroit offering 220+ interactive STEM exhibits, four theaters including the recently upgraded Penske Planetarium, and statewide outreach programs serving roughly 250,000 visitors annually across all 83 Michigan counties.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum / Informal STEM Education

NAICS

Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums (71211)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAH), Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology) (EDAMABAB), STEM & Maker Education (Makerspaces, Coding Clubs, Robotics) (EDAAAFAL)

Keywords

• Informal STEM education
• Interactive science exhibits
• Planetarium and dome theater
• STEM outreach programs
• Science museum experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

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, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. General Admission & Explore Package Tickets: Visitors purchase standard admission tickets ($23 Explore Package) that include general admission and choice of theater/planetarium shows. Tickets sold online via Tessitura Ticketing platform and at box office.
2. Memberships: Annual memberships offered at multiple tiers providing unlimited visits, discounts on theater shows and the Science Store, and exclusive event access. Membership nearly pays for itself in one visit. BOGO promotions offered on Black Friday through Cyber Monday.
3. Donations & Charitable Contributions: Individual donations solicited through year-end appeal campaigns (Giving Tuesday, holiday season). The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that does not receive funding from Detroit or the state of Michigan.
4. Foundation & Corporate Grants: Major grants from foundations (Ballmer Group $2.6M for planetarium), corporate philanthropies (Ford Motor Company Fund, Bank of America, Penske Foundation), and government entities fund capital improvements and programming.
5. Venue Rentals & Private Events: Venue rental of facility spaces for private events, corporate functions, and parties.
6. Science Store Retail: On-site retail store selling STEM-themed gifts, toys, books, and merchandise. Store open without museum admission ticket required. Discounts offered to members.
7. After Dark Adult Events: 21+ evening events at the Michigan Science Center combining hands-on discovery, entertainment, and cocktails. Ticket prices range from $30-$45.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is a nonprofit science museum that operates a hands-on STEM learning facility in Detroit featuring 220+ interactive exhibits across themed galleries, four theaters including a planetarium with 8K digital projection and IMAX dome experiences, traveling science outreach serving all 83 Michigan counties, and free distance learning broadcasts (ECHO Live!) on social media. The organization charges per-visit admission, sells annual memberships, operates an on-site retail Science Store, and runs targeted STEM education programs for K-8 students, girls in grades 4-8, and adults.

Product overview

Michigan Science Center (Mi-Sci) is a science museum offering a unified portfolio of interactive STEM experiences. The core offering centers on 220+ hands-on exhibits across multiple galleries (Kids Town, Space Gallery, Spark!Lab, Health Gallery, Motion Gallery, Math Mountain, Roads/Bridges/Tunnels, STEM Playground, BASF Kids' Lab, Earth Wind Weather) and four distinct theaters: the Immersive Dome Theater, Penske Planetarium (with 8K projection and Hyperspace Initiative upgrades), Toyota Engineering Theater, and Science Stage. Beyond the physical facility, Mi-Sci extends reach through ECHO Live! distance learning broadcasts, the Traveling Science Program (serving all 83 Michigan counties), and the STEMinista Project for girls in grades 4-8. Recent launches include the renovated Penske Planetarium (March 2026) and special exhibits like A-MAZING Detroit maze. The organization operates the Science Store retail outlet and offers annual memberships for repeat visitors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STEMinista Project: An initiative started by the Michigan Science Center to connect girls to role models as a resource in order to see themselves in STEM, empowering girls to lead the next generation of STEM innovators.
• ECHO Live!
• A-MAZING Detroit
• Kids Town

Products and services

• Michigan Science Center Museum Admission (Explore Package) General admission ticket ($23 Explore Package) that includes entry to 220+ hands-on interactive exhibits across multiple themed galleries plus a choice of theater and planetarium shows at the Detroit facility; intended for families, school groups, and individual visitors.
• Penske Planetarium Renovated planetarium theater offering immersive astronomy shows with 8K digital projection, NanoSeam dome, 5.1 audio system, inclined seating, and real-time scientific data visualization; included with museum admission or available as a standalone theater experience.
• Immersive Dome Theater Large-format theater featuring IMAX films and immersive dome presentations for science education; part of the Explore Package and available as a theater show selection.
• Toyota Engineering Theater 4D engineering theater featuring live science demonstrations and interactive engineering presentations; available as part of the Explore Package and offered to school and group visitors.
• Science Stage Live Demonstrations Live science demonstration stage featuring presenter-led shows and hands-on educational presentations, available with museum admission.
• ECHO Live! Distance Learning Free live broadcast science education program featuring hands-on experiments streamed from the Distance Learning studio on Facebook and YouTube; no registration required, accessible to schools and families statewide and beyond.
• STEMinista Project Initiative connecting Detroit and metro Detroit girls in grades 4-8 with 50+ female STEM role models through cohort programs, workshops, panels, and live interviews; designed to build confidence and visibility in STEM careers.
• Traveling Science Program Mobile science education program delivering hands-on STEM experiences to schools, community centers, and events across all 83 Michigan counties; extends the museum's reach beyond the Detroit physical facility.
• Kids Town Gallery Interactive exhibit gallery for young scientists ages 5 and under featuring a sports arena, market/cafe/vet clinic for imaginative play, Mini Level Up Arcade, STEAM lab, interactive theater, and Cybrarium digital library.
• Space Gallery (Hyperspace Initiative) Gallery featuring aviation, aerospace, and space exploration exhibits including air and space exhibition as part of the Hyperspace Initiative, with content aligned to the upgraded Penske Planetarium.
• Smithsonian Spark!Lab Interactive STEM learning space based on the Smithsonian's Spark!Lab program featuring hands-on maker activities and experiments for children and families.
• A-MAZING Detroit Exhibit Limited-time cardboard maze experience featuring bold mural art inspired by Detroit neighborhoods, landmarks, and culture.
• Level Up Exhibit with Electric Playhouse Travels 8,000 square-foot traveling exhibit featuring Electric Playhouse Travels hands-free digital games, console games, analog games, arcade zone, and the Ames Room, connecting playing games to problem-solving.
• Science Store Retail On-site retail store offering STEM-themed gifts, toys, books, and merchandise; open without museum admission ticket and offering discounts to members (25%) and non-members (15%).
• Mi-Sci Annual Membership Annual membership program offered at multiple tiers providing unlimited visits, discounts on theater shows and Science Store purchases, and exclusive access to events and exhibit openings.
• After Dark Adult Events (21+) 21+ evening events combining hands-on discovery, curated experiences, planetarium shows, and cocktails; tickets $30 (designated driver), $35 (member), $45 (non-member), inclusive of one drink coupon.
• Venue Rentals and Private Events Rental of museum facility spaces for private events, corporate functions, and parties; available to organizations and individuals for celebrations and corporate gatherings.
• Birthday Parties Hosted birthday party experiences at the museum for children and families, leveraging the interactive exhibits and theater offerings as part of the celebration.
• School Field Trips Structured group visits for K-12 schools and districts providing guided STEM learning experiences aligned to classroom curriculum, with over 500,000 K-8 students served since 2012.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500,000 K-8 grade students served since 2012
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wayne State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2025Mi-Sci and Wayne State University announced a partnership in which Dr. Ed Cackett, Distinguished Service Professor of Physics & Astronomy at WSU, serves as Mi-Sci's 2025–2026 Astronomer In-Residence. The partnership supports scientific accuracy across planetarium shows, content development for the Hyperspace initiative, youth mentorship through NASA-funded programs, and public events. Dr. Cackett is an internationally recognized astrophysicist specializing in black holes and neutron stars.
• StellantisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStellantis debuted a new planetarium show at the Penske Planetarium dedication celebration, aligning with Mi-Sci's space and aviation programming under the Hyperspace Initiative.
• Smithsonian InstitutioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichigan Science Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate, providing access to Smithsonian traveling exhibits, resources, and lending programs that enhance Mi-Sci's programming and national recognition.
• LEGO GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMi-Sci participates in the Playful Learning Network and LEGO's Learning Through Play initiative, hosting events like Ford Fund's Free Playful Learning Weekend aligned with LEGO's learning through play programming.
• Playful Learning NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMi-Sci is a member of the Playful Learning Network, a consortium of museums and educational organizations focused on learning through play approaches to STEM education.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Museum of Science, Boston: Larger, well-endowed science museum in Boston with hands-on STEM exhibits, IMAX theater, planetarium, and school programs. Directly comparable in mission and product mix, but operates at significantly greater scale and budget, making it a benchmark for Mi-Sci's national-tier ambitions.
• California Science Center: Major Los Angeles science center with IMAX theaters, hands-on exhibits, and K-8 educational programming. Closest direct peer in terms of mid-sized urban science-museum model with mixed earned and donated revenue, and relevant comparator for travel exhibit and aerospace programming.
• Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: National Smithsonian museum focused on aviation and space, relevant given Mi-Sci's Hyperspace Initiative and recently dedicated Penske Planetarium. Sets the benchmark for content, exhibit expectations, and partnership value that Mi-Sci accesses through its Smithsonian Affiliate status.

Direct peers

• Liberty Science Center: Jersey City, NJ science center with 12 exhibition halls, IMAX dome theater, planetarium, and K-12 educational programs. Closest mid-sized direct peer in scale and product mix, including live science demonstrations, planetarium, and field-trip-oriented programming.
• Pacific Science Center: Seattle-based science center with IMAX theaters, planetarium, hands-on exhibits, and traveling school programs. Directly comparable nonprofit science-museum operating model with similar K-8 field trip and outreach emphasis.
• COSI (Center of Science and Industry): Columbus, OH science museum with interactive exhibits, dome theater, planetarium, and STEM education programming. Closest Midwestern direct peer in scale and urban-nonprofit science-center model, including similar school-district and traveling-program outreach.
• Carnegie Science Center: Pittsburgh science center with hands-on exhibits, planetarium, 4D theater, and K-12 STEM programming. Highly comparable in product mix (exhibits, dome/planetarium, traveling programs) and Midwest/Rust Belt operating context.
• The Franklin Institute: Philadelphia science museum with hands-on exhibits, IMAX theater, planetarium, and STEM education focus. Closest peer in combining multi-theater (IMAX/planetarium) programming with K-8 field trips and educator professional development.
• Adler Planetarium: Chicago planetarium with dome theater, public shows, and STEM programming. Directly comparable in planetarium-centric programming and serves as a Midwest benchmark for content and talent (Mi-Sci's Director of Science previously worked at Adler).

Regional players

• Discovery World: Milwaukee-based science and technology center with hands-on exhibits, aquarium, and K-12 programs. Geographic peer in the Upper Midwest with a comparable urban non-profit science-center model, relevant for traveling-exhibit and field-trip competition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/MichiganSciCenter
• Facebookfacebook.com/MI.Science.Center
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/michigan-science-center
• Instagraminstagram.com/mi_sci
• Xx.com/mi_sci

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 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 Michigan Science Center