Museum of Science

What Museum of Science does

The Museum of Science, founded in 1830 and headquartered at 1 Science Park, Boston, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit science center and one of the oldest science institutions in the United States. It operates interactive exhibit halls, three immersive theaters (Charles Hayden Planetarium, Mugar Omni Theater, 4-D Theater), and three Centers for Public Science Learning covering Life Sciences, the Environment, and Space Sciences. The museum serves a broad audience including families with children, K-12 schools and educators, adults, corporate and private event clients, and underserved communities, with 501-1000 employees and operations of 360+ days per year.

The institution generates revenue through a diversified mix of paid admissions (adults $33, children $28, seniors $29), annual memberships, theater add-on tickets, corporate and private venue rentals, food and beverage (Riverview Café operated by Restaurant Associates), museum store retail, and a substantial contributed-revenue base. Major philanthropic supporters in 2025 include Lyda Hill Philanthropies ($21 million including the IF/THEN Collection) and the Institute of Museum and Library Services ($4.1 million for AI literacy), with Bloomberg Philanthropies serving as lead supporter for the Public Science Common renovation. Digital distribution channels include the Bloomberg Connects mobile app, the Mission: Mars Roblox educational game, the Pulsar podcast, four topic newsletters, and an active presence on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, and Threads.

The technology platform combines physical interactive exhibits with VR experiences (Life Chronicles), live robotics demonstrations (Robot Roundup featuring Boston Dynamics and Unitree robots), AI-driven experiences (the "Ancestors" generative AI journey), and a new AI Fluency Programs curriculum. The museum is currently executing the Public Science Common, a 10,000+ square foot renovation adding flexible convening space for 300-700 people with 270-degree views of Boston and Cambridge, scheduled to open in late 2026. Go-to-market combines direct ticketing, CityPASS bundles, library pass distribution, ASTC/AZA reciprocal memberships, and accessibility programs (Museums for All, Blue Star Museums, Card to Culture).

Name

Museum of Science

Legal name

Museum of Science, Boston

Website

https://mos.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1830

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Museum of Science is a Boston-based nonprofit science center founded in 1830, operating interactive exhibit halls, immersive theaters, and three Centers for Public Science Learning. It serves families, K-12 schools, adults, and corporate clients through admissions, memberships, and educational programming.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum and Cultural/Educational Institution

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums (712110)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Lab & Science Virtual Labs (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) (EDAFAJAE), Physics Enrichment Programs (EDAMABAH)

Keywords

• Science museum exhibits
• STEM education programs
• Planetarium shows
• Interactive science center
• Museum memberships

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: Revenue from exhibit hall tickets, theater shows (Planetarium, Omni, 4-D), and special exhibitions. Pricing varies by age category with member discounts.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs providing free admission, discounts on theaters and cafes, and exclusive event access. Marketed as paying for itself with just two visits.
3. Private Events and Rentals: Venue rental for corporate events, weddings, social celebrations, and private buyouts. Includes spaces like Skyline Room, d'Arbeloff Suite, Blue Wing, and Washburn Pavilion.
4. Food and Beverage: Riverview Café operated by Restaurant Associates, featuring multiple food stations and Starbucks. Members receive 10% discount.
5. Museum Store: Retail gift shop selling science-themed merchandise, open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm and weekends 9am-5pm.
6. Grants and Donations: Funding from foundations (Lyda Hill Philanthropies $21M, Bloomberg Philanthropies), government grants (IMLS $4.1M), and individual donations supporting educational programs and facility improvements.
7. Fundraising Events: Annual events including Stars of STEM (has raised over $6 million since 2015), Sparks After Dark gala, Boston Marathon team, and Washburn Challenge.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Museum of Science operates a nonprofit science center providing interactive exhibit halls, immersive theaters (Planetarium, IMAX Omni Dome, 4-D), live demonstrations, and three Centers for Public Science Learning covering Life Sciences, Environment, and Space Sciences. It sells admission tickets, annual memberships, and private event rentals while delivering STEM education programs, field trips, adult SubSpace evening events, digital content (podcasts, videos, newsletters, Roblox games), and AI literacy programs.

Product overview

Museum of Science operates as a science museum offering multiple integrated experience channels: physical exhibits and theaters (Exhibit Halls, Planetarium, Omni Theater, 4-D Theater), educational programs (Centers for Public Science Learning covering Life Sciences, Environment, and Space Sciences), digital content (Pulsar podcast, newsletters, videos, articles), and special initiatives (Public Science Common renovation). The museum provides in-person experiences including live presentations, VR expeditions (Life Chronicles), robotics demonstrations (Robot Roundup), and adult programming (SubSpace). Digital offerings include Bloomberg Connects app-based guides, Roblox educational games (Mission: Mars), and teaching STEM resources. The three Centers drive public science learning while physical venues host immersive theater experiences.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Centers for Public Science Learning: A collection of three centers (Center for Life Sciences, Center for the Environment, and Center for Space Sciences) that enable the public to keep up with current science and technology.
• Center for Life Sciences
• Center for the Environment
• Center for Space Sciences
• Public Science Common
• SubSpace
• Pulsar
• IF/THEN Collection

Products and services

• Exhibit Halls Main museum exhibition galleries featuring interactive science exhibits, live demonstrations, and hands-on experiences across multiple scientific disciplines, open daily with general admission.
• Charles Hayden Planetarium Immersive dome theater featuring live and pre-recorded shows exploring astronomy, space exploration, and cosmic phenomena. Available as an add-on ticket for $10 adults, $8 children, $9 seniors.
• Mugar Omni Theater IMAX Dome screen theater showing giant-format documentary films for immersive viewing experiences. Available as an add-on ticket for $10 adults, $8 children, $9 seniors.
• 4-D Theater Special effects theater combining 3-D film with synchronized in-theater effects including wind, snow, and seat motion. Available as a $6 add-on ticket.
• Life Chronicles VR Experience Free-roaming VR expedition exploring prehistoric worlds and extinct creatures through an immersive, family-friendly experience requiring VR headsets.
• Robot Roundup Live presentations featuring modern robotics including Boston Dynamics and Unitree robots with dancing and obstacle-dodging capabilities.
• Center for Life Sciences Center focused on making life sciences accessible and relevant for all, connecting academia, industry, government, and the public through programming.
• Center for the Environment Center focused on climate science and sustainability, creating experiences that help humanity mitigate and adapt to climate change.
• Center for Space Sciences Center dedicated to increasing public understanding of astronomy and space exploration through museum, classroom, and online experiences.
• AI Fluency Programs Educational workshops and programs focused on building AI literacy skills for visitors of all ages, including National AI Literacy Day events.
• SubSpace: Adult Experiences Adult-only nighttime events featuring art, science, and technology through musical tributes, performance art installations, and immersive experiences.
• Mission: Mars Free educational Roblox game challenging players to design and build Mars exploration vehicles, developed in partnership with Filament Games.
• Pulsar Podcast Science podcast featuring interviews with education staff and scientists worldwide, answering questions about science topics.
• Teaching STEM Educational resources for Pre-K through 8 educators including curricula, field trip planning, professional learning communities, and youth programs.
• Museum Membership Annual membership program providing free exhibit hall admission, member pricing on theaters, exclusive events, and discounts on café and store, marketed as paying for itself with just two visits. Corporate membership programs also available.
• Private Events and Venue Rentals Venue rental service for corporate events, weddings, social celebrations, and private buyouts, including spaces like Skyline Room, d'Arbeloff Suite, Blue Wing, and Washburn Pavilion.
• Riverview Café On-site café operated by Restaurant Associates featuring multiple food stations and Starbucks, offering 10% discount to members.
• Museum Store Retail gift shop selling science-themed merchandise, open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm and weekends 9am-5pm, with online store at shop.mos.org.
• Innovation: Earth Exhibit Permanent museum exhibit about the changing climate, supporting the museum's environmental education initiatives through the Center for the Environment.
• Making Waves Exhibit Hands-on exhibit exploring wave phenomena across biology, earth science, astronomy, and artificial intelligence through interactive displays.
• Bloomberg Connects Digital Guide

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached 80 million people through IF/THEN Collection initiative
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered major, strategic, minor and operational.

• William Rawn AssociatesmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerNational award-winning architecture firm serving as principal architect for Public Science Common. Responsible for iconic New England buildings including Boston Public Library and Cambridge Public Library.
• Consigli Construction Co., IncmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLead construction company for Public Science Common project. Has extensive museum/cultural space experience including National Air and Space Museum and Smithsonian.
• Harvard Medical School Center for BioethicsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on That's Life newsletter content and programming, bringing bioethics expertise to museum's life sciences educational offerings.
• Filament GamesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Museum to develop Mission: Mars educational Roblox game, teaching players to design vehicles for Mars navigation.
• Roblox EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatform partner for Mission: Mars educational gaming experience on Roblox, extending museum's reach to gaming audiences.
• Restaurant AssociatesoperationalOthersCulinary and hospitality partner powering the Riverview Café with sustainable food offerings, operating for over 75 years in institutional dining.
• University of OklahomaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant partner in IMLS AI literacy initiative, developing AI curricula and training modules.
• University of South CarolinaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant partner in IMLS AI literacy initiative, developing AI curricula and training modules.
• North Carolina A&T State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant partner in IMLS AI literacy initiative, developing AI curricula and training modules.
• Purdue UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrant partner in IMLS AI literacy initiative, developing AI curricula and training modules.
• Mass Innovation NightsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew England's premier startup showcase returning to Museum after six-year hiatus, featuring ten local companies debuting products.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Field Museum: Chicago natural history museum that operates ticketed exhibits, membership programs, and private event rentals on similar scale to MOS; overlaps on Member All-Day Pass reciprocity.
• Pacific Science Center: Seattle-based science center with IMAX and planetarium theaters, K-12 programming, and reciprocal ASTC passport participation. Direct comparability in immersive theater formats.
• Exploratorium: San Francisco's flagship hands-on science learning center with exhibit-based, interactive STEM programming. Closest analog to MOS in museum-pedagogy model and adult evening programs.
• American Museum of Natural History: Major New York science and natural history museum operating immersive theaters and STEM programming for families and schools. Directly comparable in mission, scale, and member-supported revenue model.
• Liberty Science Center: New Jersey-based interactive science center with IMAX dome and education programs; similar tier in ASTC network and comparable revenue mix from admissions and events.
• Carnegie Science Center: Pittsburgh science center featuring planetarium, 4-D theater and STEM learning exhibits. Smaller but highly comparable operating model targeting families and schools.
• The Franklin Institute: Philadelphia's iconic science museum with planetarium, IMAX, and rotating blockbuster exhibitions. Comparable mid-size museum with strong school-group business.
• California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco-based science institution combining an aquarium, planetarium, and natural history museum under one roof. Comparable in scale and multi-format science programming (exhibits, research, education) to the Museum of Science, Boston.
• Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago): Chicago's largest science museum, similarly named and structured around interactive exhibits, large-format film theaters, and K-12 field trips. Strongest direct counterpart in Midwestern U.S.

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Federal flagship natural history museum that competes for STEM field trips, tourist attention, and donor visibility on a national scale. Not direct because of public funding, but it sets the boundary of the addressable market for science-themed programming.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/museumofscience
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/BostonMOS
• Facebookfacebook.com/museumofscience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/boston-museum-of-science
• Instagraminstagram.com/museumofscience
• TikToktiktok.com/@museumofscience

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors3 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Museum of Science