Ontario Science Centre

What Ontario Science Centre does

Ontario Science Centre (legally the Centennial Centre of Science and Technology) is a provincial Crown agency of the Government of Ontario, operating under the Ministry of Infrastructure since 1969. The institution delivers informal science education through interactive exhibits, OMNIMAX/IMAX film programming, school field trips, drop-off programs (Saturday Science, Kids Night Out, Winter Break Camps), and community events. Primary audiences are families with children, K-12 schools and educators, and culturally diverse community groups across Ontario; secondary audiences include international museums licensing the Centre's traveling exhibitions and corporate sponsors seeking brand association with science and inclusion programming.

The core product platform is a distributed portfolio of interactive science experiences rather than a single physical site. Following the June 2024 closure of the original Don Mills building due to structural deterioration, operations shifted to two satellite locations — CF Sherway Gardens (exhibitions including Circus! Science Under the Big Top, Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks, Survival, Earth Matters) and Harbourfront Centre (KidSpark for children under 10) — supplemented by pop-up events, traveling exhibitions, virtual programming (WattNext, Discover the Northern Lights, livestream learning), and DIY at-home activities. The technology layer is primarily physical interactive hardware (hands-on exhibits, OMNIMAX dome theatre, Innovation Station building activities) augmented by standard web/digital content distribution; there is no disclosed AI, ML, or proprietary software platform. The product roadmap centers on the new permanent facility at Ontario Place, with construction underway and completion targeted for 2029.

The revenue model is hybrid and government-anchored. The largest stream is the provincial operating appropriation from the Ministry of Infrastructure, supplemented by a $1 billion capital commitment for the Ontario Place rebuild. Earned revenue is diversified across admissions ($15 per person, free for children under 2 and for sponsored community events), retail merchandise, group visits and birthday parties, donations, corporate sponsorships (TELUS, OPG, Imperial, Royal Canin, CooperVision), and exhibit sales/rentals to other museums (Circus! alone has been featured at 20+ institutions globally). Pricing is unit-based for consumer admissions and sponsorship-negotiated for corporate partnerships, with free community events subsidized by sponsors. GTM is event-driven and community-led, relying on venue partnerships (CF Sherway Gardens, Harbourfront Centre, Evergreen Brick Works, Aga Khan Museum) and a multi-channel marketing mix spanning email, organic social, content/SEO, PR, and co-marketing with sponsors.

Name

Ontario Science Centre

Legal name

The Centennial Centre of Science and Technology

Website

https://ontariosciencecentre.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Ontario Science Centre is a provincial Crown agency delivering interactive science education to Ontario families, K-12 schools, and community groups via satellite venues, pop-ups, traveling exhibitions, and digital programming, with a new $1B permanent facility under construction at Ontario Place for 2029.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum / Informal Science Education

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (71211), Museums (712110)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Science museum exhibits
• STEM education programs
• Interactive science experiences
• Informal science learning
• School field trips

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: As an agency of the Government of Ontario under the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Science Centre receives provincial government funding for operations.
2. Admission Fees: Revenue from ticket sales for Ontario Science Centre Experiences at satellite locations. General admission is $15 per person with free entry for children ages 2 and under.
3. Donations and Fundraising: The Science Centre accepts donations through its website and has fundraising campaigns to support programs and operations.
4. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors such as TELUS sponsor specific events and programs including Pride in STEM and KidSpark. Sponsors receive brand visibility and association with community events.
5. Retail Sales: Sale of science-themed merchandise including T-shirts, lab coats, science kits, and Celestial Buddies at retail kiosks at partner locations.
6. Group Visits and Camps: Revenue from organized school group visits, birthday parties, and drop-off kids programs including Winter Break Camps and Saturday Science.
7. Exhibit Sales and Rentals: The Science Centre rents and sells traveling exhibitions internationally, including developed exhibitions like Circus! Science Under the Big Top and Illusuak Cultural Centre.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Ontario Science Centre delivers informal science education through interactive exhibitions, hands-on learning experiences, OMNIMAX dome films, school field trips, and community events. Following the 2024 closure of its Don Mills building, it serves audiences through satellite locations (CF Sherway Gardens, Harbourfront Centre), pop-ups, digital programming, and traveling exhibitions while constructing a new permanent home at Ontario Place.

Product overview

The Ontario Science Centre operates as a science museum and educational organization offering a diverse portfolio of interactive exhibits, educational programs, and community events. The organization functions through satellite locations (Ontario Science Centre Experiences at CF Sherway Gardens and KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre), mobile pop-up experiences, virtual programming, and will eventually relocate to a new permanent facility at Ontario Place. Core products include interactive exhibitions (Circus! Science, Survival, Earth Matters, Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks), educational programs (DNA Fingerprinting, Livestream Learning, Science School, Teacher Resources), and community engagement initiatives (3 Communities 3 Events Series, Pride in STEM, Indigenous Celebration). The organization also provides at-home learning through DIY Science Fun, WattNext energy education, and Discover the Northern Lights content. The portfolio operates on a platform-plus-modules architecture with the satellite experience locations serving as the primary delivery channels alongside virtual and mobile offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ontario Science Centre Experiences at CF Sherway Gardens Ticketed satellite museum experience at CF Sherway Gardens featuring multiple interactive science exhibitions, hands-on activities, and educational programming for families and children.
• KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre Ticketed interactive learn-through-play space for children ages 10 and under featuring themed areas including a pretend supermarket, veterinary clinic, fishing boat, and a sponsor-supported The Pond area (OPG).
• OMNIMAX Theatre State-of-the-art giant screen OMNIMAX dome theatre showing immersive documentary films about rainforests, oceans, and space.
• Circus! Science Under the Big Top Interactive exhibition exploring the science behind circus acts including tightrope walking, plate spinning, and sword swallowing, developed and built by the Ontario Science Centre and available as a traveling exhibition.
• Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks Exhibition featuring 20 LEGO skyscraper models from around the world (including CN Tower and Empire State Building) with hands-on construction areas.
• Survival: The Exhibition Interactive exhibition where visitors investigate, collaborate, problem-solve, play, build, and climb to become survival experts testing instincts and preparing for the unexpected.
• Earth Matters Environmental exhibition exploring how everything in nature is linked, showcasing ecosystems and teaching how small actions make big impacts on the environment.
• Dream Machines by Rowland Emett Collection of whimsical kinetic sculptures by inventor Rowland Emett, including the 9-metre-long Tea Train and Featherstone Kite Flying Machine.
• School Field Trips Guided educational visits for K-12 school groups with hands-on science activities, curriculum-aligned experiences, and booking system for organized group visits.
• DNA Fingerprinting Program Educational program for schools exploring genetics and DNA analysis techniques, delivered as part of the curriculum-aligned school programming.
• Livestream Learning Virtual educational programming streamed to schools and remote learners, enabling offsite curriculum-aligned science experiences for K-12 classrooms.
• Science School Extended educational programs for K-12 students offering hands-on, multi-session science experiences.
• Exhibit Sales & Rentals B2B service for science centres, museums, and cultural institutions worldwide to license, rent, or purchase original traveling exhibitions developed by the Ontario Science Centre, with optional consulting.

Quantifiable outcome

• Millions of visitors served annually before closure
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Ontario Science PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 February 2026Consortium awarded $1 billion contract by Ford government to design and build the new Ontario Science Centre at Ontario Place. The partnership represents an unprecedented investment in the Science Centre's future permanent home.
• TELUScoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 November 2025TELUS is a presenting sponsor for Pride in STEM events and supporting sponsor for KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre. The partnership includes significant financial support enabling free community events celebrating diverse communities through the 3 Communities, 3 Events series. TELUS volunteers participate actively in events.
• Ontario Power Generation (OPG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOPG is The Pond's sponsor at KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre and co-developer of the WattNext educational platform about Ontario's energy future. The partnership combines science education with energy sector expertise.
• Ontario Tech UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-developer of the WattNext digital platform along with OPG and the Ontario Science Centre, focusing on electricity science and clean energy careers.
• CF Sherway Gardens / Cadillac FairviewcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCadillac Fairview hosts Ontario Science Centre satellite exhibitions at CF Sherway Gardens mall, providing space for interactive science experiences that drive foot traffic and community engagement.
• Harbourfront CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHarbourfront Centre hosts KidSpark interactive play space and other Science Centre programming at its waterfront campus, integrating science experiences into Toronto's arts and culture district.
• Deerhurst ResortminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of Northern Lights content and programming. Deerhurst Resort hosts Northern Lights viewing events with Ontario Science Centre experts, combining hospitality with science education.
• Royal Canin CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeterinary Clinic Sponsor at KidSpark at Harbourfront Centre, supporting the pretend veterinary clinic themed area at the interactive play space.
• ImperialminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of free teacher admission program at Ontario Science Centre Experiences from July 1 to September 1, enabling educators to access science programming at no cost.
• CooperVisionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Survival: The Exhibition and Earth Matters exhibitions at CF Sherway Gardens, supporting hands-on science experiences for visitors.
• Museums of History NSWminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProducing organization of Towers of Tomorrow with LEGO Bricks traveling exhibition, toured internationally by Flying Fish and hosted at CF Sherway Gardens.
• Imagine (exhibition producer)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProducer of Survival: The Exhibition and Earth Matters traveling exhibitions featuring at CF Sherway Gardens satellite location.
• Scitech (Australia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCreator of Earth Matters exhibition produced by Imagine, bringing environmental science content from Perth, Australia to Canadian audiences.
• Evergreen Brick WorksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner hosting Indigenous Celebration 2026 event at Evergreen Brick Works, a Toronto environmental and community centre.
• Canadian Space AgencyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner for To the Moon and Back event featuring CSA Astronaut Jeremy Hansen, bringing space science and Artemis mission information to Ontario audiences.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Science World British Columbia: Vancouver-based science centre operating a flagship dome theatre (TELUS World of Science) with permanent and traveling interactive exhibits, school programs, and similar public-facing science education mission to OSC. Comparable non-profit science centre model with government and sponsorship funding.
• Discovery Centre (Halifax): Atlantic Canada's largest science centre with interactive exhibits, dome theatre, and school programming. Comparable not-for-profit science centre model serving family and education audiences in a Canadian urban market.
• Montreal Science Centre (Centre des sciences de Montréal): Montreal's science centre featuring interactive exhibits, IMAX theatre, and educational programming. A direct Canadian peer serving a similar Francophone/anglophone audience with comparable hands-on STEM offerings and traveling exhibitions.
• TELUS World of Science - Edmonton: Edmonton's science centre featuring IMAX theatre, interactive exhibits, and educational programming. Operates on a similar not-for-profit model with corporate naming sponsor (TELUS), paralleling OSC's TELUS partnership and offering directly comparable science centre experiences.
• TELUS Spark (Calgary): Calgary's science centre with interactive exhibits, IMAX dome theatre, school programs, and traveling exhibitions. Highly comparable operating model — a Canadian science centre with strong brand and corporate sponsor backing competing for similar family and school audiences.

Regional players

• Pacific Science Center: Seattle-based science centre with IMAX theatres, permanent interactive exhibits, and educational programming. Operates a comparable hands-on science museum model in a different North American market, providing relevant peer benchmarks for programming and visitor engagement.

Broad incumbents

• Science Museum (London): One of the world's leading science museums with extensive permanent galleries, IMAX cinema, school programs, and traveling exhibitions. Provides international benchmark for science centre programming, exhibit design, and educational content at scale.
• California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco's combined natural history museum, aquarium, and planetarium. While broader in scope than OSC, it operates with a similar mission of public science education, immersive experiences, and school programming, providing benchmark for science-focused institutional operations.
• Exploratorium: San Francisco's premier hands-on science museum with world-renowned interactive exhibits, professional development, and educational programming. Larger and broader portfolio than OSC, but directly comparable in interactive science education mission and methodology.

Emerging players

• Questacon: Australia's National Science and Technology Centre in Canberra, operated by the Australian government. Provides direct comparison to OSC's Crown agency model and shares OSC's traveling exhibition distribution pathway (Scitech partnership traces to Questacon's network).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ontsciencectr
• Facebookfacebook.com/ontariosciencecentre
• Instagraminstagram.com/ontariosciencecentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ontario-science-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Ontario Science Centre