Saint Louis Science Center

What Saint Louis Science Center does

The Saint Louis Science Center is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) science museum located in St. Louis, Missouri, operating free general admission supported by the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District (ZMD), a regional taxing district. The institution serves the St. Louis Metropolitan Area with a broad public audience — families, K-12 school groups, and adult visitors — and is governed by a Board of Commissioners under a leadership team led by President and CEO Dr. Ray Vandiver (appointed February 28, 2025). Its two campuses span 5050 Oakland Avenue (main) and 5100 Clayton Avenue (McDonnell Planetarium), with a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate designation earned in 2016.

Core products include the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, reopened July 18, 2026 after a $6 million technology upgrade featuring the first GOTO Chiron III Hybrid Star Projector installed in the United States combined with a Cosm Digistar Full-Dome Visualization System that connects in real time to over 700 global planetariums. The OMNIMAX Theater is one of only nine IMAX Dome with Laser theaters worldwide. The center operates 10+ permanent galleries (GROW, Makerspace, Life Science Lab, Experience Energy, Discovery Room, Mission: Mars, Structures, Earth Sciences, GameXPloration, Inside The Vault) and rotates premium special exhibitions such as POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION (12,000 sq ft in Boeing Hall with 150+ authentic artifacts) and The Blue Whale Story. Programmatic offerings include SciFest quarterly expos, Public Telescope Viewing and Solar Sundays with the St. Louis Astronomical Society, Science Center Up Late adult events, and the Loeb Prize educator award.

The business model combines free general admission with diversified revenue streams: ticketed premium experiences (OMNIMAX at $11.50, special exhibitions from $15, Up Late at $15-$20), annual Family & Friends and Family & Friends MAX memberships, corporate sponsorships (BJC HealthCare as presenting collaborator, plus Ameren Missouri, BMW, Nestlé Purina, St. Luke's), donations and ZMD public funding, and event rentals. Distribution is regional and primarily walk-in supplemented by online ticketing (slsc.org), school field trip bookings, and channel partnerships (Drury Hotels as official hotel partner, Hi-Pointe Drive-In cross-promotions). Awards in 2025-2026 include Newsweek America's Best Free Museum and USA Today 10Best rankings (including #1 Best Planetarium 2025).

Name

Saint Louis Science Center

Legal name

Saint Louis Science Center

Website

https://slsc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Saint Louis Science Center is a nonprofit science museum in St. Louis, Missouri, offering free general admission to 10+ hands-on galleries, an OMNIMAX Theater, and the newly upgraded McDonnell Planetarium. It serves regional families, K-12 school groups, and adult visitors, funded through a mix of public subsidy, ticketed attractions, memberships, and corporate sponsorships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum and Cultural Institution

NAICS

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

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

Keywords

• Science museum exhibits
• Planetarium star shows
• IMAX dome theater
• STEM education programs
• Interactive science gallery

Headquarters

HQ city

St Louis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Gifts: The Science Center relies heavily on donations and charitable contributions from the community to support operations and programs. Supported by the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District.
2. Membership Program: Family & Friends and Family & Friends MAX memberships with benefits including free planetarium shows, discounts at partner restaurants, and free OMNIMAX admission for members.
3. OMNIMAX Theater Admissions: Ticketed film screenings in the OMNIMAX Theater. Adults $11.50, free for members. One of only nine IMAX Dome with Laser theaters in the world.
4. Special Exhibition Tickets: Premium ticketed experiences for special exhibitions like POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION (starting at $15), providing significant revenue alongside free general admission.
5. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with companies like BJC HealthCare (presenting collaborator), Ameren Missouri, BMW, and others for specific events and programs.
6. Planetarium Shows: Ticketed planetarium star shows in the newly upgraded McDonnell Planetarium, free for Science Center members.
7. Event Rental and Private Events: Venue rental for events including the adult-focused Science Center Up Late series, birthday parties, and group bookings.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Saint Louis Science Center is a nonprofit science museum offering free general admission to ten plus permanent hands-on galleries, with revenue generated through ticketed premium experiences including the OMNIMAX Theater, James S. McDonnell Planetarium, and rotating special exhibitions such as POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION. It also delivers STEM-focused educational programs (field trips, Youth Exploring Science, Loeb Prize, SciFest expos), adult event series (Science Center Up Late), event rentals, and annual memberships.

Product overview

The Saint Louis Science Center is a science museum offering a unified portfolio of attractions, galleries, exhibitions, programs, and events. Core attractions include the OMNIMAX Theater (one of only nine IMAX Dome with Laser theaters worldwide) and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium (ranked #1 Best Planetarium by USA Today). The center features 10+ galleries including GROW (agricultural science), Life Science Lab, Experience Energy, Makerspace, and Discovery Room. Special traveling exhibitions like POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION and The Blue Whale Story complement permanent offerings. Educational programs include SciFest expos, Public Telescope Viewing with St. Louis Astronomical Society, Solar Sundays, and the Loeb Prize for educators. The center operates as one of the few free-admission science museums in the United States, with free entry to all attractions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• James S. McDonnell Planetarium: Planetarium featuring the Bill and Laura Orthwein StarBay Theater, offering astronomy shows and telescope viewing
• OMNIMAX Theater
• SciFest
• Science Center Up Late
• Loeb Prize

Products and services

• OMNIMAX Theater A five-story domed IMAX Dome with Laser theater presenting documentary films such as Superhuman Body (narrated by Matthew McConaughey) for general public and school audiences.
• James S. McDonnell Planetarium Planetarium offering hybrid star projection and full-dome data visualization shows in the Bill and Laura Orthwein StarBay Theater, ranked #1 Best Planetarium by USA Today Readers' Choice Awards 2025.
• POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION Special exhibition in Boeing Hall featuring mosaics, frescoes, statuary, and immersive 4-D simulation of the Mount Vesuvius eruption; tickets starting at $15.
• The Blue Whale Story Special exhibition featuring an 80-foot full-scale replica blue whale skeleton and marine science programming.
• SciFest Event Series Free quarterly day-long expos connecting the public with STEM professionals through hands-on experiences, including Sci-FEAST (food science), Great Outdoors Expo, and Play and Creativity Expo.
• Science Center Up Late Adult (21+) after-hours events held up to four times yearly, exploring STEM themes such as sound, neuroscience, and innovation through social programming.
• EV Experience Annual free event showcasing electric vehicle technology with interactive exhibits, vehicle displays, and test drive opportunities.
• Family & Friends Membership Program Annual membership program with Family & Friends and MAX tiers offering free planetarium shows, free OMNIMAX admission, and discounts at partner restaurants and attractions.
• School Field Trips Structured school group visits with STEM curriculum-aligned hands-on activities, observatory access, and educator support for K-12 audiences.
• Group Visits, Birthday Parties, and Private Event Rentals Bookable venue experiences including birthday parties, group visits, corporate events, and private event rentals at the Science Center campus.
• Public Telescope Viewing (Star Party) Monthly nighttime telescope viewing events co-hosted with the St. Louis Astronomical Society featuring public astronomy education.
• Solar Sundays Daytime solar telescope viewing sessions offered in partnership with the St. Louis Astronomical Society during summer months.
• GROW Agricultural Science Gallery Permanent gallery featuring a self-sustaining aquaponic greenhouse that explores food cultivation, farming, and agricultural sustainability.
• Makerspace Hands-on making and creation space where visitors engage in DIY projects and creative learning activities.
• Life Science Lab Permanent gallery exploring life sciences, medical innovations, human biology, and nature-inspired healthcare solutions.
• Experience Energy Interactive gallery teaching alternate methods of electrical generation, energy conservation, and the pros and cons of various energy sources including electric vehicles.
• Discovery Room Interactive learning space for young scientists ages 6 months to 6 years with age-appropriate hands-on activities.
• Mission: Mars Space exploration exhibit featuring life-sized Mars rover replicas, photos, artifacts, and space materials including Gemini and Mercury capsules.
• Experience Flight Simulators Flight simulation attraction allowing guests to experience flying through interactive simulator technology.
• Inside The Vault Gallery featuring artifacts and collections from the Science Center's vault, showcasing unique scientific specimens and historical items.
• The Odyssey Exhibition New attraction/exhibition at the Saint Louis Science Center opening July 16, 2026.
• Superhuman Body (OMNIMAX Film) IMAX documentary film narrated by Matthew McConaughey exploring groundbreaking medical innovations that allow humans to live longer, healthier lives.
• The Odyssey Exhibition New exhibition opening at the Science Center.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked #1 Best Planetarium in USA Today 10Best Readers' Choice Awards 2025
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hi-Pointe Drive-InminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership featuring limited-time Intergalactic Brownie Shake supporting local programs. Science Center members receive 10% off with membership card. Guests purchasing the shake receive $10 off Family & Friends or MAX memberships.
• Drury HotelsminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 November 2025Official hotel partner of the Saint Louis Science Center. Provides accommodation recommendations for out-of-town visitors. Science Center promotes Drury Hotels to visitors planning a trip to St. Louis.
• Nestlé Purina PetCare CompanyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 November 2025Supporting sponsor for Sci-FEAST event. Provided pet nutrition information and touch-therapy dog teams at the food science expo.
• St. Luke'sminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 November 2025Supporting sponsor for Sci-FEAST event. Provided nutrition, diet and health activities with hands-on demonstrations.
• Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of HearingminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 September 2025Partner for inaugural Deaf Day event. Collaborated to remove communication barriers and create accessible learning environment with ASL interpreters throughout the facility.
• Steampunk Brew WorksminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2025Craft brewery partner for Science Center Up Late: Experience Sound event. Provided specialty crafted 'Stempunk Lager' themed liquor for the adult-focused STEM social event.
• Washington University Neuroscience OutreachminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Academic partner for Science Center Up Late: Experience Sound. Partnered on activities testing limits of human hearing and pitch recognition.
• World Heritage Exhibitions (NEON)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2025Producer of POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION. Part of NEON, a global leader in immersive experiences. Provides nearly 150 authentic artifacts from National Archaeological Museum of Naples and Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
• National Archaeological Museum of NaplescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 April 2025Italy's world-class museum housing artifacts from Pompeii excavation. Primary source of nearly 150 authentic artifacts for POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION.
• BJC HealthCarecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2025Local presenting collaborator for Superhuman Body OMNIMAX film, SciFest events, and additional programming throughout the year. Supports STEM educational opportunities, promotes innovation in healthcare, and fosters community engagement.
• MacGillivray Freeman FilmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2025World's foremost independent producer of giant screen 70mm films. Producer of Superhuman Body OMNIMAX film narrated by Matthew McConaughey about medical science innovations.
• Ameren MissouricoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 March 2025Partner for EV Experience event showcasing electric vehicle technology. Provided test drive vehicles including Ford Mustang Mach E, Chevy Equinox EV, Tesla models. Hosted EV 101 online presentations.
• St. Louis Area BMW CenterscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 10 March 2025Partner for EV Experience event providing full lineup of BMW electric vehicles for test drives including i4, i5, i7, and iX models. Shared commitment to innovation and electrification.
• St. Louis Astronomical SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Monthly Star Party co-host on first Friday of each month, and Solar Sunday daytime telescope viewing sessions May through Labor Day. Society sets up telescopes and answers questions at public viewing events.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Discovery Lab (Tulsa, OK): Children's science museum in Tulsa, OK where the incoming Science Center CEO previously served as founding Executive Director. Highly comparable hands-on STEM mission and operating model.
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI): Pacific Northwest science museum offering hands-on STEM exhibits, planetarium shows, and educational programs; directly comparable in mission and visitor experience to the Science Center.
• Exploratorium (San Francisco): Hands-on science learning museum with hundreds of interactive exhibits; closely aligns with SLSC's gallery-based interactive STEM model and educational mission.
• Discovery World (Milwaukee): Interactive science and technology center in the Midwest featuring hands-on exhibits and educational programming; closely comparable to SLSC in scale, mission, and offerings.
• Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, NJ): Interactive science center featuring IMAX theater, hands-on labs, and educational programming; direct peer in scale, exhibits, and school field trip orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago): One of the largest science museums in the U.S. with a five-story domed theater and interactive exhibits; operates at a significantly larger scale and brand recognition than SLSC.
• California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco-based science museum featuring aquarium, planetarium, and natural history exhibits under one roof; broader scope than SLSC but directly comparable as a multi-attraction science institution.
• Field Museum (Chicago): Major natural history and science museum comparable in exhibit scale; broader focus on natural history collections, but overlaps on science education programming.

Regional players

• The Magic House (St. Louis Children's Museum): Local St. Louis children's museum competing for family visitation and field trip share; relevant regional peer for hands-on educational experiences.

Others

• Saint Louis Science Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate; the Smithsonian Institution is a partner/peers in the science museum ecosystem: Smithsonian Institution (parent affiliate network) — provides national brand affiliation and access to traveling exhibits that flow benefits to SLSC, representing an indirect competitive and capability benchmark in the science museum space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/slsc
• Facebookfacebook.com/slscfb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saint-louis-science-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Saint Louis Science Center