What Imagination Station does

Imagination Station is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) hands-on science center located on the Maumee River in downtown Toledo, Ohio. Founded in its current form on October 10, 2009 — and tracing its institutional lineage to COSI Toledo (1997) — the center operates a single physical facility at 1 Discovery Way, employing 51–100 staff and serving over 2 million cumulative visitors since reopening. Its core offering is a portfolio of eight permanent "Learning World" exhibits (Water Works, IDEA Lab, Eat It Up!, Energy Factory, Grow U, Little KIDSPACE, Mind Zone, plus the temporary Unofficial Galaxies Star Wars exhibit), supported by attractions such as Extreme Science live demonstrations, a Saab 340 flight simulator, a high-wire cycle, a simulator theater, and the 8,200-square-foot KeyBank Discovery Theater. Programming extends beyond the building through two mobile Tinkering Vans, outreach programs delivered to schools, libraries and community centers, summer camps, scout workshops, an Invention Convention hub (affiliate of The Henry Ford), and the Toledo Tinkers culturally responsive initiative serving underserved children ages 11–13.

The business model is a hybrid of earned and contributed revenue. Earned revenue comes from tiered general admissions (Adults $22 / Lucas County $20; Kids $20 / $18; Seniors $21 / $19; children under 2 free; Lucas County kids free Saturdays; Museums for All $3 for SNAP/WIC families), seven annual membership tiers ranging from $120 (Individual) to $1,000 (Gold), school field trips at $7–$8 per student, outreach programs priced from $200 to $1,200 plus $1/mile beyond Lucas County, group tickets at $8 per person (15+), birthday party packages at $325–$375, simulator rides at $2 and 3D films at $5 ($4.50 for members), and venue rentals for corporate events, weddings and private screenings. Contributed revenue is sourced from individual donations, corporate sponsorships (KeyBank, ProMedica, The Andersons, First Solar, Cenovus, BP-Husky, Dana, Designetics, Toledo Refining Company, Savage & Associates, Taylor Automotive Family, NAMSA), foundation grants, a 0.17 mill Lucas County operating levy approved in 2008, and a retail gift shop (Science2Go) plus the Atomic Cafe. The center is governed by an independent Board of Directors (chaired by David F. Waterman of Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick), with Lori Hauser as CEO, Sloan Eberly Mann as Chief Education Officer and Carl Nelson as Chief Scientist.

Customers span families with children (K-8) as the primary audience, Pre-K–12 school groups in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, homeschool families, annual member households, educators (free admission with school ID), corporate and social event organizers, and corporate/individual donors. There is no digital product, SaaS offering or remote distribution channel; all monetization flows through the single physical site, off-site outreach delivery, or reciprocal benefits extended via a network of 300+ partner science centers.

Name

Imagination Station

Legal name

Imagination Station

Website

https://imaginationstationtoledo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Imagination Station is a nonprofit hands-on STEAM science center in downtown Toledo, Ohio, operating interactive exhibits, a large-format theater, mobile Tinkering Vans, and educational outreach programs for families, Pre-K–12 school groups, members, and event renters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Science Museum & Informal STEAM Education Center

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA), Makerspace, Innovation Lab & Fab Lab Operations (Tools, Safety, Programming) (EDAEAGAI), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG)

Keywords

• Hands-on science exhibits
• STEAM education programs
• Interactive science center
• School field trips
• Children's museum programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Toledo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: Visitors pay per-visit admission fees. Adults (13-64) are $22 (or $20 for Lucas County residents), Seniors (65+) $21 ($19 Lucas County), Kids (3-12) $20 ($18 Lucas County), with free admission for children 2 and under and Lucas County kids every Saturday. Theater tickets are $5 per person ($4.50 for members). Simulator rides are $2 per person. One-time, consumption-based revenue from individual visitors.
2. Memberships: Annual memberships sold at multiple tiers: Individual $120, Grandparent $130, Family $135, Family Plus $175, Copper $250, Silver $500, Gold $1000. Memberships provide unlimited admission, free simulator rides, discounts, and reciprocal benefits with 300+ science centers. Recurring annual subscription revenue with strong member retention and upsell potential.
3. Donations and Grants: Donations from individuals and corporations, plus grants from foundations. The Adopt-A-School program is funded entirely by corporate and foundation sponsors. No specific total revenue disclosed.
4. Facility and Venue Rentals: Science center and theater rentals for corporate events, weddings, private screenings, and community gatherings. Theater rental with 58-foot 4K screen, concessions, and bar service. Birthday parties at $325 (members) and $375 (non-members). Event rental is a separate revenue-generating line.
5. Science2Go Retail Gift Shop: On-site gift shop selling science-themed toys, apparel, educational games, slime kits, and souvenirs. 10% member discount. One-time purchase revenue at point of sale.
6. Outreach and Field Trip Programs: Fee-based outreach programs delivered at schools, libraries, and community centers. Rate card: Activity Tables $200, Assembly Programs $375, Science Festivals $1,200, STARLAB, Workshops on Wheels $250-$450, plus $1.00/mile outside Lucas County. Field trip admission: $7 Lucas County, $8 non-Lucas County, plus $7 per participant for workshops and $5.50 for 3D films. Workshop on Wheels brings STEM education off-site to schools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Imagination Station is a nonprofit hands-on science center operating eight permanent Learning World exhibitions, four attractions including a flight simulator and 20-foot high wire cycle, and the KeyBank Discovery Theater featuring 3D films on a 58-foot 4K screen. The center delivers educational programs (field trips, outreach, summer camps, Adopt-A-School, Invention Convention, DIY activities) and visitor amenities (Atomic Cafe, Science2Go retail, event rentals, birthday parties) at its single Toledo, Ohio location, supplemented by two mobile Tinkering Vans. It also operates a tiered membership program (Individual $120 to Gold $1,000) and a reciprocal network with 300+ science centers.

Product overview

Imagination Station is a nonprofit hands-on science center in Toledo, Ohio offering a multi-layered portfolio of exhibits, attractions, educational programs, and visitor amenities. The core experience consists of seven Learning World exhibitions (Unofficial Galaxies, IDEA Lab, Water Works, Eat It Up!, Energy Factory, Grow U, Little KIDSPACE, Mind Zone) plus four attractions (Extreme Science Demonstrations, Flight Simulator, High Wire Cycle, Simulator Theater). Educational programming spans Field Trips, Outreach Programs, Summer Camps, Scout Workshops, DIY Activities, Adopt-A-School, Toledo Tinkers, and the Invention Convention. The venue features the KeyBank Discovery Theater for 3D films and community events, plus amenities including Memberships, Event Rentals, Birthday Parties, Atomic Cafe, and Science2Go retail. The science center serves approximately 300,000+ visitors annually with 300+ outreach programs per year and reaches 4,000+ students through Adopt-A-School and 6,000 families through Take Home Tinkering Kits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Unofficial Galaxies (traveling Star Wars exhibit) A limited-time traveling exhibit featuring over 100 pieces of iconic Star Wars memorabilia including a real Landspeeder, signed scripts, screen-accurate costumes, and LEGO displays, running May 23 through August 23, 2026. Targeted at families, Star Wars fans, and general visitors.
• IDEA Lab A permanent installation featuring hands-on exhibits and cutting-edge fabrication technology including an Animation Station, Air Cars, Circuit Table, Flying Things wind tunnel, Marble Run, and a Tinkering Space with monthly free workshops. Sponsored by NAMSA.
• Water Works

Quantifiable outcome

• 300 outreach programs per year
• +6 more outcomes

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, minor and core.

• KeyBankflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2019KeyBank was the naming sponsor of the KeyBank Discovery Theater, an $12 million privately funded addition opened May 28, 2021. The 8,200-square-foot addition includes a premium large-format theater, projection room, expanded concourse, concessions, restrooms, and retail space. This was the single largest addition to the building since Imagination Station's opening.
• 13abc (Toledo television station)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 September 2010Partnership with local ABC affiliate 13abc to broadcast 'Imagine It!' — fun and informative science experiment segments — every Saturday morning. First video aired September 4, 2010, featuring Sloan Eberly Mann demonstrating the hurricane chamber.
• The AndersonscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitle sponsor of the Grow U exhibit, which explores the science of agriculture, food, soil, and farming from seed to table at local and global scales. The Andersons is a Toledo-based agribusiness.
• ProMedicacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the Eat It Up! exhibit, which focuses on diet, nutrition, activity, and lifestyle choices. ProMedica is a major regional healthcare system (Deb Brobst, a ProMedica representative, also serves on the Board of Directors).
• BP-Husky Refining, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the Energy Factory exhibit with First Solar. Energy Factory explores the science of energy through interactive exhibits focused on renewable sources, conservation, and innovation. BP-Husky Refining is a major employer in the region.
• First SolarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the Energy Factory exhibit with BP-Husky Refining, LLC. First Solar is a manufacturer of solar panels headquartered in Perrysville, Ohio, with regional operations.
• NAMSAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor of the IDEA Lab exhibit at Imagination Station. NAMSA is a medical device testing organization. IDEA Lab features cutting-edge technology including laser cutters, 3D printers, and animation stations.
• Taylor Automotive FamilycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenter/sponsor of the Invention Convention program. Imagination Station is the official first hub of the Ohio Invention League (affiliate of Invention Convention Worldwide at The Henry Ford). Taylor Automotive Family is a presenting sponsor of this initiative.
• Ohio Invention League / The Henry FordcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImagination Station is officially the first hub of the Ohio Invention League, an affiliate of Invention Convention Worldwide powered by The Henry Ford. This partnership expands access to invention education across the Toledo region and provides STEAM-based invention education to students and educators.
• 300+ Science Centers (Reciprocal Membership Network)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorImagination Station members enjoy reciprocal benefits at over 300 science centers globally. This network allows members to visit partner institutions at reduced or no additional cost, extending the value of membership beyond Imagination Station's physical location.
• Cenovus EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-sponsor of the Energy Factory exhibit alongside First Solar. Cenovus Energy is an integrated energy company.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• COSI (Center of Science and Industry): Ohio-based hands-on science center in Columbus with interactive exhibits, planetarium, and educational programming. Direct peer given shared Ohio footprint, similar hands-on science mission, and overlapping member/visitor demographics.
• Great Lakes Science Center: Cleveland-based science center and STEM education provider with hands-on exhibits, OMNIMAX theater, and outreach programming. Closely comparable regional Midwest science center with similar exhibit, theater, and education model.
• Michigan Science Center: Detroit-based science center serving Michigan families and school groups. Direct comparable given neighboring regional catchment (southeast Michigan is part of Imagination Station's outreach region) and similar hands-on STEAM exhibits.
• Carnegie Science Center: Pittsburgh-based science center operated by Carnegie Museums. Comparable operating model with hands-on exhibits, large-format theater (XPLOR Store), and reciprocal ASTC membership participation.
• Discovery World: Milwaukee-based science and technology center on the lakefront. Direct Midwest regional peer with interactive exhibits, theater, and educational programming for families and schools.
• The Works Museum: Bloomington, MN hands-on engineering and science museum for kids. Comparable hands-on STEM focus, family and school field trip model, and educational programming for younger audiences.
• Liberty Science Center: Jersey City, NJ science center with interactive exhibits, IMAX theater, and STEM education programs. Comparable operating model as a regional nonprofit science center with similar revenue mix and school programming.
• Boonshoft Museum of Discovery: Dayton, OH museum of discovery with hands-on science exhibits, astronomy programming, and family/school audiences. Comparable Midwestern regional science museum operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago): One of the largest science museums in the U.S. located in Chicago. Significantly larger scale but operates in the broader Midwest science museum category with similar hands-on exhibits and reciprocal ASTC membership.

Others

• Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC): Industry association that administers the reciprocal science center membership program of which Imagination Station is a member. Not a competitor but a key ecosystem partner enabling member value and benchmarking.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/istscience
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCbsKX5WM_SbHQvjGGVbRzog
• Facebookfacebook.com/imaginationstationtoledo
• Instagraminstagram.com/imaginationstationtoledo
• TikToktiktok.com/@imaginationstation419
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imagination-station

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Imagination Station