ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum

What ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum does

ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-supported hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) museum located in a 26,000-square-foot leased facility at 1500 E. Main St. in Ashland, Oregon. Founded in 2002 through a cooperative arrangement with the Kirlin Charitable Foundation and Southern Oregon University, the museum serves learners of all ages across Southern Oregon and Northern California through interactive exhibits (including Peter Tobey's Dreamland, a K'Nex sculpture exhibit; Ripple Effect, a heated water table; the Subterranean Science cave exhibit; the Science Theater; and the rotating Art in STEAM gallery), facilitated programming, and field trip and outreach curricula. The museum is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday and is led by Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria (appointed 2024, AAAS Fellow, previously of the Burke Museum and Denver Museum of Nature & Science) with a small core team supported by seasonal educators and volunteers; since 2002 it has served over 1 million visitors and 100,000+ K-12 students.

The museum's operating model is multi-revenue-stream: gate admissions ($9-$12.50 per visit with $3 Museums for All pricing, $5 First Sundays, and free admission for teachers, ASTC Passport members, and children under 2), tiered annual memberships (Individual/Duet at $50, Family at $115, Family Plus at $150, Grandparent at $95, premium Explorers Circle at $900, Champions Circle at $2,000, and Business/Business Plus at $500-$1,500+), fee-based summer camps and after-school programs (including a partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley), birthday party packages ($170-$255 plus workshop and goody bag add-ons), venue rental, on-site retail at the Explore Store, corporate sponsorships, individual donations, and foundation grants (Carrico, Ford Family, Bolger, Cow Creek Umpqua Indian, Lithia, Ames, Autzen, Naumes, Murdock, Bessemer Trust, Roundhouse, Carpenter, and others). In 2024 the museum served 15,403 visitors, 9,210 field trip students, and 1,885 outreach-program students, with 43% of tickets offered at reduced cost and 3,342 volunteer hours contributed.

Recent strategic activity centers on a refresh of the exhibit portfolio (the 2025 Ripple Effect water table and 2026 Peter Tobey's Dreamland K'Nex exhibit), expanded foundation and corporate fundraising, premium-tier membership pricing, and partnership-driven programming (with the Heartisan Foundation on The Home Project exhibition, Oregon State University on air quality monitoring under the ASP3IRE study, the DC Environmental Film Festival, and Ashland Food Co-op on the Change for Good round-up program). The museum participates in the ASTC Passport reciprocal admission network covering 300+ science centers nationwide, and is the only hands-on science museum of its scale in its primary service area, with 2,000+ member households regionally.

Name

ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum

Legal name

ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum

Website

https://scienceworksmuseum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit interactive STEAM museum in Ashland, Oregon, serving K-12 students, families, and community members across Southern Oregon and Northern California through hands-on exhibits, summer camps, field trips, birthday parties, and membership programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Museum / Interactive Science Education

NAICS

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

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), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG), Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

Keywords

• Hands-on science museum
• STEAM education programs
• Interactive exhibits
• Museum summer camps
• Field trip programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Ashland

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

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: Daily admission fees for visitors. Adults $12.50, children 2+ $10.50, seniors $10.50, students $10.50, military with ID receive 10% discount, teachers with ID free, ASTC Passport members free, group rates $9.00 per person for groups of 8+
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual memberships sold at multiple tiers including Individual/Duet ($50/year), Family ($115/year), Family Plus ($150/year), and Grandparent ($95/year). Monthly payment plans available. Premium tiers include Explorers Circle ($900/year) and Champions Circle ($2,000/year). Business memberships start at $500/year for Basic and $1,500+/year for Business Plus.
3. Birthday Party Packages: Birthday party rentals in Celebration Room with 90-minute time slots. Member prices: $170 (up to 20 guests), $230 (21-30 guests). Non-member prices: $195/$255. Optional 30-minute workshop add-on for $125. Optional themed goody bags at $9.95 each.
4. Summer Camps and After-School Programs: Fee-based educational programs including summer camps (Shark Week, Minecraft Quest, Wildlife Doctors, Sports Center camps) and after-school programs in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley.
5. Explore Store (Retail): On-site gift shop offering mission-related merchandise that extends visitor experience. Members receive 10% discount on non-discounted items.
6. Venue Rental: Private rental of museum facilities including Celebration Room for events. Discounts available for members.
7. Donations: Tax-deductible donations supporting museum operations, educational programs, and exhibit development. 2024 year-end campaign exceeded $20,000 goal, raising $24,443 from 101 unique donors with average gift of $242.
8. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship and giving program offering logo placement in newsletters, website, and social media; sponsor signage in museum and program materials; recognition in press campaigns and special events. Benefits include brand association with STEAM education mission.
9. Grants and Foundation Support: Grant funding from foundations including The Carrico Foundation ($50,000 for water table), Ford Family Foundation (water table funding), Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation ($7,500 for Museums for All), Bolger Foundation ($50,000 Challenge Grant), and various other foundation support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum operates a 26,000-square-foot interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) museum in Ashland, Oregon, offering hands-on exhibits (such as the K'Nex Dreamland exhibit, hydrodynamics water table, and cave exhibit), educational programs including field trips, summer camps, and after-school classes, birthday party packages, venue rentals, and an on-site retail store. The museum also runs community events, a membership program with ASTC Passport access, and accepts donations, grants, and corporate sponsorships.

Product overview

ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum is an interactive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) museum in Ashland, Oregon. The museum offers a diverse portfolio of hands-on exhibits including Peter Tobey's Dreamland (K'Nex sculptures), Ripple Effect: Hands-On with Hydrodynamics (interactive water table), the Science Theater for live demonstrations, and the Art in STEAM gallery. Educational programs include summer camps, field trips, after-school programs, and birthday party packages with optional workshops. The museum operates on a membership model with tiered benefits including ASTC Passport access. Notable events include the annual Flynn Creek Circus, Earth Day celebrations, and community events like Monster Ball and NOON Year's Eve.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Peter Tobey's Dreamland Exhibit An immersive K'Nex construction exhibit featuring hundreds of original creations by Ashland artist Peter Tobey, including towering sculptures, kinetic sculptures, a giant crawling bug, wearable crowns, and hands-on building areas. Celebrates creativity and lifelong learning for museum visitors of all ages.
• Ripple Effect: Hands-On with Hydrodynamics Exhibit Interactive water table exhibit featuring movable water wheels, turbines with LED lights, adjustable waterfalls, dams, aqueducts, and cascades. Teaches hydrodynamics and hydraulics through hands-on experimentation for visitors of all ages.
• Birthday Party Packages Hands-on science-themed birthday party experiences with private party room rental for 90 minutes in the Celebration Room, museum admission for the day, optional add-on workshops (Robotics in Space, Microscope Lab, Electrification), and themed goody bags. Available for members and non-members.
• Summer Camps Hands-on STEAM learning camps offered during school breaks, including Shark Week Camp, Minecraft Quest Camp, Wildlife Doctors Camp, Sports Center Camp, and Curtain Call Academy, designed for various age groups with themed activities.
• Field Trips Educational museum visits for K-12 school groups, aligned with curriculum standards, including guided tours and hands-on activities tailored to different grade levels.
• After-School Programs STEAM-focused educational programs for students outside regular school hours, developed in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley.
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership offering unlimited free admission, guest passes, discounts on programs and camps, birthday party discounts, venue rental discounts, and free admission to member events, including ASTC Passport access to 300+ science centers nationwide.
• Hands-On Happenings Weekend Programs Weekend facilitated activities including painting pendulum, exploration station, and tinkering studio activities. Free with membership or admission on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 AM to 2 PM.
• Venue Rental Private rental of museum facilities including the Celebration Room for events, with discounts available for members.
• General Museum Admission Walk-in admission to the museum offering access to interactive exhibits, with special pricing such as $5 admission on the first Sunday of every month and $3 admission for Museums for All program (SNAP/Oregon Trail Card holders). Adults $12.50, children 2+ $10.50.
• Explore Store Retail On-site gift shop offering mission-related science-themed merchandise, educational toys, and museum memorabilia. Members receive 10% discount on non-discounted items.

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 1 million visitors and 100,000+ K-12 students since 2002
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

68 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• Southern Oregon SubaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Day 2026 sponsor providing free plants for attendees.
• Ashland Food Co-opmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner for Change for Good round-up program and Earth Day sponsor. Reading in Ashland program supporter guaranteeing free ScienceWorks passes for every first-grader in Ashland annually.
• Recology AshlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Day 2026 sponsor.
• True South SolarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Day 2026 sponsor.
• Varsity Theatre/CatheatresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Day 2026 sponsor.
• First Interstate BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Day 2026 sponsor.
• People's BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Day 2026 sponsor.
• BBSIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Day 2026 sponsor.
• CostcominorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Day 2026 sponsor.
• Avista FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarth Day 2026 sponsor.
• Southern Oregon SubaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor contributing to museum programs and community engagement.
• Rogue Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Jackson Care ConnectminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor, part of CareOregon Family.
• Blue MarbleminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Work SharpminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Pacific AutomationminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• The Jefferson CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Ashland Property ManagementminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• JT ElectricminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Allcare HealthminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Evergreen Federal BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Gateway Real EstateminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• MaskItminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• BioMedminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• LithiaminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor and Lithia4Kids partner.
• Dr. Brandt Cullen DDSminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• DavidsonminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Project AminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Talent Maker CityminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• CascademinorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• Summit Beverage DistributionminorGTM or Marketing Partner2025 sponsor.
• United Way of Jackson CountyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFoundation partner.
• Heartisan FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partner in The Home Project exhibition. Ashland-based photographer Abram Katz founded Heartisan to create collaborative portrait and storytelling exhibitions exploring belonging in Southern Oregon.
• Museum of Art & History Santa CruzminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLook Me in the Eyes exhibition at this museum inspired The Home Project concept.
• Life ArtminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating organization in The Home Project.
• La ClinicaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating organization in The Home Project.
• UNETE OregonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating organization in The Home Project. Mexican-American community advocacy organization.
• Friends of the AnimalsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerParticipating organization in The Home Project.
• DC Environmental Film FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for free documentary screenings including Finding Gulo and Person of the Forest films.
• Anima Mundi ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Mass for the Endangered screening and community art project celebrating endangered species.
• Karen Haken (Artist)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConceptualized and oversaw community artwork installation for Mass for the Endangered screening event.
• Pollinator Project Rogue ValleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal resource for native plant information referenced in World Bee Day content.
• Homegrown National ParkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNationwide effort for native plants referenced in World Bee Day content.
• Shooting Star NurseryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlant donations for pollinator garden.
• Ashland GreenhousesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlant donations for pollinator garden.
• Vh Contracting LLCminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMulch provision for native plant restoration.
• Southern Oregon UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner2001 cooperative arrangement with Kirlin Charitable Foundation for building lease. Served community educational needs.
• Flynn Creek CircusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual circus performances at ScienceWorks grounds. Celebrating 20+ years of partnership. 2026 production: The Cricket & the Wren.
• Ashland Climate CollaborativeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Wildfire Ready Community Meeting & Info Session.
• Oregon State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAir quality monitoring research partnership in collaboration with city of Ashland and PurpleAir as part of national ASP3IRE study.
• Ashland Fire & RescueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvided air purifiers enabling clean air shelter during wildfire smoke events.
• Confederated Tribes of Grand RondeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndigenous land acknowledgment partner. Living descendants of Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of the region.
• Confederated Tribes of Siletz IndiansminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIndigenous land acknowledgment partner. Living descendants of Takelma, Shasta, and Latgawa peoples of the region.
• The Nature Conservancy ColoradominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard membership of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• American Institute of Biological SciencesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard membership of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• American Alliance of Museums Accreditation ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard membership of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• National Parks Conservation Association Wildlife CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard membership of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program UC Santa CruzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoard membership of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• Burke Museum of Natural History and CultureminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious employer of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• Denver Museum of Nature & ScienceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious employer of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria (VP and Chief Curator of Science Division).
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious federal roles of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria (Senior Science Advisor to Director and Forensic Science Branch Chief).
• Defenders of WildlifeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious employer of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• National Fish and Wildlife FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious employer of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• National Wildlife FederationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious employer of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• Natural Resources Defense CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrevious employer of Executive Director Dr. Gabriela Chavarria.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue ValleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for expanded teen after-school programming.
• Ashland School DistrictminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAllowing use of high school parking lot as additional parking for Earth Day event.
• Ashland Rotary ClubminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for annual Reading in Ashland program guaranteeing free ScienceWorks passes for every first-grader in Ashland.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Pacific Science Center: Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Washington, is a major hands-on science center serving the Pacific Northwest with similar STEAM exhibits, IMAX theater, and educational programming. It shares ASTC Passport membership reciprocity with ScienceWorks and competes for regional tourism and educational visits.
• Explora: Explora is an interactive science and art museum in Albuquerque, New Mexico, offering hands-on exhibits, birthday parties, and educational programs. Similar to ScienceWorks, it operates as a community-supported nonprofit focused on curiosity-based learning for all ages.
• Arizona Science Center: Arizona Science Center in Phoenix is a hands-on science museum featuring permanent and traveling exhibits, educational programming, and a science store. Comparable to ScienceWorks in offering interactive STEAM experiences for school groups and families, though at a larger scale.
• EcoTarium: EcoTarium is a hands-on science and nature museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, with similar exhibit, membership, and school field trip programming. It is a comparable regional science museum focused on interactive STEAM learning.
• Science Factory Children's Museum: Located in Eugene, Oregon, Science Factory is a hands-on science museum serving K-12 students and families in the Southern Willamette Valley. As a nearby Oregon peer of comparable size and mission, it competes for regional school district partnerships and family memberships.
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI): OMSI is the premier hands-on science museum in Portland, Oregon, operating in the same state as ScienceWorks and serving the broader Pacific Northwest. It competes for regional school field trips, memberships, and family visits, making it the most directly comparable peer for visitor programming and exhibit strategy.
• Discovery Museum: Discovery Museum operates hands-on science centers in Connecticut serving families and school groups with interactive exhibits and educational programming. Comparable in scale and mission to ScienceWorks as a regional science museum focused on early childhood and family STEAM learning.

Others

• Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC): ASTC is the professional association that connects ScienceWorks with 300+ science centers worldwide through the Passport Program. While not a direct competitor, ASTC membership provides reciprocal visitation, professional development, and grant opportunities that are central to ScienceWorks' value proposition.

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Science Center: Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh is a large, established science center offering hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, and educational programming. While much larger than ScienceWorks, it operates with a similar mission and serves as an aspirational comparable for exhibit programming and educational impact.

Regional players

• Children's Museum of Sonoma County: Children's Museum of Sonoma County operates in Northern California, a region also served by ScienceWorks. It offers hands-on exhibits and educational programming for young children, overlapping partially with ScienceWorks' family and early-childhood segments.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 ScienceWorks Hands-On Museum