Sternberg Museum of Natural History

What Sternberg Museum of Natural History does

The Sternberg Museum of Natural History is a public natural history museum established in 1999 and operated as a department of Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. It advances appreciation and understanding of Earth's natural history with an emphasis on the Great Plains through research, publications, collections, interpretive exhibits, and educational programs. The museum serves families, K-12 students, educators, researchers, and educational tourists across the Midwest, broader United States, and select international destinations (Ecuador, Australia, Costa Rica).

The museum's core products are its permanent and traveling exhibits and its Sternberg Science Camps program. Exhibits range from permanent collections of paleontological, zoological, and entomological specimens (approximately 80,000 individually pinned entomology specimens alone) to rotating blockbuster installations such as 'Expedition Dinosaur' (2024) and forthcoming 2025 shows 'Animal Armor' and 'Water's Extreme Journey.' The Science Camps program spans elementary day camps ($190), middle school overnight programs ($1,837-$2,673), and an 18-tier high school catalog ($3,731-$6,669) covering field paleontology, lab methods, research academy, and scientific illustration at sites across Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Tennessee, Missouri, the Dakotas, California, and Oregon. Underlying capabilities include a fossil preparation laboratory, medical diagnostic X-ray and CT imaging, QR-tagged specimen databases, and curated integration with iNaturalist and eBird for citizen-science data collection.

The business model combines earned revenue and philanthropic support. Earned streams include museum admissions, Science Camps tuition (pay-as-you-go with scholarships available), the Excavations Gift Shop (online and on-site), event and birthday party rentals ($50 base + $5 per participant), guided tours, traveling exhibit rentals ($6,000 per 3-month rental), and an annual membership program (10% gift shop discount, admissions benefits). Designated donations are accepted via the university's giving platform. Distribution combines walk-in traffic, online registration through CampDoc, social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), and the 'A New Way to Museum' YouTube series. The museum is led by Director Reese Barrick and Camps Director David Levering, supported by a staff of approximately 14, and is structurally a government-state entity under FHSU rather than an independent operating company.

Name

Sternberg Museum of Natural History

Legal name

Fort Hays State University's Sternberg Museum of Natural History

Website

https://sternberg.fhsu.edu

Company type

Public

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Sternberg Museum of Natural History is a Fort Hays State University natural history museum in Hays, Kansas, serving K-12 students, families, and educators with permanent and traveling exhibits and a multi-tier Science Camps program spanning field paleontology, biology, and research across multiple U.S. states and international destinations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Natural History Museum

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAJADAC

Natural History Museums

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Museums, Galleries & Cultural Institutions

SECONDARYEDAMABAB

Science Camps & Field Programs (Nature, Space, Marine, Geology)

Education/Supplemental & Enrichment Programs (Arts, STEM, Language)/STEM Enrichment & Science Programs

SECONDARYBPAGAHAA

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

Keywords

• Natural history exhibits
• Science education programs
• Paleontology field camps
• Youth STEM education
• Fossil collection research

Headquarters

HQ city

Hays

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, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Museum Admissions: Ticket sales for museum visitors with hours varying by season (winter/summer schedules). Premium pricing for special exhibits.
2. Science Camps Programs: Multi-day residential and day camps for elementary, middle, and high school students. Pricing ranges from $190 for day camps to $6,669 for intensive field programs. Includes meals, accommodations, transportation, and materials.
3. Gift Shop Sales: Physical and online gift shop offering books, apparel, jewelry, fossils, minerals, educational games, science DVDs, and local artwork. Members receive 10% discount.
4. Event Rental: Birthday party packages starting at $50 for 5 participants plus $5 each additional. Facility rentals for classroom and conference rooms. Private event hosting.
5. Traveling Exhibits: Rental of museum-produced exhibits to other institutions. 'A Look Inside' exhibit priced at $6,000 for 3-month rental, requiring ~175-200 linear feet of space.
6. Membership Program: Annual membership program providing benefits including 10% discount at gift shop and free/discounted admissions.
7. Donations: Donations accepted with designation options allowing donors to specify fund preferences.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Sternberg Museum of Natural History operates a public natural history museum on the Great Plains, presenting permanent and rotating exhibits, hands-on science camps for K-12 students, traveling exhibit rentals, a gift shop, and educational programs. The institution emphasizes hands-on paleontology, biology, and geology learning through field-based camps at multiple U.S. sites and through on-site museum experiences, with a research-driven approach anchored in the Fort Hays State University academic ecosystem.

Product overview

The Sternberg Museum of Natural History operates as a unified educational institution offering multiple interconnected products and services. The core offerings include permanent and traveling natural history exhibits emphasizing the Great Plains and evolutionary forces, complemented by the Sternberg Science Camps program—a multi-level educational product spanning Elementary (ages 6-11), Middle School (ages 12-14), and High School (ages 15-18) camps with field paleontology, lab, and blended formats. Supporting services include the Excavations Gift Shop (both physical and online), birthday party packages, guided tours, event rental, and the 'A New Way to Museum' digital video series. The museum also offers a traveling exhibit rental program, enabling other institutions to host Sternberg exhibits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sternberg Science Camps: Educational outdoor science camps program for students ages 6-18, offering hands-on experiences in paleontology, biology, and natural sciences across multiple U.S. locations and international destinations.

Products and services

• Sternberg Science Camps Program Multi-tier residential and day science camps for students ages 6-18 offering hands-on earth and life science education, including paleontology, biology, and geology programs at locations across the U.S. and internationally.
• Elementary School Science Camps (Ages 6-11) On-site day camps at the Sternberg Museum using nature trails and museum exhibits for hands-on science activities, including Junior Museum Explorers and Advanced Museum Explorers programs.
• Middle School Science Camps (Ages 12-14) Overnight camping programs for middle schoolers emphasizing advanced content, behind-the-scenes museum experiences, and outdoor skills in Kansas and Colorado.
• High School Science Camps (Ages 15-18) Field, blended, and lab-based programs for high school students including Field Paleontology, Paleontology Academy, Research Academy, and Fossil Preparation Methods camps at various U.S. locations.
• Museum Exhibits Permanent and rotating exhibitions covering natural history, evolution, and Great Plains ecosystems, including traveling exhibit rental programs for other institutions.
• Excavations Gift Shop
• Birthday Party Packages
• Guided Tours
• Event Rental
• Traveling Exhibits Rental program for museum exhibits including the 'A Look Inside' X-ray/CT imaging exhibit, available to other institutions for 3-month periods at $6,000 per rental.
• A New Way to Museum (YouTube Series) YouTube video series hosted by Sternberg Museum staff exploring the museum and natural world, with new episodes released weekly on Thursdays at 12 PM CT.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% of 2023 enrollment reached within one week of 2024 registration opening
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Hays Convention and Visitors BureauminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing partner for promoting museum visits and tourism to Hays, Kansas. Listed as a quick link on the museum website.
• Fort Hays State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent institution providing academic resources, facilities (dorms, dining hall, biology department labs), and administrative support. Museum is part of FHSU.
• Kansas Wetlands Education CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRelated FHSU educational facility. Listed as a quick link for visitor information.
• Pioneer Trails Regional MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution in Bowman, North Dakota hosting Paleontology Academy North Dakota camps. Students work with PTRM paleontologist Dr. Emily Simpson.
• Eastern Tennessee State University - Gray Fossil SitecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Paleontology Academy Tennessee and Field Paleontology Tennessee camps. Students experience Gray Fossil Site excavations and museum collections.
• South Dakota School of Mines Museum of GeologycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Fossil Prep Methods South Dakota camp. Camp led by museum's Fossil Preparator Sam Wright in the Foster Preparation Lab.
• University of Missouri - ColumbiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for Research Academy Missouri camp featuring CT scanning equipment and computer-based segmentation software.
• North Dakota Geological SurveycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for Field Paleontology North Dakota and Research Academy North Dakota. Dr. Clint Boyd leads fieldwork at Hell Creek sites.
• UC Museum of Paleontology at BerkeleyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for Paleontology Academy California, offering behind-the-scenes tours.
• Monterey Bay AquariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner institution for Paleontology Academy California behind-the-scenes tours.
• Museum at Georgia SouthernminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating institution for Paleontology Academy California led by Marjean Cone.
• Kenshu ShimadaminorOthersAdjunct researcher of Sternberg Museum and co-author of Cretodus houghtonorum shark discovery paper. DePaul University professor.
• Michael J. EverhartminorOthersAdjunct researcher of Sternberg Museum and co-author of shark discovery paper. Author of 'Oceans of Kansas' book.
• Keith and Deborah HoughtonminorOthersLandowners who donated the Cretodus houghtonorum specimen to the Sternberg Museum.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• South Dakota School of Mines Museum of Geology: University-affiliated geology museum operating the Foster Preparation Lab, which hosts Sternberg's Fossil Prep Methods South Dakota camp. Directly comparable in size, scope, and paleontology focus.
• Raymond M. Alf Museum of Paleontology: Small paleontology-focused natural history museum at The Webb Schools with student research and paleontology field programs. Comparable scale, university/school-affiliated model, and emphasis on youth field paleontology education.
• Perot Museum of Nature and Science: Mid-sized natural history and science museum with extensive STEM education programs, traveling exhibits, and summer camp offerings. Comparable in program breadth (camps, exhibits, events) at a slightly larger urban scale.
• Gray Fossil Site and Museum (ETSU): University-affiliated paleontology site and museum that hosts Sternberg's Tennessee field paleontology camps. Comparable in scale and program mix as a partner university natural history operation.
• Museum of the Rockies: University-affiliated (Montana State) natural history museum with a strong paleontology program and youth education offerings, including dinosaur-focused exhibits. Closely comparable in mission, university structure, and program mix to Sternberg.
• KU Biodiversity Institute and Natural History Museum: University of Kansas-operated natural history museum emphasizing Great Plains biodiversity and research collections. Shares university-department structure and natural-history mission with Sternberg.

Broad incumbents

• Houston Museum of Natural Science: Large natural history museum offering extensive youth camps, traveling exhibits, and educational programs. Comparable product breadth in STEM camps and exhibit rentals, but operates at significantly larger scale.
• Denver Museum of Nature & Science: Large natural history and science museum with broad STEM programming, traveling exhibitions, school field trips, and youth camps. Significantly larger scope and geography, but overlapping product categories.
• Field Museum: Major natural history museum with research collections, youth programming, and traveling exhibits. Operates at much larger scale but shares core mission in collections-based public education and field science.

Emerging players

• National Geographic Student Expeditions: Premium teen adventure and field-science travel programs targeting similar high-school audiences. Competes for the same family budget at the higher-priced tier of Sternberg's Science Camps.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCD5FhXAIrnLukvWppr5fcUQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/SternbergCamps
• Instagraminstagram.com/sternbergcamps
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sternbergmuseum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sternberg Museum of Natural History