OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology

What OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology does

OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science & Technology is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit hands-on STEM learning center (EIN#04-3617085) founded in 2011 by Roger and Gloria Jones and located at 15 Central Square in downtown Youngstown, Ohio. The 30,000-square-foot facility houses 20+ interactive "WOW! Zones" spanning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines, plus five specialized labs — InspireWorks Makerspace, Mixed Reality Classroom, 3D Printing and Advanced Manufacturing Microlearning Lab, Microelectronics and Robotics Lab, and Digital Collaboration Lab — with the second-floor labs slated for opening under the Phase 4 Renovation.

The center serves multiple customer segments: families with children K-8 for walk-in admissions and memberships; K-12 schools and educators from Ohio and Pennsylvania for self-guided ($8/student) and guided ($15/student) field trips aligned to OH, PA, and NGSS standards; community organizations via off-site outreach ($300 first session, $200 add-ons); underserved audiences through Museums for All ($2/person for SNAP/EBT) and a 12-library partnership program; and adults via the OH WOW! On Tap fundraiser and private rentals. Birthday parties run $270-$540 and memberships span five annual tiers from $100 to $300 with ASTC Passport reciprocity to 300+ science centers.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of admissions, memberships, field trips, outreach, birthday parties, facility rentals, gift cards/merchandise, corporate sponsorships (Developers' League $10K+, Creators' League $5K+, plus presenting sponsors for Silly Science Sunday), and tax-deductible donations. The organization is governed by a 20-member Board of Directors (2025 Chair: Amber Bodrick) and is operated by an Executive Director and a small staff including Directors of Operations, Business & Finance, Education, and a Creative Director, plus Edutainers and Experience Associates. Cumulative reach exceeds one million children and families, with ~50,000 annual visitors and 220,000 hours of STEM engagement delivered in 2023.

Name

OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology

Legal name

OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science & Technology

Website

https://ohwowkids.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

OH WOW! is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit children's science center in downtown Youngstown, Ohio, operating a 30,000-square-foot facility with 20+ hands-on STEM exhibit zones and specialized labs, serving ~50,000 annual visitors across families, K-12 schools, libraries, and community partners in the Mahoning Valley region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Children's Science Museum / STEM Education Center

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM & Coding Learning Centers (Robotics, Programming, Engineering) (EDANAHAF)

Keywords

• Children's science center
• Hands-on STEM exhibits
• Interactive STEM education
• School field trips
• Science museum membership

Headquarters

HQ city

Youngstown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. General Admission Tickets: OH WOW! charges admission fees for general visitors. Adults and children pay $12 per person, with discounted rates of $11 for seniors (65+), veterans, and teachers. Infants and toddlers (1 and under) are admitted free. Museum for All program offers $2 admission for up to 4 people with eligible SNAP/EBT benefits.
2. Memberships: Annual memberships sold in tiers (Two of Us $100, Two of Us + Guest $145, Family $200, Family + Guest $235, Family+ $300) offering free admission, discounts on merchandise and events, members-only events, and ASTC reciprocal membership to 300+ science centers. Multi-year options available at discounted rates.
3. Birthday Party Packages: Two birthday party packages: Basic Party at $270 (members) / $300 (non-members) and It's All Yours exclusive after-hours party at $486 (members) / $540 (non-members). Additional live hands-on STEM activities available for $100 extra.
4. Facility Rentals: Private facility rentals for events, corporate functions, and celebrations. Exclusive after-hours museum access available as a premium rental option.
5. Outreach Programs: Educational outreach programs brought to schools, afterschool programs, summer camps, daycare centers, and libraries. Priced at $300 for the first session, $200 for additional sessions on the same day. Community outreach for festivals charged per event.
6. Field Trips: Self-guided field trips at $8 per student (minimum 15 students, $120 minimum). Guided field trips at $15 per student (minimum 15 students). Includes content-specific activities, demonstrations, and EDUtaining experiences.
7. Corporate Sponsorships: Multiple sponsorship tiers and opportunities for signature events (Silly Science Sunday, OH WOW! On Tap, Educator Appreciation Night, etc.) and year-round programs (Grandperson Days, Museums For All, Monthly STEM Programming, Free Admission Days).
8. Gift Cards: Digital gift cards sold in denominations of $12, $24, $36, $50, and $100. Redeemable for admission, memberships, and merchandise at the center. Also merchandise (T-shirts at $25) sold through the online storefront.
9. Donations: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN#04-3617085). Multiple giving programs including Inspire Club and Corporate Membership Program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

OH WOW! operates a 30,000-square-foot hands-on STEM learning center in downtown Youngstown featuring 20+ interactive exhibit zones and five specialized labs (Mixed Reality Classroom, 3D Printing, Microelectronics and Robotics, InspireWorks Makerspace, Digital Collaboration Lab). It delivers its experience through general admission tickets, annual memberships with ASTC reciprocity, school field trips, off-site outreach programs, birthday party packages, facility rentals, and signature community events.

Product overview

OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children's Center for Science & Technology is an award-winning children's science center in downtown Youngstown, Ohio. The organization operates a 30,000-square-foot facility with 20+ WOW! Zones of interactive STEM exhibits, serving over 50,000 visitors annually. The core product portfolio includes hands-on STEM exhibits, educational field trips and outreach programs, birthday party packages, and museum memberships with ASTC reciprocity. Additional offerings include gift cards, merchandise (T-shirts), special events (Silly Science Sunday, OH WOW! On Tap), and a library pass partnership program. Admission starts at $12, with membership tiers from $100 to $300. The center opened May 12, 2011 and is planning to open its second floor featuring advanced labs (Mixed Reality Classroom, 3D Printing, Microelectronics, Digital Collaboration Lab) in 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WOW! Zones STEM Exhibits Interactive, hands-on STEM-based exhibits across 20+ WOW! Zones within OH WOW!'s 30,000-square-foot downtown Youngstown facility, including the InspireWorks Makerspace, Mixed Reality Classroom, 3D Printing and Advanced Manufacturing Microlearning Lab, Microelectronics and Robotics Lab, and Digital Collaboration Lab, designed for children and families to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
• School Field Trips Self-guided field trips ($8/student, 15-student minimum) and guided field trips ($15/student, 15-student minimum) for K-12 school groups from Ohio and Pennsylvania, aligned with OH, PA, and NGSS content standards, with maximum capacity of 125 students plus chaperones and a $50 deposit requirement.
• Educational Outreach Programs Off-site STEM programs brought to schools, afterschool programs, summer camps, daycare centers, and libraries, with 45-60 minute sessions for up to 30 learners, priced at $300 for the first session and $200 for additional same-day sessions, aligned with OH, PA, and NGSS standards.
• Birthday Party Packages Two birthday party offerings: Basic Party at $270 members/$300 non-members (2-hour private use of Function Junction, 15 children plus adults, free gift for honoree) and It's All Yours exclusive after-hours party at $486 members/$540 non-members (entire museum access for 2 hours), with optional add-on live hands-on STEM activities for $100.
• Annual Memberships Multi-tiered annual memberships—Two of Us ($100), Two of Us + Guest ($145), Family ($200), Family + Guest ($235), and Family+ ($300)—offering free admission, merchandise and event discounts, members-only events, and ASTC reciprocal admission to 300+ participating science centers worldwide.
• Museum Admission Tickets General admission tickets at $12 per adult/child with discounts for seniors (65+), veterans, and teachers at $11, free admission for infants/toddlers 1 and under, available online via Blackbaud and at the door Wednesday through Sunday.
• Digital Gift Cards Digital gift cards in $12, $24, $36, $50, and $100 denominations redeemable for OH WOW! admissions, memberships, and merchandise, sold online and not valid for online ticket purchases.
• OH WOW! T-shirts Branded OH WOW! T-shirts in sizes Small through 2X-Large, created in collaboration with Youngstown Clothing Company, priced at $25 each and sold through the online Shopify storefront.
• Silly Science Sunday Annual free outdoor STEAM festival held at Wean Park in downtown Youngstown, in its 16th year (2026), featuring 40+ exhibitors, hands-on demonstrations, and expected attendance of 3,000+.
• OH WOW! On Tap Adults-only evening fundraiser featuring wine, beer, and spirit tastings, live entertainment, and exhibit exploration, with 200+ attendees annually and a title sponsorship program.
• Library Pass Program Partnership with 12 Ohio library systems providing 4 free OH WOW! admissions to library cardholders, with some libraries also bundling STEM kits alongside books.
• Private Facility Rentals Private facility rentals for corporate events, celebrations, and exclusive after-hours museum access offered as a premium rental option for organizations and individuals.

Quantifiable outcome

• 650,865+ visitors served since opening in 2011
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Youngstown State University College of STEMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2024YSU College of STEM is a longtime exhibitor at OH WOW!'s annual Silly Science Sunday festival, providing STEM demonstrations and activities for festival-goers. The relationship extends to the ADMETE Program, which is also listed in OH WOW!'s Developers' League community partnerships at $10,000+ level.
• America MakescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2024America Makes serves as an exhibitor at OH WOW!'s annual Silly Science Sunday festival, providing advanced manufacturing and 3D printing demonstrations that complement OH WOW!'s STEM programming and advanced manufacturing labs.
• Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary library partner offering 4 free OH WOW! admissions to library cardholders. Library card may also include STEM kits with books and projects. Listed as one of 12 library systems in OH WOW!'s Library Program, which also includes: Columbiana Library, East Palestine Memorial Public Library, Girard Free Library, Hubbard Public Library, Kinsman Free Public Library, Lakeview Area Public Library, Leetonia Library, Lepper Library, McKinley Memorial Library, Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Warren-Trumbull County Public Library, and Wellsville Carnegie Public Library.
• Youngstown Warren Regional ChambercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopers' League community partner at $10,000+ level for 3 years. Strategic partner connecting OH WOW! to regional business community and economic development initiatives.
• Valley STEM + ME2 AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreators' League community partner at $5,000+ level for 5 years. Exhibits at Silly Science Sunday and participates in OH WOW!'s community partnership program.
• Mahoning County Career and Technical Center (MCCTC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreators' League community partner at $5,000+ level for 5 years. Exhibits at Silly Science Sunday and collaborates on workforce development.
• Youngstown Business IncubatorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKarrington Griffin, Director of Supply Chain Diversity for the Youngstown Business Incubator, serves on OH WOW!'s Board of Directors as Vice Chair, bringing expertise in supplier diversification in Ohio's Silicon Heartland and Voltage Valley.
• JAC Management GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssisted with the relocation of Silly Science Sunday 2024 to Wean Park and Huntington Community Alley by accommodating the venue change when downtown closures prevented the usual Central Square location.
• Area Robotics Teams (First Robotics, Sharon Robotics)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobotics teams exhibit at Silly Science Sunday, providing hands-on robotics demonstrations and activities for festival-goers of all ages.
• WFMJ (Media Sponsor)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMedia sponsor for OH WOW! On Tap 2026 and Silly Science Sunday 2026, providing broadcast and press coverage for OH WOW! events.
• Youngstown Clothing CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner for OH WOW! T-shirt merchandise production, sold at $25 per shirt through OH WOW!'s online storefront.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mid-America Science Center: Small-to-mid-sized regional science center in Oklahoma with comparable hands-on exhibit model, field trip focus, and nonprofit funding structure typical of community STEM centers.
• The Works Museum: Ohio-focused hands-on STEM/maker learning center in Newark, OH offering comparable family and school programming with a smaller, focused exhibit footprint.
• Adventure Science Center: Nashville-based hands-on science center with a comparable exhibit-based model, school group programming, and similar-sized facility, providing a useful peer for operating metrics and pricing benchmarks.
• Carnegie Science Center: Pittsburgh-based interactive science center operated by Carnegie Museums; most directly comparable in terms of hands-on STEM exhibits, family audience, field trip programming, and ASTC passport participation in western PA/northeast Ohio regional orbit.
• Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts: Harrisburg, PA-based science center serving a similar mid-sized regional market with hands-on exhibits, IMAX/digital dome, and STEM programming; comparable in scale and operating model.
• Great Lakes Science Center: Cleveland-based science center with similar STEM exhibit model, school field trip programming, and membership tiers. Comparable scale, mission, and audience across Northeast Ohio.

Broad incumbents

• COSI (Center of Science and Industry): Ohio's flagship science center in Columbus with a much larger footprint and broader portfolio of exhibits, outreach, and camps. Sets the statewide benchmark for STEM field trip and family visitation demand.
• Cincinnati Museum Center: Multi-museum complex in Cincinnati offering comparable family STEM/STEAM experiences and field trip programming, but at significantly larger scale and broader institutional scope.

Others

• America Makes: National advanced manufacturing public-private partnership based in Youngstown; an OH WOW! exhibitor and content partner. Comparable as an ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, but informs the advanced manufacturing/3D printing programming niche.
• Youngstown State University STEM outreach programs: YSU College of STEM is both partner and adjacent provider of STEM outreach/extension in the same market; useful as a benchmark for regional STEM programming demand and as a potential competitive substitute for older learners.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ohwowkids
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCHwWfSJrOkR7SGCQmw7eEiQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/ohwowkids
• Instagraminstagram.com/ohwowsciencecenter
• TikToktiktok.com/@ohwowpals
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ohwowkids

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles30 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 OH WOW!® The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology