Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology

What Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology does

The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1977 and headquartered in the historic NYS Armory Building in Armory Square, downtown Syracuse, New York. The museum operates approximately 35,000 square feet of hands-on, interactive permanent and traveling exhibits covering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, anchored by the state-of-the-art National Grid ExploraDome, a giant-screen domed theatre and Silverman Planetarium offering immersive film and live planetarium shows with surround sound. The MOST serves Central New York (Onondaga, Oswego, Madison, Cayuga, and surrounding counties) with an annual visitation exceeding 100,000 children and adults, including organized K-12 field trips, family visits, traveling Discovery Sessions, day camps, and workforce development programs such as Amazon Workforce Discovery. Curated exhibit domains include Life Sciences with human anatomy exploration (presented by Upstate Medical University), DECONSTRUCTED on semiconductor microchips (presented by Micron Technology), Dino Zone (presented by M&T Bank), GROW on agricultural science (presented by Onondaga Grown), an amateur radio station K2MST capable of contacting the ISS, and an Energy exhibit with National Grid.

The MOST operates a hybrid revenue model that blends consumer transactions, recurring memberships, education service fees, retail, facility rentals, and corporate/foundation philanthropy. Transactional revenue includes tiered admissions ($18 adult, $14 youth/senior), ExploraDome shows at $4-$6, field trips at $5 per student, in-school Discovery Sessions at $200-$250, exhibit workshops at $150, summer camps at $250-$300 per week, birthday parties from $250-$500, and corporate facility rentals. Recurring revenue comes from a six-tier membership program ($69-$179 annually for Individual through Household Premier, plus a $29 Museums for All tier for EBT cardholders), which also grants reciprocal access to 350+ science museums worldwide through the ASTC network. Onsite retail through the Science Shop and donation/sponsorship streams (logo sponsorships, annual appeals, planned giving, and flagship fundraising events Tap into the MOST, Chocolate Discovery, Savoring Science, STEM Under 40 Awards, and the Volvo Raffle) round out the model. The museum is led by President Lauren Kochian (since 2018, the fourth president and second woman to head the museum) and a leadership team including Executive Vice President Kelly Gardner, supported by a Board of Directors. Under Kochian, the museum has executed strategic partnerships with Micron, National Grid, Amazon, M&T Bank, and Upstate Medical University, and launched IMPACT programs targeting historically underrepresented groups in STEM.

The museum distributes its services through direct visitor admissions at the Syracuse facility, traveling Discovery Sessions that bring STEM programming to regional schools, online and in-person membership enrollment, ASTC reciprocal network participation, and a multi-channel marketing presence across its website, Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, email newsletters, community partnerships, and earned media. Product and program launches in 2025 include the reopening of the Dino Zone with expanded interactive features, the new permanent DECONSTRUCTED semiconductor exhibit sponsored by Micron, and the GROW agricultural science exhibit sponsored by Onondaga Grown, signaling an active refresh of the exhibit portfolio tied to corporate partnerships and regional workforce development themes.

Name

Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology

Legal name

Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology

Website

https://most.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) is a Syracuse-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating 35,000 square feet of interactive STEM exhibits and the National Grid ExploraDome, serving over 100,000 K-12 students, families, and community visitors annually across Central New York through admissions, memberships, education programs, and corporate-sponsored exhibits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum / Informal STEM Education

NAICS

Museums (71211), Museums (712110), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), 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

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG), Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)

Keywords

• Science museum exhibits
• STEM education programs
• Interactive learning experiences
• Museum membership programs
• Science field trips

Headquarters

HQ city

Syracuse

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Museum Admissions: Ticket sales for museum admission with tiered pricing for adults, youth, seniors, and free admission for members, veterans, first responders, and NYS teachers.
2. Memberships: Annual subscription memberships at multiple tiers (Individual $69, Dual $89, Household $109, Household Plus $129, Household Premier $179) with free admission, parking, and discounts on programs.
3. Birthday Parties: Premium and standard birthday party packages ranging from $250-$500, including private room rental, STEM Lab activities, and all-day museum admission.
4. Facility Rentals and Event Hosting: Venue rentals for corporate events, fundraisers, cocktail parties, and community gatherings with optional STEM team-building activities.
5. Camps and Educational Programs: Week-long day camps during school breaks and summer at $250-$300 per camper, plus field trip programs at $5 per student.
6. Science Shop Retail: On-site gift shop selling science kits, plush toys, explorer sets, and science snacks with member discounts.
7. National Grid ExploraDome Shows: Giant-screen film and planetarium show tickets at $4-$6 per person.
8. Corporate Sponsorships and Donations: Logo sponsorships, event sponsorships, annual appeals, planned giving, and individual donations supporting exhibits and educational programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The MOST operates a hands-on science and technology museum featuring 35,000 square feet of interactive permanent and traveling exhibits plus the National Grid ExploraDome giant-screen domed theatre. It sells museum admissions, multi-tier memberships, birthday party packages, facility rentals, day camps, field trips, in-school Discovery Sessions, and STEM challenges, and operates IMPACT inclusion programs targeting underrepresented groups in STEM. The museum sustains operations through admissions, memberships, gift shop sales, sponsorships, donations, and annual fundraising events such as Tap into the MOST, Chocolate Discovery, Savoring Science, and the Volvo raffle.

Product overview

The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) is a hands-on science and technology museum offering a unified portfolio of interactive exhibits, educational programs, and community events. The core experience centers on 35,000 square feet of permanent and traveling interactive exhibits (including the National Grid ExploraDome giant-screen theatre, BUILD & PLAY, DECONSTRUCTED, Dino Zone, Life Sciences, Space Gallery, and 11 other exhibit areas) combined with fee-based add-on modules including field trips, birthday parties, camps, STEM challenges, IMPACT programs for underrepresented groups, and special events. The museum operates on a membership-based model with multi-tier options and participates in reciprocal admission networks (ASTC, ACM, NARM, ROAM, ESMRP).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• National Grid ExploraDome State-of-the-art giant-screen domed theatre and Silverman Planetarium offering immersive educational films (such as Animal Kingdom, Mission: Moon, Call of the Dolphins) and live planetarium shows with vibrant colors, surround sound, and a giant screen spanning beyond normal vision. Tickets are sold separately at $4 for members and $6 for non-members.
• Interactive Exhibits 35,000 square feet of hands-on, interactive permanent and traveling exhibits covering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, including Life Sciences (with Careers in Medicine video wall), DECONSTRUCTED (microchips/semiconductors), Dino Zone, GROW (agricultural science), Energy: Powering Our Future, BUILD, Stickley Science Playhouse, Rothschild Apothecary Shop, Telecommunications Lab, Recycling Station, and Space Gallery.
• Field Trips & Classroom Visits Organized group visits for K-12 school groups of 10 or more, including exhibit exploration, Science Playhouse access, the National Grid Science Learning Partnership, optional ExploraDome shows, and exhibit workshops. Traveling in-school Discovery Sessions bring hands-on STEM programming to schools throughout Central New York.
• Birthday Parties Private party packages with STEM Lab activities including Rocket Lab, Slime Lab, Dino Lab, Bubble Lab, and STEM Story Time, plus all-day museum admission. Standard package ($250 members / $300 non-members) is 1.5 hours for up to 25 guests; Premium package ($450 members / $500 non-members) is 4 hours in a 1,100 sq ft party room for up to 25 children and 25 adults.
• Camps Week-long day camps during school breaks and summer including Junior Scientist (ages 4-7), Be the Scientist (ages 8-12), and ESF Summer Science Week for graduating 8th graders exploring sustainability, environmental engineering, and climate change solutions.
• Facility Rentals Venue rental for corporate events, fundraisers, cocktail parties, and community gatherings with optional STEM team-building activities. The 1,100 sq ft party room and other spaces are also offered for non-birthday-party events.
• Amazon Workforce Discovery Year-round workforce development program engaging K-12 students and families throughout Central New York through project-based learning focused on STEM careers, featuring six annual career days with employers and colleges, Q&A sessions with industry experts, student prizes, and STEM career fairs.
• IMPACT Programs Inclusive STEM education programs for historically underrepresented groups including MACNY Future Women in STEM (monthly workshops connecting female professionals with middle school girls), KeyBank Future Innovators, and the award-winning Sensory Friendly Science program for neurodivergent learners.
• STEM Challenges Annual design-build-compete events including the Catapult Challenge, Bridges Challenge, Robotics Challenge, CNY Science & Engineering Fair (co-presented with Lockheed Martin and SRC), and Rocket Team Challenge for regional students.
• Membership Program Multi-tier annual membership with six levels (Individual $69, Dual $89, Household $109, Household Plus $129, Household Premier $179, Museums for All $29 for EBT cardholders), offering free admission, free parking, discounts on programs, Science Shop discounts, and reciprocal access to 350+ science museums through the ASTC, ACM, NARM, ROAM, and ESMRP networks.
• Science Shop On-site retail gift shop selling hands-on science kits, plush toys, explorer sets, science snacks, and gift cards. Members receive a 20% discount at the Household Premier level.
• Sensory Friendly Science Accessible STEM programming for people with neurodivergence, including monthly Sensory Friendly Time sessions with reduced stimuli and a welcoming environment.
• STEM Story Time Daily program for young children featuring STEM-based storybooks and activities, held at 11:30 AM and included with museum admission.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100,000 children and adults visit annually for educational experiences
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Micron TechnologyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner sponsoring the DECONSTRUCTED semiconductor exhibit, presenting the STEM Under 40 Awards, and supporting workforce development initiatives. Provides photos, artifacts, and expertise telling the story of past, present, and future semiconductor chip manufacturing. Partnership supports programming focused on introducing kids to STEM careers, especially underrepresented groups.
• National GridflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheatre naming sponsor of the National Grid ExploraDome and presenter of Energy: Powering Our Future exhibit. Major supporter of science learning initiatives and informal STEM education at the museum.
• Upstate Medical UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Life Sciences exhibit featuring human anatomy, genetics, and medicine education. Medical professionals and researchers contribute content and programming for the Careers in Medicine video wall and Current Issues in Medicine display.
• M&T BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Dino Zone exhibit featuring interactive dinosaur displays, fossil dig site, and prehistoric ecosystems. Also sponsors M&T Bank Climate Kiosks throughout the museum exploring climate change impacts.
• Onondaga GrowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of GROW exhibit on agricultural science and food systems in Central New York. Partnership highlights regional food producers, legislators, innovators, and communities developing sustainable agricultural practices.
• Luck GroveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Telecommunications Lab exhibit telling the story of long-distance communication from telegraphy to satellites and fiber-optics.
• SRC (Systems & Technology Research)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of CNY Science & Engineering Fair and major funding provider for robotics challenge programs supporting student STEM competitions.
• Lockheed MartincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-presenter of CNY Science & Engineering Fair supporting regional science fair and STEM competition programs for students.
• MACNY (Manufacturers Association of Central New York)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner powering Future Women in STEM programming and workforce development initiatives. Collaborates on monthly workshops connecting female professionals with middle school girls for hands-on STEM activities.
• AmazonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresenting sponsor of Workforce Discovery initiative and Robotics Challenge. Supports year-round STEM programming and outreach engaging K-12 students and families through project-based learning and connections to local employers.
• Onondaga County Department of Water Environment ProtectionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing Water Environments Activity kits for grades 3-5 featuring content on water treatment, flood control, and water/weather exploration. Supports educational outreach programming.
• Amanda Russell-BrownminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Sensory Friendly Science program supporting neurodivergent learners with specialized programming and sensory-friendly museum experiences.
• SUNY ESF (College of Environmental Science and Forestry)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost of Summer Science Week for 8th grade graduates exploring sustainability, environmental engineering, and climate change solutions. Provides outdoor fieldwork experience and environmental science education.
• Alan Byer VolvominorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner for Volvo raffle (win a 2026 Volvo XC40) and presenting sponsor of Savoring Science event supporting STEM educational programming and historic Armory preservation.
• Community BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of Sensory Friendly Science program providing sensory-friendly museum experiences for neurodivergent learners.
• Edgewater Federal SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of Sensory Friendly Science program supporting inclusive STEM education.
• StickleyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Stickley Science Playhouse, a five-level indoor playground with obstacles, tubes, bridges, and toddler area.
• Kinney Drugs FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Rothschild Apothecary Shop exhibit featuring authentic recreation of c.1900 pharmacy.
• AmeriCU Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of BUILD exhibit featuring large foam building blocks for creative construction play.
• NovelisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner at Energy exhibit Recycling Station educating visitors about aluminum recycling and circular economy. Operates world's largest aluminum recycler in Oswego, NY.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ithaca Sciencenter: Hands-on science center in Central New York with similar exhibit-based, family-focused STEM programming and an ASTC reciprocal membership footprint.
• Science Center of Iowa: Mid-sized nonprofit science center delivering interactive exhibits, dome theatre programming, and K-12 field trip offerings analogous to MOST's portfolio.
• Most (Museum of Science and Technology) — comparable mid-sized US science centers: The MOST is the subject; included for reference as the comparable mid-sized science center benchmark.
• Rochester Museum & Science Center: Regional science museum in Upstate New York offering interactive exhibits, planetarium shows, and STEM programs directly comparable to MOST's offerings and geographic segment.

Others

• Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC): Industry association of 350+ science centers providing reciprocal membership, professional development, and benchmarking standards that frame MOST's operating context.

Broad incumbents

• Franklin Institute: Major Philadelphia science museum with permanent and traveling exhibits, dome theater, and large-scale educational programming serving as a scaled benchmark for MOST's exhibit model.
• Museum of Science, Boston: Large flagship science museum with planetarium, exhibit halls, and STEM programming providing a top-end benchmark for content, sponsorship, and membership scale.
• Carnegie Science Center: Larger affiliated science center with a high-end dome theater, exhibit halls, and STEM education programs serving a broader regional audience than MOST.

Regional players

• Corning Museum of Glass: Upstate New York cultural institution cited in MOST's ASTC reciprocal network; complementary STEM-adjacent programming with a different (materials/manufacturing) focus.
• Buffalo Museum of Science: Western New York science museum offering exhibits, educational programming, and dome theater shows comparable in scope and model to MOST.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mostsyracuse
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SyracuseMOST
• Facebookfacebook.com/MOSTSyracuse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mostsyracuse
• Instagraminstagram.com/MOSTSyracuse

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 Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology