Every day at the Science Center, people of all ages experience the joy of science and the thrill of discovery.
Thanks to friends like you, 2025 was a strong year of impact, growth, and wonder for the Science Center. As we reflect on all we accomplished together, I’m pleased to share our 2025 Annual Report, Moments of Wonder for Everyone. The highlights inside reflect what is possible when dedicated supporters invest their time, talent, and resources so that every learner in our community can walk through the doors of their Science Center and feel the spark that science creates.
Over the past year, more than 686,000 people engaged with us through on-site galleries, programs, events, and community outreach. We once again received national recognition from USA Today and Newsweek, reinforcing that the Science Center stands among the best in the country. Our membership base grew by 4 percent, and our inaugural WONDER: A Quantum Blast fundraiser brought energy and excitement to our community, raising more than $366,000 to support our work.
The Science Center is a place where curiosity comes alive and where anyone, at any age, can discover that science is all around us, every day. As we pursue our mission to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science, we are guided by our core values. We are collaborative, lifelong learners, and community focused. We are inclusive and welcoming to all, forward thinking, and we place a strong value on playfulness and curiosity. You will see these values in action throughout this report.
Looking ahead, we are excited about what is possible and grateful to have you with us. St. Louis is a science city, and your support helps ensure that science belongs to everyone. Your engagement, philanthropy, and advocacy give us the confidence to think boldly and the resources to move that vision forward.
On behalf of all of us at the Science Center, thank you for helping us share the wonder of science with everyone, year after year.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ray Vandiver President & CEO
Dr. Mark S. Wrighton Chairman
By the Numbers
At the Saint Louis Science Center, we believe that every person deserves the chance to experience the wonder of science and the thrill of discovery.
As one of the few free-to-enter nonprofit science museums in the United States, we invite learners of all ages and backgrounds to enter our doors and feel the spark that science creates. In 2025, we welcomed more than 686,000 people to go hands-on with science, experience innovation up close, and see that STEM has the power to inspire, connect, and transform—all through our mission to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science
674,288 PEOPLE AT THE SCIENCE CENTER
12,668 PEOPLE SERVED THROUGH OFF-SITE PROGRAMMING
Where Do Our Guests Live?
TO INSPIRE EVERYONE TO BE CURIOUS AND ENGAGED IN SCIENCE.
47,000+ PEOPLE SERVED THROUGH SCHOOL GROUP VISITS
Group Types (General Public Visitors)
Of the general public groups visiting the Science Center with children in 2025 (not counting school groups), the majority (73%) were 25–44 years old. Those visiting without children tended to be primarily older or younger than that range, with 40% being 18–34 and 35% being 55 and older. This is slightly different than recent years, where the majority of people in adult-only groups were age 34 or younger; however, 2025’s POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION (page 13) attracted a wide range of guests coming in adult-only groups.
From the People We Serve
What our guests said about their Science Center.
“ The Saint Louis Science Center is a tremendous asset to the city. The attractions are great for adults and children alike. Educational and entertaining. ”
“ [The Science Center does] a lot for education in general, and having free things to do in a city (especially free educational things) is really important for low-income families. I grew up visiting and loved it, and now that I am in grad school I recommend visiting to all of my classmates that aren’t originally from the area. ”
“ Science is awesome; we need to keep studying and learning about it. It’s an amazing gift that the Saint Louis Science Center is free, and a great gift to the community and all who visit. ”
“ We love having [the Science Center] as a free resource so close to home, with so many wonderful ways to explore and learn about different things in the world! Thank you for continuing to provide our area with such a safe and inviting space to learn about the world around us! ”
How Do Guests Engage with the Science Center?
Guests at the Science Center spent more than 132,500 hours engaging in gallery-based, team member-facilitated STEM activities through more than 237,000 interactions with Science Center educators.
1,280+ STAR SHOWS IN THE MCDONNELL PLANETARIUM
940+ DISCOVERY ROOM SESSIONS
OVERALL EXPERIENCE RATING:
1,550+ FILM SCREENINGS IN THE OMNIMAX® THEATER
What Do Guests Think of Their Science Center Experience?
94% of exit survey respondents rated their experience as ‘Excellent’ or ‘Outstanding.’
Awareness and Perceptions Study
Since 2016, the Science Center has conduced an annual Awareness and Perceptions study, which seeks to understand how the local community thinks about the Science Center. This online survey is posed to respondents across the St. Louis Metro area, most of whom received it through a third party and were not necessarily on the Science Center’s contact list. A total of 588 people completed the 2025 Awareness and Perceptions study.
The two graphs below illustrate the Science Center as not just a top-of-mind cultural attraction for the St. Louis Metro area, but also one that ranks highly among the places people have actually visited.
Top of Mind Awareness
To determine Top of Mind Awareness, respondents were asked to list “5 St. Louis Attractions” without a pre-set list of options or knowing that the survey came from the Science Center. These open-ended responses were then hand-coded into 73 different categories and showed the Science Center as the third most top-of-mind cultural attraction in St. Louis.
24,173,456
SOCIAL MEDIA IMPRESSIONS
The Science Center’s social media and YouTube feeds saw 24,173,456 impressions, an increase of more than 31% from the previous year.
220,535 Followers
ACROSS PLATFORMS Increase of more than 32%
626,248 Engagements ON SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS Increase of nearly 10%
The Science Center’s website, slsc.org, drew more than 7.6 million page views from more than 1 million active users
Heard Of vs. Visited
Choosing from a pre-set list of options, survey respondents selected which institutions they had heard of, as well as which ones they had been to. Of those cultural attractions respondents had heard of, the Science Center ranked in the top three but ranked second highest for the attraction respondents had actually visited
OUR NIGHT SKY UPDATE BLOG POSTS RECEIVED:
117,000+ page views
46,000+ active users
OUR FIELD TRIP PACKAGES WEBPAGE RECEIVED:
6,000+ page views
1,500+ active users
Curious to Learn More?
Dive into the Science Center’s impact, the audiences we serve, and more. Visit slsc.org/reports to find our Strategic Plan, Annual Reports, Opening Minds to Science reports, and Financial information.
Highlights
We were honored to once again finish at the top of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, ranking in the Top Five in three categories: #1 for Best Planetarium, #2 for Best Free Museum, and #5 for Best Science Museum
In addition, Newsweek recognized the Science Center as the #1 Best Free Museum in the nation as part of their Readers’ Choice Awards.
Welcoming Dr. Ray Vandiver as President and CEO
Dr. Ray Vandiver joined the Saint Louis Science Center as President and CEO in February 2025, bringing more than three decades of experience leading science centers and museums to guide the organization as it executes its strategic plan for the future.
Coming from the Discovery Lab in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he served as the founding Executive Director for more than 12 years, Vandiver returned to his roots as a St. Louisan, recalling his own visits to the James S. McDonnell Planetarium as a young person as pivotal experiences that inspired him to pursue his M.S. and Ph.D. in physics and his career in informal science education.
A QUANTUM BLAST!
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS, DONORS, AND GUESTS, WONDER RAISED
More than $366,000 TO FURTHER OUR WORK AND IMPACT
WONDER: A Quantum Blast!
In October, our WONDER: A Quantum Blast fundraiser brought together supporters for an evening celebrating the spirit of science, culminating in a chain reaction amplifying every act of generosity. Emceed by KMOV First Alert 4’s Cory Stark, the event brought STEM to life with hands-on activities exploring laser oscilloscopes, ultraviolet bubbles, and soundwaves.
Chemistry and physics stood front and center with a one-night-only Amazing Science Demonstration from “Molecular” Mark Wrighton, Chair of the Science Center’s Board of Commissioners, and Dr. Becky Thompson, the Science Center’s Chief Science and Education Officer.
Guests shared a mission moment with a video highlighting essential truths: that St. Louis is a science city; that science drives innovation, discovery, and community; and that the Saint Louis Science Center belongs to everyone. Scan to watch the WONDER video.
Special Thanks to Our WONDER Committee
Chairs
Laura and Mark Sawyier
Honorary Chairs
Anne and John McDonnell
Risa Zwerling Wrighton and Mark Wrighton
WONDER 2025 Committee
Barry Cervantes
Denise DeCou
Martin and Margaret Israel
Kate Dugan and Daniel Kolta
Christine Jacobs and Hank Webber
Margot and Edward Monser
Kathy and Jim Sherby
Sarah Smith and Dick Fleming
Kevin Staed
Tracie Wolfmeyer
Thank You to Our WONDER Sponsors
Cosmic Explorer – Major Sponsor
Emerson
Galaxy Voyager
Margot and Edward Monser
Eric and Evelyn Newman Foundation Sponsors of the “Molecular Mark” Science Show
Innovation Sponsors
Ameren
Boeing
Christine Jacobs and Hank Webber
Lewis Rice
Anne and John McDonnell
Sharon and Glen Stettin
Risa Zwerling Wrighton and Mark Wrighton
Discovery Sponsors
Academy of Science St. Louis Cannonball
Case IH
Enterprise Mobility
First Alert 4
David Kocs
Lockton
ONCE Films
PGAV Destinations
RGA
Laura and Mark Sawyier
Additional Support Provided by Heartland Coca-Cola
We Are Collaborative
The Science Center is more than a museum—we’re a hub connecting our region with the science and innovation happening every day in St. Louis. Our core value of being collaborative is central to how we highlight St. Louis’ role as a science city. From bringing guests face-to-face with local scientists and STEM professionals to partnering with organizations for up-close looks at next-generation research and technology, our museum served as a vital bridge between our community and the STEM that thrives throughout the region.
SCIFEST EVENTS
SPARKED CURIOSITY IN 15,190+
SciFest
With four free, all-day SciFest events, we shined a spotlight on a wide spectrum of STEM topics.
Engineering Expo (made possible by The Boeing Company) connected guests with the creative problem solving of engineering with more than 370 on-site STEM experts and professionals
The Great Outdoors Expo (made possible by BJC HealthCare) dug into wildlife, biology, and meteorology with more than 200 on-site STEM experts
Play & Creativity Expo (made possible by BJC HealthCare and Spry Digital) brought together nearly 60 local organizations to show the powerful connections between play, inventiveness, and 21st-century learning skills.
Sci-FEAST (made possible by Presenting Sponsor BJC HealthCare and Supporting Sponsors Nestlé Purina PetCare and St. Luke’s) welcomed guests to explore the science of food and nutrition alongside more than 170 STEM experts
EV Experience
Returning for its second year, the EV Experience (made possible by Ameren Missouri and St. Louis Area BMW Centers) put guests up close with the next-generation technology of electric vehicles (EVs). Over two days, attendees could take a detailed look at vehicles in Boeing Hall; hear presentations about EVs, charging technology, and more; and even get behind the wheel of several models to get a feel for these cutting-edge automobiles.
OVER TWO DAYS, THE EV EXPERIENCE SERVED 9,350+ People
In May, we marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter with the launch of the Corporate Partner Membership Program, offering participating corporate partners exclusive benefits like discounted Science Center memberships, unique volunteer opportunities, and special event access—all while strengthening our collective impact on STEM education in our community.
In collaboration with St. Louis Public Radio, we held a live storytelling session of Story Collider in the OMNIMAX® Theater featuring the fascinating stories of four St. Louisans and how STEM has intersected with their lives.
At September’s Music at the Intersection, the Science Center supported the event’s free stage at Strauss Park, engaging festival attendees with hands-on activities. Using an analog oscilloscope, guests were able to see sounds through a moving laser light which reacted to sound waves.
Lifelong Learners We Are
At the Science Center, we believe that curiosity is timeless and wonder never has an age limit. As one of our core values, lifelong learning was a core tenet of 2025, with new experiences that invited people of all ages to develop deeper connections with innovation and the joys of science.
2,200+ Adults SERVED AT SCIENCE CENTER UP LATE EVENTS
Science Center Up Late
Our new Science Center Up Late series for adults saw a sold-out debut with the summer’s Experience Sound event. Attendees met with more than 15 St. Louisarea partners for unique audio activities like experiencing high-tech home stereo equipment, dancing to a “quantum disco,” playing “beep ball” designed for sports players with visual impairments, and participating in a unique 3D-audio program inside the OMNIMAX® Theater.
The fall’s Spooky Science event invited grown-ups to dive into the spine-tingling intersection of science and fear. Attendees explored how animals like bats use echolocation, played a life-size game of Operation, faced their fear of heights in a VR experience, and more.
Over the summer, POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION immersed guests in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, sharing the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the city’s uncovering centuries later. With more than 150 authentic artifacts on display; a 4D Eruption Experience demonstrating the city’s destruction; and on August 24, an Eruption Day anniversary event highlighting the ecology, entertainment, and engineering of ancient Pompeii, we transported guests back to 79 A.D. to explore the city’s rich culture, the science of its destruction and preservation, and its remarkable rediscovery.
67,040+ People ATTENDED POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION
SUMMER STEM EXPLORERS CAMP WELCOMED
275 Campers
In August, we hosted members of the Science Center’s Curie Society (which recognizes supporters who help us inspire future generations through planned giving) for a lunch with Science Center President and CEO Ray Vandiver, followed by a guided tour of POMPEII: THE EXHIBITION led by members of the Special Exhibitions team.
AFTER 28 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING HERE, I AM CONVINCED THAT THE SCIENCE CENTER’S EMPHASIS ON STEM EDUCATION IS WORTH CONTINUED SUPPORT.
– Curie Society Member
Summer STEM Explorers Camp
Designed for young learners ages 5 to 9, our Summer STEM Explorers Camp returned with enthusiastic demand, selling out quickly and bringing science and technology to life through topics like paleontology, engineering, neuroscience, and more—all while fostering a growth mindset and a love of learning.
We Are
Community Focused
The Saint Louis Science Center belongs to all of us, and this is reflected in our core value of being community focused. From collaborations with nearby Forest Park organizations like the Saint Louis Art Museum, the Muny, and Forest Park Forever; to partnerships with St. Louis institutions like Saint Louis County Libraries and the Sheldon Concert Hall; to activations at community events like Weather Day at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up, and the World Wide Technology Raceway, we brought science to life, demonstrating that STEM happens all around us, every day.
We celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Science of Learning Instrument Design (SOLID) Project, a unique collaboration between the Science Center and the Sheldon Concert Hall in which children learn about the science of sound and then design and build their own musical instruments. Since the collaboration began, more than 28,000 students have participated in the SOLID Project.
As part of STEM STL’s Project Lead the Way Showcase featuring high school engineering and biomedical science capstone projects, we awarded five local students with the Science Center’s Science Communicator Award. The award recognizes projects that demonstrate the ability to clearly explain complex concepts, engage diverse audiences, and reinforce core elements of the Science Center’s mission and strategic plan.
Youth Exploring Science
The Youth Exploring Science (YES) program continued inspiring the next generation of STEM-skilled workers and community leaders. Working with local teens from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds in STEM throughout their high school years to develop real-world skills through hands-on science projects, exposure to STEM careers and professionals, and college and career readiness training, YES saw 11 teens graduate the four-year program.
Inside the McDonnell Planetarium, the YES Networking Extravaganza brought teens in the program together with more than 55 STEM professionals to practice key communication and networking skills and gain exposure to STEM careers.
Looking Forward
Led by the first-year YES teens, Summertime Science engaged more than 650 elementary school students and more than 90 adult supervisors with hands-on STEM experiences combining the program’s Engineering and Integrative Medicine and Well-Being focus areas.
The STEMtastic Camp (made possible by the Boeing Company) returned to the Riverview Gardens School District. Inspiring imaginations about aerospace and astronomy, the YES teen-facilitated activities included building and iterating on glider and parachute designs, block coding and operating remote-controlled Sphero robots, using simple chemical reactions to launch small rockets, and more.
Bringing STEM to the more than 1,330 people through Pop-Up Science events, YES visited locations like City Museum, the Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Public Library, and more, connecting people of all ages with hands-on coding and aerospace activities.
The close of 2025 marked a meaningful turning point for the YES program. After a thoughtful period of stakeholder feedback and community listening, the decision was made to pause and redesign the program with intention, centering its purpose, strengthening its alignment with community needs, and building toward long-term quality and sustainability. Grounded in shared understanding and guided by the voices of those it serves, the redesigned YES program is anticipated to begin recruitment in early 2027, with student participation launching later that year.
Thank you to the following sponsors for their generous support of the YES program: The Boeing Company
Burns & McDonnell Cardinals Care Mastercard
Nestlé Purina
Toyota
We Are
Inclusive and Welcoming to All
Guided by a core value of being inclusive and welcoming to all, the Science Center is here to ensure all people can engage their curiosity, find inspiration in local science and innovation, and be empowered to see that everyone has a place in STEM.
COMMUNITY STEM SHOWCASE WELCOMED
4,400+ People
At the free, all-day Community STEM Showcase in January, guests met and learned from STEM professionals from diverse backgrounds as they displayed cutting-edge research, exciting inventions, and career accomplishments.
In September, we held Deaf Day (made possible by our event sponsor, the Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, as well as our partners, ASL Aspire and the Willow Tree Project) at the Science Center. Featuring ASL-interpreted films in the OMNIMAX® Theater and star shows in the McDonnell Planetarium, as well as live science demonstrations and special presentations, the free day broke down communication barriers, allowing the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to engage with STEM on their own terms.
The McDonnell Planetarium added new hearing assistance devices in the fall for star show audience members who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. These enhancements marked the first step in more accessibility options planned for the Planetarium in the coming year.
To help make the Science Center more accommodating to those with special sensory needs, Sensory Friendly Science Time on Sundays saw modifications made to the standard guest experience. From reducing noises in gallery spaces and during programs to adjusting lighting levels, we showed that all are invited to experience the wonders of STEM and the joys of discovering.
Through the Science Center blog, social media, and more, we highlighted the diversity of impactful STEM figures throughout history in our STEM Like Me series. Through heritage months for Black, Women’s, and Deaf History; LGBT+ and Disability Pride; and Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage months, we helped share the stories and accomplishments of trailblazing individuals throughout history.
OUR STEM LIKE ME BLOG POSTS AT SLSC.ORG/STEM-LIKE-ME RECEIVED nearly 6,000 page views
We Are
Forward Thinking
The Science Center is a place where curiosity comes alive, where the seeds of innovation are planted and nurtured, where abstract ideas turn into aha! moments, and where anyone can discover that science isn’t confined to laboratories but lives around us every day. Through our core value of being forward thinking, we serve as a leader in the St. Louis STEM community, connecting the people of our region with the latest in science and technology.
Loeb Prize Celebrates 30th Anniversary
Each year, the Carol B. and Jerome T. Loeb Prize for Excellence in Teaching Science and Mathematics honors educators who significantly enhance their students’ performance in science and math. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Loeb Prize, we were proud to recognize Amy Schwendemann of Pattonville High School as 2025’s first-place winner.
THE SCIENCE CENTER IS ABOUT CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH THE MATH AND SCIENCE THAT SHAPE OUR WORLD, AND TEACHERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THAT MISSION. THAT’S WHAT THE LOEB PRIZE IS ALL ABOUT, AND IT SPEAKS VOLUMES ON THE LOEB FAMILY’S GENEROSITY AND CAROL’S EXPERIENCE AS A TEACHER. SHE POURS HER HEART AND TIME INTO THE PRIZE, YEAR AFTER YEAR. IT’S AN HONOR TO CELEBRATE CAROL’S VISION AND THE TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES THAT STILL LIE AHEAD.
– Ray Vandiver, Science Center President and CEO
In September, we commemorated three decades of partnership with the Loeb family and looked ahead to the future with Teaching Tomorrow: Innovations in STEM Education. Held in the McDonnell Planetarium’s Bill and Laura Orthwein StarBay, the free event celebrated the vision and hands-on dedication of Carol B. and the late Jerry Loeb before launching into a panel discussion on the landscape of transformation in math and science education.
April’s Mapping the Universe – A Virtual Facility Tour virtual presentation saw more than 140 people gather in the OMNIMAX® Theater to hear from Dr. Jeremy Perkins, a NASA scientist working on the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. Dr. Perkins guided guests through a detailed look at the telescope and a tour of the Goddard Space Flight Center build site, then fielded questions from the audience following the presentation.
SCIENCE
on the M O V E
THE EINSTEIN SOCIETY TOUR OF STEREOTAXIS WAS TERRIFIC, INFORMATIVE, COMPELLING, AND ALL THE THINGS THE SCIENCE CENTER REPRESENTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
– Einstein Society Member
Celebrating 100 Years of Quantum Mechanics (the science of matter and energy at the atomic and subatomic levels) in June, we held a panel discussion moderated by Science Center Chief of Science and Education Dr. Becky Thompson and featuring Washington University’s Dr. Matthew Lew, Mastercard’s Dr. Rahul Deshpande, and Science Center President and CEO Dr. Ray Vandiver on the theoretical, educational, and practical sides of this trailblazing field of science.
In July, we hosted Dr. Klaus von Klitzing, Nobel Prize Laureate in physics, for a public lecture titled Celebrating Quantum: From My Nobel Prize to Your Future. Dr. von Klitzing shared about his groundbreaking discoveries and explained how the study of matter at the quantum scale has impacted materials science, computer science, and more.
Bringing Einstein Society members closer to both our mission and the cutting-edge science happening every day in St. Louis, we delivered memorable experiences for these impactful and dedicated supporters, from special receptions and opportunities to connect with Science Center President and CEO Ray Vandiver to a new Science on the Move series taking Einstein Society members behind the scenes at local innovators like Stereotaxis and Saint Louis University’s CHROME Lab.
We Are
Playful and Curious
At the Science Center, we believe that exploring science should be joyful, and our core value of being playful and curious helps ensure that every experience is approachable, fun, and filled with wonder. From themed days and special events elevating science in St. Louis to new galleries uncovering the art and whimsy of STEM, we showed that science and fun share an unbreakable bond.
10,084 MEMBER HOUSEHOLDS
4% Increase FROM 2024
Science Center Membership and Events
Science Center members, from families to individuals, made connections with STEM in numerous ways. From everyday visits engaging with our galleries and programs to member-exclusive events like OMNIMAX® Theater film previews, Member Lounges, and Member Missions, these supporters truly embodied the playfulness and curiosity that’s central to our work.
BEING IMMERSED IN THE SCIENCE CENTER REINFORCES THE IDEA THAT EDUCATION EXTENDS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM. SCIENCE ISN’T SIMPLY A SUBJECT YOU MIGHT TAKE IN SCHOOL; IT’S THE IDEA OF CURIOSITY AND UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD.
– Science Center Member
18
MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE EVENTS IN 2025
In June, Member Mission: Pollinators brought members to the GROW Gallery to explore the impact of pollinators and which ones can be found nearby.
September’s Member Mission: Cherokee Cave invited members to dive into the science and history of the cave systems hiding beneath our city’s streets and neighborhoods.
March 14’s Pi Day at the Science Center offered a free, fun-filled day dedicated to this important mathematical constant. With interactive math games, Pi-themed crafts, snacks, and more, guests could add a chain link and numerical digit to a Pi Paper Chain, use pi to calculate the number of cheese balls inside a cylindrical container, and even measure the better value between a 9” pizza pie or two 6” pizzas.
In October, the Science Center served as the world premiere location for SK Films’ Secrets of Great Salt Lake, which debuted at our Member Preview in the OMNIMAX® Theater with special guests Tyler Mifflin, the film’s director, and Dr. Bonnie Baxter, the biologist featured in the film. Shortly after, Mr. Mifflin and Dr. Baxter participated in our Educator Preview event, which hosted a screening of the film for local educators followed by a Q&A with these special guests.
In the McDonnell Planetarium lobby, we opened Landsat: eARTh Resources Seen from Space, a free display sharing high-resolution satellite images of Earth’s geographic features to highlight the mesmerizing beauty of the natural world.
Installed at the north end of the highway-spanning SkyBridge in the summer, Seeing Is Believing invited guests to investigate the differences between perception and reality and uncover how the human brain is constantly interpreting sensory information (sometimes incorrectly).
At a special Science Storytime at Energy Stage in December, author Ashley Key joined us to read her new book, Dash and the Lights in the Sky, before leading guests through a science demonstration and hands-on learning activities inspired by the story.
2025 Financials
Statement of Net Position
Assets
Current Assets
and
Receivable (Net)
Receivable from the Zoological
$3,603,400
$4,500,00
$553,846
$3,436,112
$8,489,958
$12,093,358
Land and Land Improvements $15,217,916
$922,928
(Pension)
$62,794,924
Statement of Revenues, Expenses, and Changes in Net Position
Operating Revenues
Guest Activities
$4,894,923 Education Programs
$212,999 Membership
$515,446
$1,218,764 Other
Total Operating Revenues $6,842,133
Operating Expenses
Program Services
($7,950,247)
Supporting Services ($14,012,379)
Total Operating Expenses ($21,962,626)
Total Operating Loss ($15,120,493)
Nonoperating Revenues (Expenses)
Property Taxes and License Fees from the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District
Contributions and Grants
Other Nonoperating
$13,932,738
$1,578,672
$753,185
Total Nonoperating Revenues (Expenses) $16,264,595
Total Nonoperating $16,264,595
Capital Contributions, Grants and Endowment
Capital Contributions and Grants and Endowment $1,935,160
Total Capital Contributions and Grants $1,935,160
Total Capital $1,935,160 Change in Net Position $3,079,262 Net Position (Beginning of Year) $59,715,662
Restatement Due to Adoption of New Accounting Standard $Net Position (End of Year) $62,794,924 The auditor’s report and accompanying notes to the financial statements are not included in this report. A complete set of the financial statements is available at slsc.org/reports
Donor Honor Roll
Science Center members, donors, and corporate and foundation partners empower our museum and fuel our mission to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science. Thank you to the following individuals and organizations for providing the resources to bring STEM learning to life every day at the Science Center.
Saint Louis Science Center
EINSTEIN SOCIETY
Einstein Society
President’s Council
$10,000 AND UP
Mary Jane and Michael Baughman
Carol B. Loeb∞
Jennifer and Jeffrey McDonnell
Margo and Edward Monser
Barbara and Andrew Taylor∞
Einstein Society Fellows
$5,000 TO $9,999
Crystal and John Beuerlein
Sandra Blasingame
Emily and Colin Frost
Dorothy and Melvyn Lefkowitz
Anne and John McDonnell∞
Chrissy Taylor and Lee Broughton
Laurie and Raymond Van De Riet
Risa Zwerling Wrighton and Mark Wrighton
Einstein Society Patrons
$2,500 TO $4,999
Rosemary and Robert Emnett
Amy and Pat Galvin
Carol Garr∞
Barbara and David Gifford∞
Beverly Estes Guyton
Elizabeth and Tim Hampton∞
Barbara and Michael Hurst
Christine Jacobs and Hank Webber
Constance and Eugene King
Katherine Kreusser
Mary and Bob Krieger
Cynthia and Raymond Peters∞
Richard Robb∞
Nancy and Eric Seiler
Sarah Smith and Dick Fleming
Paula and Dana Stephens
Dianne and Grenville Sutcliffe∞
Sarah Trulaske
Ellen Uhlemeyer
Donna and Craig Unruh
Ruth and Breck Washam
Linda and Peter Werner
Einstein Society Members
$1,000 TO $2,499
Mary Jo Abrahamson
Karen and Kelvin Adams
Anica and Aaron Addison
Nicole and Abiodun Adewale
Carol Robert Armstrong
Toni Armstrong and Richard Spener
Martha and David Aronson∞
Robert Ashton
Ramon Bahl
Robin and Simon Bailey
Annika and Joe Bartek
Barbara Bauwens
Robbie and Ted Beaty
Rick Beaver
Alice and Patrick Behan
Kim Beisman and Alan Silverberg
Barbara and Barry Beracha
Marion Black
David Blasingame
Karen Branding and Rick Hummell
Camilla and Stephen Brauer
Josephine and Douglas Brockhaus
Deborah and Samuel Bross
Sherri and David Brown
Nancy L. Buth∞*
Barry Cervantes
Yi-Hung Chen and Kuo-En Chen
Marcy and Richard Cornfeld
Marianne and Martin Doerr
Hazel and Arnold Donald
Ellen and Henry Dubinsky∞
Kathryn and Richard Dyer
Ida and Gerald Early
Ann and Anton Eisel
Cheryl and Steven Ensor
Steve Feiner∞
Suzanne and Dennis Fetter
Linda and Steven Finerty∞
Logan Finerty
Callie and Devin Fraley
Virginia and Christopher Gaebe
Nancy and Walter Galvin
David Ganz
Nancee and Andy Glaser
Joan and Joseph Gleich
Edward Goedeker
Kathryn and George Gokel
Jenna and Matthew Gorlewicz
Kim and Joseph Gorman
Marcella and Michael Grayson
Paula and Michael Gross
Kevin Gunn
Tracy Hart and Tom Hassel
Kelly and Nick Hastings
Virginia Heagney and James Tobin
Margaret and Michael Heinz
Judith Ho and Richard Schulz∞
Maribeth and Ronald Hollon
Janet Holloway
Lotsie and Rick Holton
Ashley Hudson and Brian McKenzie
Kathleen Hull and Tim Eberhardt
Margie and Edward Imo∞
Joanne and Joel Iskiwitch∞
Margaret and Martin Israel∞
Bettie Johnson
Cheri and Wayne Jones
Constance and Eugene Kahn
Beth and Tim Kastner
Charlotte and William Kennedy
Katherine and Robert Kilo
Judy and James Kiske
Carol and Ward Klein
Fran and Roger Koch
David Kocs
Carol Kohfeld
Jackie and James Kreutz
Patricia Krosch
Hannah and Lawrence Langsam
Judith Levy∞
Mark Lo
Lauren and Zackary Lokey
Barbara Luedde and Carl Pruess
Susan and Dan Luedke∞
Ryan Maher
Joan and Michael Malloy
Nancy Matis
Elizabeth and James McDonnell∞
Nancy Meyer and Richard Kutta
Renee and Bruce Michelson∞
Julie and Dan Miller
Linnie Morgan
Loretta and Mike Muretich
Ellen Nahlik and Thad Simons
Bonnie and Bill New
Elizabeth and Charles Niedringhaus
Jeannette and Alan Nissenbaum
R. E. Nystrom
The O’Connell and Tapia Families∞
Charles Oertli*∞
Judy and Paul Putzel
Mirella Ravarino
Amy and Charles Roberts
Eloise Ross
Nancy and Donald Ross∞
Emily and Cory Rylan
Bobby Sanderson and David Weiss
Laura and Mark Sawyier
Sheila and Robert Schuette
Susie and Robert Schulte
Anna and Mark Sears
Mary Louise and Frank Serdy
Berkley Shands
Peter and Julie Sharamitaro
(Einstein Society Members Continued)
Kathleen and James Sherby
Judy Sindecuse
Pamela and Steven Solomon
Maura and James Speiser
Lecie and Richard Steinbaum
Barbie Steps
Barbara* and Warren Stiska
Drs. Karen and Jeffrey Stokes
Mary Strauss
Susie and Jeffrey Stuerman
Donald Suntrup
Linda and David Swain
James Tabor
Ada Taylor and Debra Jones
Timothy Tegeler*∞
Steven Teitelbaum
Rebecca Thompson and Philip Hammer
Donna and Ray Vandiver
Melinda and Curtis Voelkel
Maryann and Michael Vognild
Lida and Kenneth Wagner
Ellen and John Wallace
Dan Weber
Karen and Richard Weber
Phyllis Weber
Robin Weinberg and Scott Anderson∞
Kay and David Werner
Marcia Whitson
Kimberly Williams
Carolynn and Stephen Wolff
Denise Wool
* deceased
∞ charter member
Newton Members
Sandra Ahlum and Lent Johnson
Becky and Michael Asbury
Donna and David Baringer
Gerald Brennan
Sue and Mark Bronson
Kala Dycus and Joshua Wade
Barbara and Bryan Garcia
Claudia Herndon and Donald Blum∞
Barbara Horn and Peter Weiss
Craig Landon
Marlene and Lawrence Lewis
Charlotte and Rachel Martin
Veronica McDonnell
Mary and Dave Miller
Paula Miller and John-Stephen Taylor
Ginny and Danny Orthwein
Marcee and Frank Palazzo
Deborah and Richard Radasch
Margaret and Nathan Rich
Jane and Bruce Robert
Leena and Ravindra Shitut
Nancy Sido and Lee Hoffman
Nadine Smith and Calvin Thomas
Susan Stangler
Jerome and Andrew Thomasson
Sheryl and Kevin Uerling
Patrick von Gontard and Charles Hawes
Kathy and Daniel Wilke
Mary and Sarah Yousef
Galileo Members
Rose and Peter Albrecht
Shana and Santo Albright
Beth and Clark Allen
Melanie and David Alpers∞
Arthur Altvater
Melanie and Jeffrey Altvater
Kristina Anderson and Christopher LaBanca
IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A WORLD-CLASS SCIENCE CENTER IN ST. LOUIS THAT IS FREE TO ENTER IN ORDER TO ENGAGE EVERYONE IN SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY AND LEARNING. – Einstein Society Member
Arthur Auer
Jean Ayer and Sarah Malkus
Linda Bardol and Michael Chervitz
Robert Barnes
Jeanna and Andrew Basnett
Cassandra and Nathan Bestor
Julie and William Bilbruck
Kathleen and Kip Bilderback
Mary and Brian Blanchard
Cynthia and Thomas Bottini
Diane and John Breen
Kevin Burkhart and Kevin O’Bryan
Brianne and Mike Burns
Joseph Cobetto
Elisabeth Cole and Jason Lockhart
Lucy and William Conley
Joyce and Raymond Costello
Denise Coughlin and Ralph Levy
Daniel Curtis
Jacqueline and Philip Dahlheimer
Sara and David Dahm
Preeti Dalawari and John Vandover
Donna Davis
Susan and Fred Delano
Francesa and Nicholas DeStefane
Linda Dunn and Paul Sheehan
Louise and Steven Epner
Melody and Dara Eskridge
Katherine and Richard Fitzer
Peter Fuerst
Janice Galeckas and Stephanie Young
Colleen and Matthew Glisson
Stacey Goldman and Timothy Greenwald
Carolyn Green and Arthur Floyd
Kristin and John Grigsby
Dudley and James Grove
Ann and Brian Guntli
Karen and Steve Hanske
Melissa Harden and Sarah Galbraith
Jami Harre and Erick Patton
Kathleen and David Hawkins∞
Patricia and Barry Hendrickson
Phyllis and Charles Hershey
Natalie Hilterbrand and Norlita Kaul
Angela and Philip Huddleston
Dawn and Bill Huffman
Michelle and John Jackson
Lynne Johnson
Eva and Mark Johnston
Kathleen and Frank Johnston
Sally Johnston
Margaret and James Kiley
Constance and Terry Klingelhoefer
Gerlinde and Michael Koebel
Constance Kovach
Mary and James Kriegshauser
Amy and Mike Licis
Nancy and Keith Lissant
Rosalie and Robert Long
Clemencia and John Mazuski
Richard McLaughlin
Jo Ann McNaughton-Kade and Christopher Kade
Andrea and Bryce Meyer
Linda and Robert Meyer
Matthew and Marie Moore
Susan and James Morrell
Nikki Murdick and Michael Reynierse
Ellen Murphy and Colleen Ganz
Lory and Adam Naylor
Kathryn Nixon
Robbin and Bruce Oehler
Elizabeth Parker
Emily and Brian Parker
Stephanie and Eric Petersen
Barbara Prosser and Philip Heagney∞
Amy Ravin and Eric Brown
Gail Rimkus-Appel and Todd Appel
Shelley and James Ringhofer
William Rodgers
Susan and Peter Rogers
Doris Rosas and Luis Vallejos
Beth and Donn Rubin
Liz Samuels and Peter Mead
Carol Schwab
Ann Scott
Lilly Seaton and Josh Weissflug
Cynthia and Thomas Siler
Sue and Timothy Sisson
Kim and Thor Sisson
Eric Spalding
Arthur Stern
Louise and Warren Sullivan
Michelle and Jeffrey Switzer
Tracy and Joseph Thomas
Blair Thompson
Wilda and Kevin Tierney
Yumirle and Michael Turmelle
Isabel and David Van Essen
Kristi and Eric Van Luven
Betty Varghese
Janet and Thomas Vogt
Nickol and Karlos Washington
Jill and Robert Waxler
Susan and Steven Weitzel
Kristen and Brian Wellinghoff
Gabrielle and Tyrone Wilson
Lea and Jerry Wilson
Louise and Michael Wilson∞
Cynthia and Thomas Woolsey
Ron and Janey Worthington
Lynn and Douglas Yaeger
Susan and Frank Ziegler
Kathleen and Joseph Ziha∞
Joan Zimmermann
* deceased ∞ charter member
Curiosity Fund Donors
January 1 – December 31, 2025
$50,000 TO $75,000
Anne and Jack Bader∞
$20,000 TO $49,999
Steph and Michael Heim
Margot and Edward Monser
$10,000 TO $19,999
Mary Jane and Michael Baughman
Christine Jacobs and Hank Webber
Kathryn Hayes, Alden and Terry Pflager, Ruth and Mark Wood, and Margaret and Sam Hayes IVIn memory of Samuel B. Hayes, III
Carol B. Loeb∞
Peter and Julie Sharamitaro
Glen and Sharon Stettin
Judith Toombs
Risa Zwerling Wrighton and Mark Wrighton
$5,000 TO $9,999
David Kocs
Anne and John McDonnell∞
Rachel Presti and Jeremy Williams
Peggy Ritter
Laura and Mark Sawyier
Jane Tschudy
$2,500 TO $4,999
Kate Dugan and Daniel Kolta
Matt and Lisa Hall
Tracy Hart and Tom Hassel
Beth and Tim Kastner
Katherine McDonnell and Antonio Pipoli
Andy and Mary Ann Srenco
Mary Strauss
Dianne and Grenville Sutcliffe∞
Anonymous
$1,000 TO $2,499
Martha and David Aronson∞
Robert Ashton
Ramon Bahl
David Blasingame
Mary and Ken Bower
Karen Branding and Rick Hummell
Susan and Lawrence Casey
Barry Cervantes
David Cruzan
Daniel Curtis
Mrs. George B. Desloge
Maria and Enrico Di Cera
Emily and Colin Frost
Amy and Pat Galvin
Karen and Don Geders
Wendy and Daniel Geraty
Stacey Goldman
Kerry and William Holekamp
Joanne and Joel Iskiwitch∞
Margaret and Martin Israel∞
Rosalyn and Charles Lowenhaupt
Cindy and Kenneth Luecke
Peter Mackie
Renee and Steven Martin
Lesley McIntire
Mildred Moody
Arianna and Alex Muckerman
Julie and Eric Nichols
Jeannette and Alan Nissenbaum
Kim and Guy Phillips
Romy and Tim Rozar
Anna and Mark Sears
Kathleen and James Sherby
Sarah Smith and Dick Fleming
* deceased ∞ charter member
Curie Society
We are grateful for the generosity of donors who have chosen to support the institution through a planned estate gift. Their commitment ensures a lasting impact on our mission for future generations.
Nancy L. Buth*∞
David Ganz
Judy and Harvey Harris
Hannah and Lawrence Langsam
Marlene and Lawrence Lewis
Alice and John Mohr
Charles Oertli*∞
Karen and Bill Stebelski
Barbie Steps
Corporate and Foundation Partners
January 1 – December 31, 2025
Visionary
$75,000 - $500,000
Burns & McDonnell Foundation
The Boeing Company
William R. Orthwein, Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation
Margaret Blanke Grigg Foundation
Anonymous
PARTNER SUPPORT SPOTLIGHT
Orthwein Foundation
The Orthwein Foundation has been a steady, sustaining partner of the Science Center for years, and their continued general operating support is both practical and powerful. Flexible funding helps us meet community needs as they emerge, supporting the “everything it takes” work behind strong guest experiences, education programs, and access efforts— the kind of support that makes long-term impact possible.
Educator
$50,000 TO $74,999
Emerson
Case IH NAFTA
Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company, LLC
Anonymous
Stargazer
$25,000 TO $49,999
Eric and Evelyn
Newman Foundation
Activator
$10,000 TO $24,999
Ameren
American Direct Marketing Resources
ArchKey Solutions
BJC HealthCare
Gateway Information Committee
Lewis Rice LLC
Mastercard
Nestlé Purina PetCare
Norman J. Stupp Foundation –Commerce Bank, Trustee
OPA Foundation
Paz Family Foundation
Prairie Farms Dairy
Seiler Family Foundation
Taylor Family Foundation
Toyota USA Foundation
Harlene and Marvin Wool Foundation
Explorer
$5,000 TO $9,999
The Academy of Science
CNH Industrial America LLC
Cannonball Agency
Cardinals Care
Centene Corporation
Commerce Bank
Edison Family Foundation
Enterprise Mobility
Lockton Companies
Missouri Farm Bureau
Mr. and Mrs. Sanford N.
McDonnell Foundation
PGAV Destinations
Reinsurance Group of America (RGA)
St. Louis Area BMW Centers
Inventor
$1,000 TO $4,999
ABNA Engineering, Inc.
The Bellwether Foundation
Carmody MacDonald P.C.
The Chod Family Foundation
Commerce Bancshares Foundation
CTI
Evntiv
GadellNet Consulting Services
Husky Corporation
Intoximeters
Missouri Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Regional Business Council
Safety National
St. Louis County Farm Bureau
St. Luke’s Hospital
Washington University in St. Louis
In-Kind Donors
Case IH NAFTA
Franklin Floats
The Garden Shop
Lookin Up Optics
Bess Marshall
ONCE Films
Parallax Printing
St. Louis Composting
Walter Knoll Florist
Matching Gift Companies
American Family Insurance
Bank of America
Bayer
The Boeing Company
Bunge North America
CarMax
Charles Schwab
Corning Inc. Foundation
Emerson
Equifax, Inc.
Evergy
FM Global
GM Giving
GoDaddy
Intuit
Mastercard
NVIDIA
Pfizer, Inc.
Prudential Financial
Reinsurance Group of America (RGA)
T-Mobile
U.S. Bancorp
Verizon
Emerson
A long-time supporter of the Science Center, Emerson stepped forward as the Major Sponsor of our inaugural WONDER event, helping launch a new tradition celebrating science, gathering community leaders around shared purpose, and fueling the work that happens every day at the Science Center. Their leadership support set the tone for what WONDER is meant to be: a joyful, high-visibility moment that translates into real impact for St. Louis families, educators, and young learners throughout the year.
PARTNER SUPPORT SPOTLIGHT
VISION OF THE SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER
We envision an equitable and inclusive society where people are passionate about science and use it to improve lives, transform communities, and empower future generations.
MISSION OF THE SAINT LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER
To inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science.
