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SCIENCE MUSEUM OF LONG ISLAND INC
PLANDOME, NY · EIN 116038976 · Form 990 · FY2023 · NTEE A520 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Small ($100K-$1M) · smli.org
revenue
$956K
expenses
$928K
net assets
$1.1M
employees
35
volunteers
13
program ratio
65%
mission · from form 990

MAJOR PURPOSE IS TO EDUCATE AND ENTERTAIN CHILDREN THROUGH SCIENCE. MAJOR PROGRAMS INCLUDE SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AFTER SCHOOL WORKSHOPS, SUMMER PROGRAMS, AND TEACHER TRAINING.

profile · synthesized from sources

Science Museum of Long Island provides hands-on science education for children through school programs, summer camps, and after-school workshops. Located on a 36-acre preserve in Manhasset, it offers immersive experiences in nature and science, serving students from preschool through 7th grade. Programs emphasize experiential learning, with themes ranging from ecology to space science.

named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

After School Clubs
Themed, hands-on science clubs for children held after school hours, focusing on experimental learning and seasonal topics
Family Workshops
Interactive science workshops designed for families to participate together, promoting shared learning and engagement with scientific concepts
Native Plant Conservation and Trail Restoration
Volunteer-led conservation projects on the 36-acre Leeds Pond Preserve, including invasive species removal, trail maintenance, and pond restoration
School Field Trip & Outreach Programs
Hands-on science programs for school groups, either at the museum or through educator-led outreach visits to schools; includes themed science activities and live animal demonstrations
Summer Camp
Week-long summer science camp for children entering preschool through 7th grade, featuring hands-on experiments, nature exploration, and themed weeks such as space science and ecology
activities · 8 groups

What they do

  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 2 activities
    • Deliver science education programs for children
      Provides hands-on science education programs for children through school programs (on-site and outreach), after-school workshops, holiday workshops, and summer camps. Programs are age-specific and include topics such as chemistry, oceanography, space exploration, and ecosystem investigations, serving children from preschool through 7th grade. On-site school visits accommodate up to 110 students for 1–3 hour sessions, while outreach educators deliver up to five 40-minute sessions at schools, including live animal programs.
    • Offer scout programs for badge completion
      Provides hands-on science programs tailored for Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts to help them meet requirements for earning badges and pins. Activities are aligned with scouting curricula and delivered through interactive science learning.
  • Ecological Habitat Restoration 1 activity
    • Conduct ecological restoration at Leeds Pond Preserve
      Manages ecological restoration efforts at the 16-acre Leeds Pond Preserve through manual removal of invasive plant species, restoration of native species, forest and woodland restoration, and periodic pond maintenance. Activities are conducted without chemicals and include partnerships with nonprofits and government entities.
  • Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
    • Host family and public science engagement events
      Organizes and hosts public and family-focused science events such as the annual Great Pumpkin Smash, Sciencestock (a music, science, and sustainability festival), themed family workshops (e.g., Leonardo da Vinci bridge-building), and special science-themed activities. These events are designed for all ages and promote interactive learning in a community setting.
  • Nature Preserve Management and Public Access 1 activity
    • Maintain nature trails and native gardens for education and access
      Maintains nearly 5 miles of marked nature trails through diverse habitats (woods, meadow, bluff, beach) to ensure visitor safety and access. Also maintains bird and butterfly-friendly gardens using native plants to support pollinators and provide outdoor educational opportunities.
  • Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
    • Offer venue rental for private and corporate events
      Provides event space for corporate and private functions at Norwood House (up to 150 guests, 5 hours event time) and the Visitor Center (up to 35 guests, 3 hours event time plus 1 hour setup), supporting organizational revenue and community use of facilities.
  • Youth Counselor-in-Training Programs 1 activity
    • Operate Counselor-in-Training program for youth leadership
      Runs a Counselor-in-Training (CIT) program for rising 8th and 9th graders to develop leadership skills and support younger campers during science activities, integrating youth development into summer camp operations.
  • Children's Themed Birthday Parties 1 activity
    • Provide children's birthday party programs
      Hosts science-themed birthday parties for children, offering 2-hour programs with 30 minutes of setup time, capacity for up to 15 child guests, and meals including pizza, juice, and water. Programs include hands-on science activities and themed demonstrations.
  • Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
    • Provide teacher training in science education
      Conducts professional development and training for teachers in science education, enhancing educators' capacity to deliver effective science instruction.
financials · form 990 · fy2023
revenue
Total revenue$956K
Contributions & grants$116K12%
Program service revenue$828K87%
Investment income$3K0%
Other revenue$10K
expenses
Total expenses$928K
Program expenses65%
Admin / overhead35%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$615K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.27M
Cash$1.03M
Investments$0
Liabilities$179K
Net assets$1.09M
Liquid reserves13.4 mo
5 years on record · 2019–2023 · YoY revenue -9.3%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2023

Who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
KRISTEN LAIRD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 35 $130K
board members · 4
  • ALANDHA SCOTT — VICE PRESIDENT
  • JAMES BOYLAN — TREASURER
  • JOSEPH DELERME — PRESIDENT
  • SCOTT ROHAN — SECRETARY
relationships · 16

Who they work with

  • Amilia Partner — Uses Amilia's registration system for family and child profile management and workshop registration.
  • Board of Education Government — Chartered the organization in 1963 as the North Shore Junior Science Museum.
  • Board of Regents of the State of New York Government — Chartered the organization in 1963 as the North Shore Junior Science Museum.
  • Community Chest of Port Washington Funder — Provided funding for scholarships to in-house programs and summer camp for Port Washington residents in 2024 and 2025.
  • Community Chest of Port Washington Funder — Provides grant funding that supports full scholarships for museum programming.
  • Council Member Lurvey Government — Collaborated with the Science Museum of Long Island on a woodland restoration project.
  • Environmental clubs Partner — Partners with environmental clubs to adopt and manage bird and butterfly friendly gardens through the spring and summer.
  • Manhasset Community Fund Funder — Funded upgrades to the Paleo Lab fossil displays in 2024.
  • Michael J. Marino Foundation Funder — Funded a STEM family workshop and bridge building competition inspired by Leonardo da Vinci.
  • Nassau County Government — Operates on Leeds Pond Preserve, a Nassau County-owned property
  • Nassau County Soil & Water Conservation District Funder — Funded forest restoration at the Leeds Pond Preserve in 2025.
  • Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District Government — Partnered with the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District
  • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Funder — Supported by funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
  • Parent Resource Center Partner — Hosts SMLI's after-school programs at its location.
  • Scout groups Partner — Collaborates with scout groups on trail and pond restoration projects, including Eagle Scout service opportunities.
  • The Peter and Jeri DeJana Foundation Funder — Sponsored the 2025 Sciencestock event.
strategies · 3

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Access-Oriented Outreach and Scholarship Model
    methodology: access_oriented_programming
    By removing financial and geographic barriers through scholarships and mobile outreach programs, the museum increases equitable access to science education, because direct delivery and cost reduction enable participation from underserved schools and communities.
  • Ecological Stewardship Through Native Landscaping and Restoration
    methodology: ecological_stewardship
    By designing pollinator-centered native landscapes and conducting chemical-free, collaborative ecosystem restoration, the museum integrates environmental conservation with public education, because living landscapes serve as both habitat and experiential teaching tools that model sustainable practices.
  • Inquiry-Based and Experiential Learning Model
    methodology: inquiry_based_learning
    By engaging children in hands-on, active discovery and problem-solving through experiential and inquiry-based methods, the museum fosters deeper understanding and lasting interest in science, because direct interaction enhances retention, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation to learn.