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MUSEUM OF INNOVATION AND SCIENCE
SCHENECTADY, NY · EIN 141275432 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE A500 · Arts, Culture & Humanities · Medium ($1M-$10M) · misci.org
revenue
$1.1M
expenses
$1.5M
net assets
$3.9M
employees
22
volunteers
10
program ratio
60%
mission · from form 990

TO MAINTAIN A SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM WHERE ALL OF OUR EXHIBITS, PROGRAMS, AND EVENTS ARE DESIGNED WITH OUR MISSION IN MIND: TO INSPIRE A SENSE OF WONDER ABOUT EXTRAORDINARY SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS: PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE.

profile · synthesized from sources

Science and technology museum based in Schenectady, NY, offering interactive exhibits, educational programs, and planetarium shows designed to inspire wonder in STEM for learners of all ages. Provides hands-on field trips, outreach, and virtual programs primarily for school groups, with a focus on K–12 students. Hosts public visitors and researchers, preserving a collection of over 15,000 historical science and technology artifacts.

named programs · 6 · from sources

What they call their work

Field Trips
On-site school visits including self-guided exhibition tours, planetarium shows, hands-on STEM programs, and lunch space; $15.50 per student
Jane Golub STEM Fund
Provides financial aid for school groups and underserved youth to access free or discounted admission and programming
Outreach Programs
Mobile STEM programs delivered off-site to schools and organizations, including hands-on experiments in engineering, life science, and physical science; $185–$240 per 25 students
Sensory-Friendly Programs
Specialized offerings for neurodiverse individuals to engage with exhibits and programs in an accessible environment
Suits-Bueche Planetarium Shows
Immersive dome experiences including Cosmic Wonders, Earth's Wild Ride, and Phantom of the Universe, with live narration and digital projections
Virtual Programs
Live, interactive STEM sessions via Zoom or Google Meet with mailed experiment materials; $185 per 25 students
activities · 7 groups

What they do

  • Public Astronomy & Space Science Education 2 activities
    • Offer planetarium programming for public and group audiences
      Hosts daily planetarium shows at 12, 1, and 3 p.m., live-operated shows on weekends, laser matinees on weekends at 4 p.m., and Rockin’ the Dome events on Saturday evenings. Planetarium shows are also available to field trips and group visits as part of educational programming.
    • Operate science and technology museum with public exhibitions and educational programming
      Runs a museum in Schenectady, NY, featuring interactive exhibits on science and technology topics such as measurement, space, physics, and engineering, open to the public Tuesday through Sunday with extended hours during summer months. The museum includes permanent and rotating exhibitions such as life-sized dinosaur replicas, Design Zone, and Measure Up!, and offers daily planetarium shows and laser matinees.
  • Hands-On STEM Education Programs 1 activity
    • Deliver hands-on educational programs for students and families
      Provides STEM-focused educational programs for students and families, including workshops on engineering, forensic science, celestial motion, chemistry, and the Erie Canal. These programs are delivered on-site and across multiple states, reaching over 19,000 students in the Capital Region and serving 33,723 visitors during the 2023–2024 program year.
  • Event Venue Rental Services 1 activity
    • Host public and private events in museum spaces
      Hosts evening public events such as Rockin’ the Dome, which include gallery access and planetarium shows, and offers private event rentals for up to 400 guests for mingling or 200 for sit-down events, providing unique event experiences within museum galleries.
  • Local History Archival Access 1 activity
    • Manage historical collections and support public research access
      Curates and maintains a combined collection of over 15,000 artifacts, 1,500 films, 400 audio recordings, and two million photographs from the museum and the General Electric Hall of Electrical History, featuring these materials in exhibitions and educational programs, and supports approximately 400 researchers and 2,000 research inquiries annually.
  • Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
    • Provide inclusive access through financial assistance and accessibility programs
      Offers reduced-cost or free admission to SNAP/EBT cardholders through Museums for All, free admission for teachers with valid ID, and reduced-cost field trips and scholarships for underserved students through the Jane Golub STEM Fund, which has offset nearly $46,000 in costs for over 6,400 students since inception.
  • Museum Volunteer Engagement & Operations Support 1 activity
    • Provide volunteer engagement opportunities in museum operations
      Engages volunteers in visitor guidance, gallery maintenance, educational program support, table activities, and exhibition setup and teardown, contributing to daily museum operations and visitor experience.
  • Donor-Advised Fund Grantmaking 1 activity
    • Support museum operations and collections through endowment funding and planned giving
      Accepts bequests and planned gifts designated for the miSci Endowment Fund and recognizes donors in the Arthur Jones Legacy Society, supporting long-term sustainability of museum collections and mission.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.07M
Contributions & grants$409K38%
Program service revenue$575K54%
Investment income$31K3%
Other revenue$53K
expenses
Total expenses$1.49M
Program expenses60%
Admin / overhead32%
Fundraising8%
Salaries & benefits$818K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.07M
Cash$89K
Investments$2.01M
Liabilities$165K
Net assets$3.91M
Liquid reserves16.9 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue -17.2%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
GINA GOULD PRESIDENT (THRU DEC 2024) 40 $138K
CHRIS HUNTER PRESIDENT (START DEC 2024) 40 $59K
board members · 10
  • BRADLEY G LEWIS PHD — TRUSTEE
  • CAMEO ROWE JR — TRUSTEE
  • MARSHALL G JONES PHD — TRUSTEE
  • MICHELLE BENNETT — VICE PRESIDENT
  • PAUL HOUPT PHD — SECRETARY
  • TATE OTTATI — TRUSTEE
  • TERRA JOY — TRUSTEE
  • TODD ALHART — TREASURER
  • WILLIAM FAUBION — CHAIR
  • WILLIAM SWEET — TRUSTEE
relationships · 10

Who they work with

  • Arts Thrive and Grow Funder — Grantmaking program that has provided funding to miSci, supported by New York State and Governor Kathy Hochul.
  • CERN Partner — Features content related to dark matter research conducted at CERN in the planetarium show 'Phantom of the Universe'.
  • Dynavision International Partner — Supported the development and presentation of the Measure Up! exhibit.
  • General Electric Hall of Electrical History Partner — Merged with miSci in 1997 to combine collections on the history of electricity and technological change.
  • Google Partner — Uses Google Meet as a platform for hosting private virtual sessions with classes or groups.
  • Jane Golub Partner — Funded the Jane Golub STEM Fund to support miSci's educational programs for underserved youth.
  • Jane Golub STEM Fund Partner — Funds financial assistance for school trips, transportation, and class scholarships for underserved schoolchildren to access miSci exhibits and programs.
  • Manhattan Exchange Partner — Provided food for the Big Bang fundraising event.
  • Museums for All Network — Participates in the national Museums for All program to provide reduced admission for SNAP/EBT cardholders.
  • Zoom Partner — Uses Zoom as a platform for hosting private virtual sessions with schools and groups.
strategies · 5

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.

  • Engineering Design Process as Educational Framework
    methodology: engineering_design_process
    By applying the engineering design process as a teaching method, the museum enables learners to explore science and history through problem-solving and iteration, because structured design challenges develop critical thinking, creativity, and applied knowledge.
  • Equity-Centered Access to STEAM Education
    methodology: equity_through_access
    By providing free or subsidized access to underserved schoolchildren and prioritizing financial assistance, the museum increases STEM engagement among underrepresented populations because removing economic barriers enables participation and inspires long-term interest in science and technology.
  • Hands-on, Interactive Learning as Pedagogical Foundation
    methodology: hands_on_learning
    By using hands-on, interactive exhibits and tangible experiences, the museum fosters deeper engagement and understanding of scientific concepts because direct interaction promotes retention, curiosity, and experiential learning.
  • Inquiry-Based Learning Through Technological History
    methodology: inquiry_based_learning
    By using preserved technological artifacts and historical context in interactive, inquiry-based formats, the museum helps visitors understand the societal impact of innovation because connecting science to its human and historical dimensions deepens comprehension and critical thinking.
  • Integration of Creative Domains with STEM
    methodology: creative_stem_integration
    By integrating science and math education into art, music, and creative domains, the museum demonstrates real-world applications of STEM, because interdisciplinary connections foster innovation and make abstract concepts more accessible and engaging.