Science Museum of Virginia

Our mission: Inspiring Virginians to enrich their lives through science.

Gone are the days when science sat idle in a textbook. Since its founding by the Virginia General Assembly in 1970, the Science Museum of Virginia has brought learning to life with hundreds of experiential exhibits, awe-inspiring artifacts, and interactive technologies.

The Science Museum of Virginia is a place that incites inquiry and cultivates curiosity. We feature permanent exhibitions on space, health, electricity, and the earth—to name a few—and we host visiting exhibitions from around the world.

The Museum is proud to house a theater company, a 30 ton moveable kugel ball, a Foucault Pendulum, and a variety of live animals—including our own rat basketball team! Our Dome theater is the largest screen in Virginia, creating the ultimate immersive experience.

We are the premier center for hands-on science education in Virginia, and we invite you to join us for presentations, interactive educational programs, summer camps, overnight adventures, and more.

Going green is important to us. The Museum is discovering new methods of protecting and enhancing the environment through the science of sustainability. We are continually committed to finding new ways of illustrating green science, and hope that you’ll experience our environmental exhibits during your next visit.

The Museum receives guidance and generous support from organizations and community leaders. Our Board of Trustees are appointed by the Governor and provide oversight and policy guidance. We raise funds to support our mission and operations and to meet the museum’s capital needs. For details on our boards and supporting groups, visit the governance page.