COSI Columbus

COSI Columbus

COSI, formerly known as the Center of Science and Industry, is a science museum in Columbus, Ohio, in the United States. COSI features more than 300 interactive exhibits throughout themed exhibition areas – Ocean, Space, Gadgets, Life, Little Kidspace, Progress, the outdoor Big Science Park, and the newly opened Lily Pad, a watershed division of Ocean. WOSU@COSI, began in 2006 and is the first public broadcasting and science center partnership. In 2009, Parents Magazine named COSI the #1 Science Center for families in the country.

The museum also features exhibit areas that provide experiences for all age levels to combine science facts and learning through play. In addition to its exhibits, COSI has several live shows such as the Electrostatic Generator Show. There is also a seven-story Extreme Screen theater, the Science2GO! retail store, and the Atomicafe restaurant. COSI also hosts traveling exhibitions from other museums throughout the year.

More than five million teachers and students have experienced COSI’s education programs. These outreach education programs are tailored to support national and statewide science curriculum and standards. Programs such as Electronic Education and COSI On Wheels bring science learning to students throughout Ohio and across the country. Camp-In is an overnight program for Girl Scouts that began in 1972 at COSI. The program has since expanded to Boy Scouts, and is now duplicated nationwide at other science centers and museums.

As a not-for-profit organization, COSI is supported by ticket sales, a network of community and statewide partnerships, including relationships with a variety of donors, sponsors, 19,000 Member households, and a large volunteer program. COSI reaches more than one million people a year through visits to the museum and outreach activities.