1. Can you briefly tell us about the history of the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST)—and your current exhibits?
The Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology (MOST) was founded in 1992 in a storefront on Salina Street. Over the past three decades, the museum has grown into its current 35,000-square-foot space in the historic Armory building in the heart of downtown Syracuse.
The MOST includes dozens of hands-on and interactive exhibits and monthly activities. We’re excited to be debuting our newest permanent exhibit—GROW—this spring, which is all about agriculture and food systems right here in Central New York. GROW will give visitors a chance to learn about the science and technology used by farmers and food producers and how food production affects the world around us.
Some of our other popular exhibits include the Dino Zone, with incredible animatronic dinosaurs and a tank of live stingrays; BUILD, where kids use giant foam blocks to construct anything they can dream of; DECONSTRUCTED, presented by Micron, which uncovers the world of semiconductors and microchips and how they power the world around us; and the Stickley Science Playhouse, a four-story interactive area that invites kids to unleash their energy running through a huge climbing, sliding, and jumping structure. Finally, our National Grid ExploraDome is an incredible domed theatre showing nature and science documentaries and planetarium shows six times a day.
2. Who makes up the museum’s educational team?
We have an incredible education department led by Emily Stewart, Ph.D., that is always developing new, engaging activities and programs primarily for ages 4–13, but with fun for the whole family. Emily’s team of eight includes science educators, inclusion programs specialists, and others who engage with guests both at the museum and off-site to make science learning fun and attainable. Whether conducting a discovery session for a school field trip, doing a demonstration at a local library, or educating museum guests during one of our many programs, our education team makes science come alive! With a focus on STEM education, the team’s goal is to introduce the next generation to the amazing STEM career opportunities they can be a part of right here in their own community.
3. What programs do you offer on a monthly basis?
- The MOST offers many recurring programs at the museum. Check our website, most.org, for more information or to sign up for special programs:
- Our new Family Film Series shows a family-friendly matinee at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the first full weekend of each month. Upcoming shows include Elemental, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie.
Amazon presents Be the Scientist on the last Saturday of each month highlights a new science profession and activities. - Sensory Friendly Time, from 9-11 a.m. the third Sunday of the month, is an opportunity for guests who prefer a less stimulating museum experience, when sounds are turned down and crowds are fewer. We also offer an ASL-interpreted show in our National Grid ExploraDome at 10:30 a.m.
- Our STEAM Explorers programs include MACNY Future Women in STEM for girls in grades 6-8, held on the second Saturday of the month, October-May, with different female STEM professionals from local companies leading them in a fun, hands-on activity. KeyBank Future Innovators in STEM is targeted toward students of color, with a challenge-based workshop each month aligned with the MOST’s five STEM Challenges.
- We have seven Inclusion Showcase displays throughout the year highlighting scientific achievements of individuals and groups who are historically underrepresented in STEM fields.
4. Does the MOST have any other special activities or events planned for 2025?
We have a ton of great activities coming up this year! Check our event calendar at most.org/events for the most up-to-date list of activities. Some highlights include:
- The new GROW exhibit opens March 27.
- The Earth Day Festival on April 19. This free outdoor event will feature fun sustainability activities for the whole family, vendors, food trucks, and more.
- Our free STEM Challenges run through the school year, including the CNY Science & Engineering Fair on March 30, the Rocket Team Challenge on May 31, the Catapult Challenge on Oct. 18, and the Bridges Challenge in November. Information and sign-ups are available at most.org/stem-challenges.
- The MOST runs week-long camps during the February and April school breaks and through the summer that engage kids in fun science activities.
- In October, we celebrate EEK = MC2 with a full weekend of Halloween-themed activities throughout the museum.
- December brings our Arctic Pajama Parties that include our famous hot cocoa bar, hands-on arctic science activities, and a screening of a special show in our National Grid ExploraDome.
Know an educator who deserves a mention? Email [email protected].
