Our Vision:
A scientifically literate society
A Primary Resource for Lifelong STEM Learning
While COSI provides a physical place where people can feel
comfortable with science, we are committed to extending that
comfort beyond our walls— bringing science to learners of all
ages across all corners of our city.
Every day, COSI serves as a go-to resource that schools,
community centers, and the public in general can turn to for
science engagement and enlightenment. As a natural
complement to formal STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math) learning and a trusted educational
partner, the COSI Center for School and Community
Partnerships plays an integral role in our local learning
ecosystem by inspiring interest in STEM subjects and careers.
- COSI On Wheels programs, like It’s Simply Chemistry, engage more than 295,000 elementary school students in Ohio and surrounding states each year.
- It’s teamwork time in a Robotics Outreach Workshop, as three students test their new programming skills on a LEGO® Mindstorms® EV3 robot.
- A researcher from The Ohio State University assists students during a 21st Century Learning Lab workshop, held in one of three working laboratory pods that comprise our Labs in Life exhibit.
Essential to Children’s Readiness for School
- A COSI educator leads inquiry-based learning for pre-K students through a Junior Engineer outreach workshop, featuring an engineering career focus, guided discoveries, hands-on activities, and a literature connection read-aloud.
- Pre-K students from PACT’s (Partners Achieving Community Transformation) Health Science Academies visit COSI in lab coats as part of their learning journey toward future careers in the health industries.
- Two children express their artistic side in the little kidspace art studio, where our youngest visitors are encouraged to enjoy open-ended play and exploration through developmentally appropriate activities.
Access to quality pre-K education continues to be a significant
issue in Franklin County. COSI is committed to contributing
experiences that provide a launch pad for learning in our
youngest learners throughout our diverse community, offering
pre-k outreach workshops and little kidspace®, a signature
COSI exhibit exclusively for learners, birth through first grade.
We also offer “Step Up to Quality” Approved professional
development trainings, helping early childhood educators
integrate Science Process Skills into their classrooms and
equipping them to better prepare their students for long term
academic success.
A Critical Player in Economic and Community Development
Central Ohio is a growing community. COSI is committed to
providing programs and experiences that support the
development of its next-generation critical thinkers, innovators,
and STEM professionals who will contribute to the vitality and
success of our region.
While we support local teens with career awareness and soft
skill development, we are also building bridges with partners
and neighbors to help fuel Columbus forward. As the Scioto
Peninsula transforms and the Columbus region grows, COSI is
proud to serve as a pillar institution, providing a nucleus for
activity and public engagement.
- Two teens work with a 3-D printer in the Tech Studio, our state-of-the-art digital lab, featuring mentor-guided multimedia activities that help develop digital literacy and practical job skills toward careers of the future.
- A teen volunteer guides learning, gaining real world work experience as part of the COSI Team in COSI’s Career Ladder program— a pathway for youth to develop 21st Century Skills desired by today’s employers.
- Students attempt to save “Bob” from a coronary thrombosis as part of the Health & Medicine cohort in our COSI Academy career exploration program for teens.