The Science Museum of Virginia has been named a 2025 Newsweek Readers’ Choice Award winner. Ranked in third place, the recognition places the Science Museum in the top one percent of STEM-focused institutions in the United States.
“We are honored to be included on a list of the top science museums in the nation,” said Chief Wonder Officer Rich Conti. “We get to see the positive impact of our work everyday; it’s gratifying to have others recognize what we do. We are delighted to receive this national accolade and will continue working hard to enrich the lives of all Virginians.”
Newsweek’s group of featured panelists and contributors selected nominees from the more than 400 science museums nationwide. The only finalist in the Mid-Atlantic Region, the Science Museum is among 10 notable STEM centers throughout the country.
- Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Ariz.
- Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), Portland, Ore.
- Science Museum of Virginia, Richmond, Va.
- Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Ill.
- Field Museum, Chicago, Ill.
- Science Museum of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Okla.
- American Museum of Natural History, New York, N.Y.
- NASA Kennedy Space Center, Merritt Island, Fla.
- Exploratorium of San Francisco, San Francisco, Calif.
- California Academy of Science, San Francisco, Calif.
Opening its doors in 1977, the Science Museum has been inspiring guests of all ages for nearly 50 years. Showcasing a variety of STEM-focused content and offering engaging experiences including live demos, hands-on labs, touring exhibitions, special events and planetarium shows, the Science Museum nurtures curiosity, promotes discovery and changes perspectives.
Science Museum sites in Richmond and Danville saw more than 536,000 in visitation last year. Construction just started on the Science Museum’s satellite location in Loudoun County, which is projected to open in 2027.
“Science museums are an important community resource,” Conti added. “They are dedicated to examining, contextualizing and communicating significant STEM research. We strive to create an experience for our guests that leaves a lasting impression by enhancing their understanding of the world around them.”
