40. Community Need The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery is in the urban heart of Dayton, Ohio. Our community recognizes the importance of having a leading regional destination that offers opportunities for people to connect with global natural history, science, and nature. Dayton requires this resource to be modern, innovative, and engaging for all ages. The aim is to spark inspiration in our visitors, so they go on to pursue further education and become the next generation of STEM leaders. By transforming the museum's ground floor, including the planetarium, which has been a source of pride for almost 30 years, we ensure that our visitors can access and benefit from the educational resources within our facility. This first floor transformation also gives the museum an opportunity to highlight and educate the community about one of the region’s most valuable resources—water. Not only is water a critical resource for our local businesses, serving as a tremendous asset to the community as an economic driver, it is also a fun topic for our future generations to ignite their passions for further STEM learning.

It is our responsibility to preserve these invaluable educational treasures for our community, not only for the next 30 years but also for generations to come. The museum sees approximately 250,000 visitors annually, including close to 60,000 school children. Boonshoft Museum has something for everyone, presenting multidisciplinary exhibits for all ages—young to old.