Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Exhibits & Digital Media: To advance its mission of igniting our community's passion for nature and science, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science presents a dynamic menu of permanent and temporary exhibits (Apollo, Unseen Oceans, Bugs, Planet Ice and Wild Color), films in the newly renovated Infinity theater, offsite science play areas and awe-inspiring shows in its digital Planetarium. In 2023, the Museum served 2.4 million adults, families, and students, including 1.1 million offsite in the community and virtually.

Science Division: Museum scientists contribute knowledge about the earth, its inhabitants, and beyond by conducting research across multiple scientific disciplines including anthropology, earth sciences, health sciences, space sciences, and zoology. Staff also manage, curate, and provide access to the Museum's collection of 4.3 million objects and specimens. In 2023, Science Division staff published 37 peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and book chapters, produced 21 popular books, book chapters, articles, and were cited 1,920 times. During this time, staff also hosted 196 researchers and fielded 253 research requests from the scientific community. The Science Division also engaged in abundant educational outreach by communicating science to almost 45,000 members of the public through courses, events, tours, lectures, and field trips. 6,557 of those guests attended collection open houses or behind-the-scenes tours of the Avenir Collections Center. Science staff supervised 35 interns, hosted 20 Teen Science Scholars, and mentored 15 undergraduate and graduate students. The division's volunteer program continued to rebound following the pandemic and in 2023, 900 volunteers contributed over 104,638 hours.

Educational Programs & Community Engagement: In 2023, diverse program offerings for people of all ages include exciting science facilitations, lectures, documentary film screenings, school break camps, and family activity programs. Programs included After Hours virtual lectures, in-person facilitated family programs, numerous virtual program offerings, themed celebrations focused on inclusion, Scientists in Action broadcasts from the field, and many more. ExciteEd programs for schools included teacher professional development classes, field trips and overnight stays at the Museum, virtual science labs, summer and school break camps and offsite programs. Our Museum on Wheels: Curiosity Cruiser and the community engagement team connected nearly 29,800 people with nature and science by going to their events and communities.