Current Hours of OperationMonday Closed
Tuesday Closed Wednesday Open for field trips as arranged (No walk-in public hours) Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p. m. Sunday Closed "Bonus days" and special events or programming as announced! Text the phrase "SPInews" to the number 1-833-203-9501 to opt into mobile alerts. SPI may close due to inclement weather. Any unanticipated closure will be posted on the Welcome page of our website and/or our Facebook page. Admission Pricing Daily Admission (during published hours of operation):
$4 per person $2 per person Museums for All rate for EBT cardholders* $0 for SPI current SPI members named on card (accompanying guests of SPI members pay regular admission) *Museums for All subsidized daily admission (for qualifying households) is made possible in 2024 thanks to our sponsor Knox Community Hospital. Read more about this and SPI's other Museums for All financial accessibility initiatives here: https://www.spi-mountvernon.org/financial-accessiblity-programs.html
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Location
400 S. Main Street, Mt. Vernon, Ohio 43050 inside Kenyon College's Wright Center*. We are open to the general public! Entrance into the building is from Gay Street. *SPI is an independent 501c3 non-profit organization which is proud to partner with Kenyon College (and other area institutions which provide expertise or financial & in-kind support) to deliver on its mission. SPI does not operate as an entity or department of the university. ParkingParking at SPI is FREE and easy!
We have a small parking lot on the east (back) side of our building off Gay Street. Additional free parking is available at these two public lots located immediately adjacent to SPI: 1. Riverview Park (404 S. Gay Street) 2. intersection of Howard and Gay Streets and another is |
Admission benefits to SPI members at other ASTC centers:
Thanks to SPI's participation in the ASTC Passport Program, our members enjoy these reciprocal benefits:
- Visits to COSI (Columbus) or The Works (Newark) get 50% off those centers' respective admission fees when showing their SPI membership card (and matching IDs for all accompanying adults listed as our members).
- FREE admission to the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland - and other participating Ohio centers - for SPI member cardholders WHOSE HOME ADDRESSES ARE 90 OR MORE MILES FROM THOSE FACILITIES. Must provide any documentation indicated by those institutions policies.
- FREE or reduced admission (or other discounts/perks) at any of the participating ASTC member institutions nationwide. Exclusions apply and benefits vary, so be sure to call ahead or read the fine print here: https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/.
- SPI extends matching benefits to members of our regional partner organizations, COSI and The Works. And we offer free admission to those coming to our facility from the Great Lakes Science Center or any other participating ASTC member organization nationwide IF THEIR CARDHOLDERS HOME ADDRESSES ARE 90 OR MORE MILES FROM SPI!
Field Trips and Private Rentals
Please contact our office manager Jane (Janehspispot[at]gmail[dot]com) to inquire about field trips or birthday parties.
A note about public health
There are currently no recognized, local public health emergencies prompting the need for universal masking inside SPI.
However, those who feel ill with ANY type of possibly contagious virus should avoid a visit to SPI until it is resolved and/or choose to wear a mask out of courtesy for others.
If community conditions change at any point in the future, SPI will monitor and respond to recommendations from the CDC and/or Knox Public Health and - at our board's discretion - will institute policies as needed which align with our organizational values.
Capacity is always limited inside to ensure compliance with fire code, guest comfort, and access to equipment.
However, those who feel ill with ANY type of possibly contagious virus should avoid a visit to SPI until it is resolved and/or choose to wear a mask out of courtesy for others.
If community conditions change at any point in the future, SPI will monitor and respond to recommendations from the CDC and/or Knox Public Health and - at our board's discretion - will institute policies as needed which align with our organizational values.
Capacity is always limited inside to ensure compliance with fire code, guest comfort, and access to equipment.
Virtual Tour
Activities at SPI
Activities at SPI change frequently, through the use of creative table-top planning, pop-up demonstrations
and the presentation of existing exhibits in new ways. Below is a list of some of the features at SPI Spot!
and the presentation of existing exhibits in new ways. Below is a list of some of the features at SPI Spot!
- FLEXHIBITS to illustrate physics concepts: Air Rockets, Vertical Flyer, Ring Launcher, and a Circuit Bench;
- Rotating "periodic tabletop" activities that include art and craft options, tinkering materials, or any number of creative seasonal or themed set-ups;
- A Wandering Bridge and Treehouse Climber for large motor play (kids crawl through leveled platforms overlooking SPI, or climb to the top;
- A dark room with themes that rotate to create new immersive environments;
- A cozy Enchanted Forest where our littlest visitors enjoy sliding, hiding, climbing;
- Blue Building Blocks - safe and large foam blocks for making sculptures or engineering tracks, ramps or whatever else your children can imagine;
- An Augmented Reality Sandbox, allowing families to get hands on with geology concepts while enjoying a zen sensory experience.
- A flex space that can host temporary features or workshops (currently serving as the last stop on SPI Mission: Supporting Structures which lets explore the contributions of scientists from history);
- A reading nook to help kids calm and connect;
- A high powered microscope with display monitor;
- A color wheel that illustrates both how gears work and also how colors mix;
- Other engaging elements like: a magnetic wall, a pulley, measuring devices and scales, featured sensory options, and more!