Our Mission

The Discovery Science Center is a hands-on science museum in Bridgeport, Connecticut, that serves as both a tourist destination and an educational resource for area families, schools, and other groups. Founded in 1958, opened to the public in 1962, and originally named the Museum of Art, Science, and Industry (or commonly referred to using the acronym MASI), Discovery Science Center has offered interactive learning opportunities to generations of local residents. Over the years, the Science Center shifted focus away from fine arts, becoming a regional science center. Discovery still prides itself on continuing to showcase local artists in gallery spaces, and on continuing to encourage creativity and individual expression through the science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) activities we offer. We provide dynamic STEAM experiences designed to resonate with the innate curiosity, learning desire, and spirit of exploration of our guests. We aim to encourage young learners to ask questions, solve problems, and engineer solutions today so they are better prepared to embrace the challenges of tomorrow. The Science Center seeks to enhance public understanding of STEAM through resources that include educational programs, shows in the Henry B. duPont III Planetarium, simulated space missions in the Challenger Center, presentations animated on Science on a Sphere, and a variety of permanent and traveling exhibits. We are southern Connecticut’s preeminent non-profit educational resource for STEAM learning and space education, and we are dedicated to providing a resource for STEAM enrichment to families, schools, and other groups from our region. Over 65,000 people take part in Science Center programming each year, through individual visits, school field trips, educational outreach to schools, and a variety of fun and dynamic public programs.