COSI-Ohio Center of Science and Industry, Columbus

COSI, the Center of Science and Industry, is a science museum and research facility. Known for its immersive exhibitions and educational programming, COSI features more than 300 interactive exhibits across themed areas such as Ocean, Space, Energy, Progress, Life, and Gadgets. It also includes the American Museum of Natural History Dinosaur Gallery, a 220-seat planetarium, a National Geographic Giant Screen Theater, and designated spaces for early childhood learning, hands-on science experiments, and seasonal outdoor exhibits.

Founded in 1964 by the Franklin County Historical Society, COSI originally operated from Memorial Hall on East Broad Street before relocating in 1999 to a 320,000-square-foot structure along the Scioto River. The new building, designed by architect Arata Isozaki, incorporates the former Central High School into its design. COSI gradually reopened most of its spaces, reintroducing key features such as the Planetarium and Adventure exhibit. In 2017, COSI began a partnership with the American Museum of Natural History to bring permanent and rotating exhibits to the museum.

Visitors to COSI can explore a recreated small-town streetscape from 1898 and 1962 in the Progress exhibit, examine scientific principles through hands-on experiments in Gadgets, or enter an underwater-themed area with interactive water displays in Ocean. The Space exhibit includes a replica space capsule and balance simulators, while Life presents research labs and interactive health data tracking. The Energy Explorers gallery and Dinosaur Gallery continue to attract interest alongside temporary exhibitions and science-themed events such as the annual COSI Science Festival.