Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery The Boonshoft Museum is the premier destination for family learning in the Miami Valley.
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Note: The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery has created this page to share our love of learning in a fair and safe space. As in the physical Museum, online visitors are expected to conduct themselves in ways that are honest and respectful toward others, regardless of disagreements. Any comments that violate this basic premise of civility will be deleted, and repeat offenders may be blocked from posting on the page.

🦅Meet Lucy and Ziggy, the resident turkey vultures here at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery! 🦅Both vultures were unfort...
09/06/2025

🦅Meet Lucy and Ziggy, the resident turkey vultures here at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery! 🦅

Both vultures were unfortunately injured in the wild due to unknown causes and cannot be released back into the wild.
Lucy arrived at the museum in May of 2021 after an injury to her left wing, while Ziggy arrived in February of 2024 with an injury to her right wing!

Turkey vultures are social birds and with Lucy living alone, keepers decided it was in her best interest to find her a companion. Lucy and Ziggy enjoy sharing their space with each other, so much so, they sleep next to each other at night! Lucy tends to be very nosy and always wants to be involved when keepers are cleaning her habitat. She also enjoys coming out of the habitat, getting head scratches, hopping around the museum, and even doing BTS for visitors!

Ziggy tends to be on the shy side, but Lucy is really helping her come out of her shell! When keepers interact with Lucy, Ziggy keeps a very close eye on Lucy and sometimes decides she wants to be part of the fun. Ziggy loves sunning herself in the skylight, following Lucy around, and shredding anything and everything!

You are surely in for a treat when visiting Lucy and Ziggy. You can purchase a Conservation Conversation to meet Lucy up close or symbolically adopt Lucy. Proceeds from both go directly towards their care!

📸: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

🤔Did you know? The United States is home to two federally protected native species of vultures! Both turkey and black vu...
09/06/2025

🤔Did you know? The United States is home to two federally protected native species of vultures! Both turkey and black vultures call the United States their home and play a very important role, as nature’s clean up crew! 🌎

Vultures almost exclusively eat carrion! They may feed on a wide variety of animal carcasses ranging from washed up fish to livestock! Some have even been observed snacking on washed-up whales! Equipped with a bald head, excellent sense of smell and eyesight, and the strongest stomach acid in the animal kingdom, vultures are the ultimate scavengers! Their stomach acid can withstand many diseases and poisons such as botulism and anthrax! Thanks to vultures, they are able to sterilize the food they consume and prevent the spread of diseases to other animals and humans! Next time you see a vulture in the sky, make sure to thank it from afar!

📸Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

🦅✨ Happy International Vulture Awareness Day from Lucy & Ziggy, our turkey vulture ambassadors here at the Boonshoft Mus...
09/06/2025

🦅✨ Happy International Vulture Awareness Day from Lucy & Ziggy, our turkey vulture ambassadors here at the Boonshoft Museum!

Celebrated on the first Saturday of September, IVAD raises awareness about the vital role vultures play in ecosystems and the threats they face around the globe. These incredible scavengers help keep environments clean and healthy—and today, we’re celebrating them!

Join us all day long for vulture fun:

📚 Storytime with Lucy the Turkey Vulture – 11:00 AM & 3:30 PM on the Vet Stage

🎨 Crafts & Games – 9:00 AM–3:30 PM in the Zoo

🛍️ Vulture Swag for a Cause – T-shirts, stickers, vulture-made paintings, signed Unhuggables books & more! A portion of proceeds supports vulture conservation at VulPro.

🎟️ Special Giveaway – Adopt Lucy during September and you’ll be entered to win a Conservation Conversation with our celebrity ambassador herself! 🖤

🌍 Want to help vultures right here in Dayton? Say no to rodent poisons and baits—scavengers and predators like vultures, hawks, and owls may eat poisoned rodents, which can be fatal.
We have also included the African vultures that are protected by the Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) organization, as well as the primary threats to vultures, and some fun facts about them.
Learn more about vultures and why they matter: vultureday.org

📷: Reese Miller, Animal Keeper & Mindy Huegel, Marketing Coordinator

Sweet Kevin enjoying a sand cat nap 😺💤📷: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper
09/05/2025

Sweet Kevin enjoying a sand cat nap 😺💤

📷: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

🌍✨ Happy International Day of Charity! ✨🌍Today we celebrate the power of giving! Every donation—big or small—helps us co...
09/05/2025

🌍✨ Happy International Day of Charity! ✨🌍

Today we celebrate the power of giving! Every donation—big or small—helps us continue sharing the wonder of science, nature, and discovery with our community. 💙

At the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery and SunWatch Village, your generosity fuels programs that make a lasting impact:

🐾 Adopt an Animal – Adopting an Animal is a great way to support the animals you care about in our Discovery Zoo. Proceeds from each adoption go directly toward animal care, enrichment, and education programs.

🌿 Conservation Conversations – This once-in-a-lifetime experience will allow you to meet an animal, hear personalized stores about their care and training, and walk away with a keepsake and knowledge of how to save species.
In addition, 10% of each purchase will go to local and global conservation organizations.

🏺 Curators Club – Preserve history, culture, and science through exclusive behind-the-scenes opportunities that keep our collections thriving.

Your support ensures that the magic of discovery continues for families today and for generations to come. ✨

➡️ Ready to make a difference? Visit boonshoft.orh/support to give back today!

⚠️Kevin reporting for duty… murder mittens locked, loaded, and lethally adorable. 🐾🤔Did you know Sand Cats have thick fu...
09/04/2025

⚠️Kevin reporting for duty… murder mittens locked, loaded, and lethally adorable. 🐾

🤔Did you know Sand Cats have thick fur on their paws to protect them from the scorching desert sand and help them move silently while hunting?

📷: Sophia Blessing, Animal Keeper

🐾💛Before he rolled into our hearts here at the Boonshoft, baby Banjo the nine-banded armadillo was busy snuggling with...
09/04/2025

🐾💛

Before he rolled into our hearts here at the Boonshoft, baby Banjo the nine-banded armadillo was busy snuggling with his sibling at the Pittsburgh Zoo. (Banjo is the one pictured at the top! 🛡️✨)

Fun fact: armadillos are actually soft and squishy when they’re born—their protective armor only hardens as they grow. That made Banjo’s early snuggles even sweeter! 🥰

We love seeing how far this little guy has come—and we can’t wait for you to watch him grow with us here at the Boonshoft! 🌟

📷: Pittsburgh Zoo

✨What a successful day of staff training today!✨Teamwork makes the dream work.💪We hit pause on our day-to-day to level u...
09/03/2025

✨What a successful day of staff training today!✨
Teamwork makes the dream work.💪

We hit pause on our day-to-day to level up as a team! From learning what each department does to discovering how we all play a part in creating an amazing and positive guest experience.
Today was all about growing!🌱

Thank you for your patience while we were closed and we're sorry for the inconvenience.
😁We cannot wait to see your smiling faces when we reopen tomorrow at 9AM!

✏️HOMESCHOOL DAYS AT THE BOONSHOFT!✏️Join us every second Monday each month for our homeschool days! Jump into a fun, in...
09/03/2025

✏️HOMESCHOOL DAYS AT THE BOONSHOFT!✏️

Join us every second Monday each month for our homeschool days!

Jump into a fun, interactive program where you learn with STEM based programs aligned for grades K-8. We even have self-led hands on activities for Pre-K and younger available most days.

Learn about anything from:
⚛The Scientific Method or Chemistry
🦕Archeology or Paleontology
🔭Astronomy
and so much more.

Registration and prepayment are mandatory for this program so book your spot ASAP and step into a world of educational fun!

For more information on the program and how to register, visit: https://boonshoft.org/education/homeschool-days/

🍎TODDLER TIME AT THE BOONSHOFT!🍎Join us for our Toddler Time workshops here at the Boonshoft Museum! These workshops are...
09/03/2025

🍎TODDLER TIME AT THE BOONSHOFT!🍎

Join us for our Toddler Time workshops here at the Boonshoft Museum! These workshops are intended for families with children ages 0 to 3 years to engage in developmentally appropriate, intentional play with STEM concepts.

Each month will focus around a different theme:
🚧September - Kiddie Construction
🚜October - Little Farmers
🥕November - Staying Healthy

Registration and prepayment are required for these workshops so get your spot ASAP and enjoy some family friendly fun!

For more information for each workshop and for registration, visit: https://boonshoft.org/education/toddlertime/

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery will be closed today, September 3rd for our annual staff training. This day allows our...
09/03/2025

The Boonshoft Museum of Discovery will be closed today, September 3rd for our annual staff training. This day allows our team to learn, grow, and prepare to make your visits even more amazing! 💡🌟

We’ll be back open tomorrow at 9:00 AM, ready to welcome you for a day full of science, discovery, and fun. 🦉🔭

Thank you for your understanding and support! 💛

Address

2600 Deweese Parkway
Dayton, OH
45414

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+19372757431

Website

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The Boonshoft Museum is the Dayton region’s science center, children’s museum, natural history museum, planetarium, observatory and zoo! It provides critical STEM learning opportunities for nearly 200,000 visitors of all ages each year through permanent and traveling exhibitions, educational programs, special events, day camps, and more.