Empire State Development Announces The Opening Of New “Science Stadium” Exhibit At The Buffalo Museum Of Science

Permanent Exhibit Combines the Thrill of Sports and the Power of STEM

Developed in Partnership with the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and Buffalo Bandits

State Support of $3 Million Project Boosts Regional Tourism and Drives the East Side’s Ongoing Revitalization

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Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the grand opening of the highly anticipated, $3 million Science Stadium interactive exhibit at the Buffalo Museum of Science (BMS). Developed in partnership with the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and Buffalo Bandits, the permanent exhibit brings the science behind professional sports to life. Designed as an immersive experience for visitors of all ages, the exhibit explores everything from on-field performance and sports medicine to athletic technology and the social science of fandom culture.

“Science Stadium is a celebration of Buffalo’s hometown teams, community pride, innovation, and the exciting connections between sports and STEM,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight. “The Museum of Science is one of many important neighborhood assets on Buffalo’s East Side that drives educational equity and community growth. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s dedicated commitment to local placemaking and regional revitalization, this project will not only boost Western New York tourism but also inspire the next generation of STEM leaders by connecting the sports they love with the science of tomorrow.”

“We are proud to open our first new permanent exhibit in nearly a decade and excited to share this uniquely Buffalo experience with the public,” said Gary Siddall, Buffalo Museum of Science President and CEO. “Made possible through collaboration with the Bills, Sabres, and Bandits, this one-of-a-kind gallery celebrates the powerful intersection of sports and science. Building on our recent momentum, Science Stadium signals a new era for the Museum, with a deeper investment in immersive, interactive experiences that can only happen here. Rooted in Buffalo’s rich sports culture, the new exhibit creates a place for our community to connect, explore, and be inspired together. We are profoundly grateful to Governor Hochul, the State of New York, and our other elected partners for their support and for recognizing the lasting value this new experience will bring to our community. We are equally thankful to our philanthropic partners and individual donors, whose generosity helped transform this vision into reality.”

The project was funded through extensive state support, including a $550,000 capital grant from the Western New Hork Regional Economic Development Council (WNYREDC). Additionally, the New York Power Authority awarded $562,322 in Western New York Power Proceeds funding to support the new exhibit. The Science Stadium also received support from NYS Senator Sean Ryan, NYS Senator April N.M. Baskin, NYS Assembly Majority Leader Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, M&T Bank Charitable Foundation, UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Riester Collins Family Foundation, National Fuel, James H. Cummings Foundation, East Hill Foundation, Give716, Cora E. Musial, PhD, MD, Buﬀalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski, and the Rotary Club of Kenmore.

New York Power Authority President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll said, “This new interactive exhibit connects STEM with Western New York’s famous sports culture, creating new engaging opportunities for learning. By providing funding toward community benefit projects like this, the Power Authority continues to support communities located near its statewide assets.”

M&T Charitable Foundation Regional Manager Don Elick said, “Buffalo has always rallied around its hometown teams, and Science Stadium transforms that shared passion into an experience that brings our community together in a new way. This exhibit is the result of strong partnerships that expand access to learning and discovery while celebrating the spirit and pride that define our region. We're proud to support the Buffalo Museum of Science as it continues to evolve, strengthen connections and leave a lasting impact on generations of visitors.”

Science Stadium marks the museum’s first brand-new permanent exhibit since 2018. The highly interactive space features 17 hands-on activities that explore the physical, technological, and medical dynamics of the sports world.

Key interactive highlights include:

The Sports Simulator: Visitors can test their skills in a state-of-the-art simulator to discover how physics, training, and technology shape athletic performance.
The Stats Center: An anchor desk that allows visitors to step into the spotlight and record their own highlight-reel sportscast.
Sports Medicine Lab: Guests can step into the shoes of a sports medic to evaluate and diagnose on-field injuries.
Mascot Design Studio: A creative hub where visitors can design their own custom mascot to bring team spirit to life.

In addition to the interactive displays, visitors to the museum, located at 1020 Humboldt Parkway, will have the unique opportunity to meet real-life STEM experts who power the sports industry. These “MVPs” (Most Valuable Professionals) include data analysts, engineers, medical specialists, and tech experts who will showcase how STEM careers drive action both on and off the field.

Buffalo Bills Vice President of Stadium Relations Penny Semaia said, “Football is the ultimate team sport. The Science Stadium exhibit shows that both science and football depend on teamwork, strategy, and planning. The Buffalo Bills are proud to partner with the Buffalo Museum of Science in working together to help families and young people discover the science behind football through fun, hands-on activities.”

Buffalo Sabres Vice President of Community Relations Rich Jureller said, “Hockey has always been about more than what happens on the ice. Through our partnership with the Buffalo Museum of Science, we're excited to help young people and families explore the science behind sport and discover new possibilities for learning. Science Stadium connects curiosity, teamwork, and innovation in a way that reflects the spirit of Buffalo and inspires future generations.”

Michael Freitas, MD, Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician said, “UBMD Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is very excited to partner with the Museum of Science for the Science Stadium exhibit. Buffalo is a sports town, and we are all familiar with how a strong team leads to success on the field. We were honored to help create content for this fun exhibit. We hope you enjoy experiencing it as much as we enjoyed creating it.”

Western New York REDC Co-Chairs Eric Reich and Steve Stoute said, “The Science Stadium exhibit represents the exact type of smart, community-anchored investment that drives regional economic vitality. By marrying Western New York’s deep passion for sports with interactive STEM education, the Buffalo Museum of Science has created a powerful new tourism magnet on the East Side. We are proud to support projects that not only celebrate our regional identity but also build a sustainable pipeline for our future workforce by showing young people that their career possibilities in science and tech are limitless.”

Located within MLK Park, the Buffalo Museum of Science also recently completed the restoration of its historic entrance, featuring a grand staircase and classical columns. This capital improvement was identified as a key placemaking component of the East Side Corridor Economic Development Fund, a $65 million initiative launched in 2019 to stabilize historic assets, strengthen walkable, mixed-use business districts, and expand opportunities for local small businesses. The revitalization of the museum aligns with broader efforts to improve MLK Park, the East Side’s largest public park and a cornerstone of the Fillmore Avenue Corridor. Complementary investments funded by the initiative include grants to the Olmsted Parks Conservancy for landscape and facility upgrades, alongside the ongoing restoration of the park's historic greenhouse complex.

City of Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan said, “Science Stadium builds on Buffalo’s love for our hometown teams to spark curiosity and introduce young people to the science, technology, and careers behind the games. Through engineering, technology, and sports medicine, this exhibit gives kids a hands-on introduction to the many people and skills that make professional sports possible. I thank the Buffalo Museum of Science, our State partners, and the Bills, Sabres, and Bandits for helping young people discover new interests and see where those interests could take them.”

Senator April N.M. Baskin said, “I’m proud to have secured $375,000 in state funding to help bring Science Stadium to life and to support an exhibit that will open young people’s minds to what their own futures can look like. By connecting the excitement of the Bills, Sabres, and Bandits with hands-on STEM learning, the Buffalo Museum of Science is helping kids see that science is all around them and that careers in medicine, engineering, technology, broadcasting, and so many other fields are within their reach. I’m excited to see this investment come to life here on Buffalo’s East Side and inspire generations of young people to explore, dream bigger, and imagine new possibilities for themselves.”

Assemblymember Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes said, “With the Buffalo Bills season just kicking off and the Sabres and Bandits seasons not far off, it is the perfect time for the opening of the new Science Stadium exhibit at the Buffalo Museum of Science. Science Stadium should pique the interest of every hardcore sports fan in this region, and every child who has an interest in STEM fields. Science Stadium is a wonderful addition to the museum, as well as to the community. I congratulate the Buffalo Museum of Science and its partners for putting this project together.”

Deputy County Executive Lisa M. Chimera said, “As a former teacher, I know how important it is to create opportunities that make learning exciting and engaging for young people. Science Stadium does exactly that by taking something so many kids and families already love, our hometown sports teams, and using it to spark curiosity about science, technology and future careers. I want to thank the Buffalo Museum of Science, the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, Buffalo Bandits, Empire State Development and all of the partners who helped bring this incredible new exhibit to life for students and families across our community.”

To learn more about the exhibit or to reserve museum admission, visit www.sciencebuff.org.

About Empire State Development

Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency, and promotes business growth, job creation, and greater economic opportunity throughout the state. With offices in each of the state’s 10 regions, ESD oversees the Regional Economic Development Councils, supports broadband equity through the ConnectALL office, and is growing the workforce of tomorrow through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development. The agency engages with emerging and next generation industries like clean energy and semiconductor manufacturing looking to grow in New York State, operates a network of assistance centers to help small businesses grow and succeed, and promotes the state’s world class tourism destinations through I LOVE NY. For more information, please visit esd.ny.gov, and connect with ESD on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

About the Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences
The Buffalo Society of Natural Sciences manages the Buffalo Museum of Science and Tifft Nature Preserve with a mission to inspire joyful exploration of science and nature through engaging experiences, unique resources, and exceptional staff. Located on Buffalo’s East Side, the Buffalo Museum of Science inspires multigenerational learning through interactive studios, rotating exhibits, and an extensive collection of more than 700,000 artifacts and specimens. Tifft Nature Preserve is a 264-acre urban wetland developed on reclaimed industrial land in South Buffalo. Serving as the Museum’s “living collection,” Tifft offers five miles of hiking trails free of charge year-round, alongside dedicated environmental education and stewardship programming. Learn more at sciencebuff.org and tifft.org.

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