Discovery World
Inspire the Next Generation
Access to science education and STEM learning is even more important today, and that learning starts here at Discovery World. Our innovative programs allow us to reach more youth in our community than ever before. And, our organization has emerged stronger than ever.
With your support, we can continue to inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, innovators, and community leaders. Your gift will provide exciting experiences and programs for families throughout Milwaukee, the region, and the state of Wisconsin.
Inspire the Next Generation
Access to science education and STEM learning is even more important today, and that learning starts here at Discovery World. Our innovative programs allow us to reach more youth in our community than ever before. And, our organization has emerged stronger than ever.
With your support, we can continue to inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, innovators, and community leaders. Your gift will provide exciting experiences and programs for families throughout Milwaukee, the region, and the state of Wisconsin.
How to Give
Please download and print the donation form below and return with gift payment to:
Discovery World
Attn: Development Office
500 N Harbor Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Please contact us at 414.765.1978
Different Giving Opportunities
Our Discovery World Access Fund provides STEM educational opportunities for students, schools, families and campers – regardless of their financial resources. We are aiming to create the next STEM professionals of the future and can only do so when everyone is given an opportunity to learn and grow.
- $20 helps us give a day exploring to one child
- $40 helps us give a day of play to a child and adult
- $80 helps us give a day of fun and exploration to a family
- $125 helps us give a membership and a year’s worth of access to a family
- $355 helps us give a child one week of summer camp
- $1,000 helps us provide one classroom of students with a field trip, including transportation and an educational program
- $1,800 helps us provide two classrooms with a three-hour Lake Watch Expedition on the S/V Denis Sullivan
- $5,000 generously gives over 300 girls free admission to our annual Girls & STEM event
- $25,000 underwrites a free admission day for the community
Discovery World provides robust educational programming to schools and students in the state of Wisconsin and beyond. This includes onsite field trips, labs, theater shows, and more! In light of COVID-19, we are now offering Virtual Programs to students with activity kits and supplies. Our programs are often outside of school budgets so support from external parties is essential.
Support the creation and maintenance of Discovery World’s fantastic exhibits. While most exhibits have a life of five to seven years, exhibits involving water and significant mechanical operations need continual upkeep, modifications, and general TLC. To ensure that our exhibits remain operational, and to create new exhibits at the museum, we need your support.
The Innovator’s Circle is a giving society that recognizes individual donors who have made a gift of $1,000 or more to Discovery World per year. As champions for our mission, Innovator’s Circle members are invited to attend special members-only events as our thanks for your support.
The only re-creation of a 19th century three-masted Great Lakes schooner in the world, the S/V Denis Sullivan was built by nearly 1,000 dedicated volunteers who generously gave more than one million hours over five years to see their big vision become a breathtaking reality. The S/V Denis Sullivan embodies the sweat, souls, and spirit of citizens who labored to help build the first tall ship to take shape in Wisconsin during this century and was ultimately designated as Wisconsin’s Flagship.
Every time the S/V Denis Sullivan sails, she carries with her the pride of every volunteer, student, visitor, donor, and crew who has supported this remarkable endeavor. It is in large part because of our S/V Denis Sullivan volunteers and donor contributions that Discovery World’s mission of freshwater education has been made possible.
Steve Atwell was a vibrant presence at Discovery World, where he spent more than 14 years as the Director of Development. Inspired by Steve’s commitment to Discovery World and to Milwaukee youth, the Steve Atwell Memorial Youth Scholarship Endowment was created.
When fully funded, this endowment will ensure that young people in our community can continue in perpetuity to find enrichment and inspiration at Discovery World regardless of their financial status. The investment earnings from this endowment will give unrestricted and personalized access of our STEM programs, camps, research, labs, staff, and collaborative partners to our area’s youth.
Your compassionate gift, pledge, or estate gift commitment to our endowment will create a perpetual legacy of annual support for future generations of Wisconsin kids, families, and schools, such as:
- $1,500 provides $75 annually, the cost of a day’s admission for a family each year
- $3,300 provides $165 annually, the cost of one free Family Plus membership each year
- $7,100 provides $355 annually, the cost of one summer camp scholarship every summer
- $20,000 provides $1,000 annually, the cost of multiple annual field trips with transportation and an educational program for one classroom
- $36,000 provides $1,800 annually, the cost of a three-hour Lake Watch Expedition for two classrooms on the S/V Denis Sullivan each summer
- $100,000 provides $5,000 annually, the cost of admission so that over 300 local girls can attend our annual Girls & STEM event
Discovery World’s most vast and popular exhibit is the Reiman Aquarium. This exhibit is also the home to many wonderful, lively creatures that we have the great pleasure and privilege of taking care of day-after-day. Much like your household pet, these beautiful creatures need food, clean living spaces and care from veterinarians, and with so many creatures…the costs are high! Help us keep our animal friends fed, healthy, and living comfortably.
Contact Information
Elizabeth Braatz
Director of Major Gifts
414.765.8776
ebraatz@discoveryworld.org
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Membership pays for itself in just two visits!
Membership is the best (and most cost-saving way) for your family to enjoy fun and learning throughout the year!
With all of our memberships you’ll receive free admission, program discounts, special member-only events, and more!
- Free, Unlimited Daily Admission
- Discounts on Programs
- Advance Notice of Events and Programs
- Special Member Only Events
- Reciprocal Admission to Over 300 STEM Museums Worldwide
Getting Here
We are located on Milwaukee’s lakefront with easy access on and off of the expressway.
500 N Harbor DrMilwaukee, WI 53202 Get Directions
General Admission
| Adults | $20 |
| Child (3-17) | $16 |
| Child 2 & Under | $Free |
| Senior (60+) | $16 |
| College Student* | $14 |
| Military Active and Veterans* | $14 |
*Valid ID Required.
Prices are subject to change. Click HERE to buy tickets and for important information you need to know before visiting.
Current Hours
| Wednesday-Sunday: 9am-4pm | |
| Tues-Fri | - |
| Sat & Sun | - |
Getting Here
We are located on Milwaukee’s lakefront with easy access on and off of the expressway.
500 N Harbor DrMilwaukee, WI 53202 Get Directions
| Adults | $20 |
| Child (3-17) | $16 |
| Child 2 & Under | $Free |
| Senior (60+) | $16 |
| College Student* | $14 |
| Military Active and Veterans* | $14 |
| Military* Active Duty & Veterans | $14 |
*Valid ID Required.
Prices are subject to change. Click HERE to buy tickets and for important information you need to know before visiting.
Current Hours
| Wednesday-Sunday: 9am-4pm | |
| Tues-Fri | - |
| Sat & Sun | - |