Buffalo Museum of Science scores big time with new 'Stadium Science' exhibit

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Gary Siddall had an inkling that the newest exhibit to open in the Buffalo Museum of Science might be a hit.

But even Siddall - the museum's president and CEO - has been taken aback by the response to "Science Stadium" exhibit that made its debut earlier this fall.

The exhibit marries sports with science, technology, medicine and math.

Year-over-year attendance is up atleast 25%, Siddall said,

That translates to at least 3,000 new attendees.

"This is just gravy," Siddall said.

On average, the museum attracts 110,000 visitors annually.

Science Stadium is the first new, permanent exhibit added to the museum since 2018.

"You don't spend $3 million just to tear down an exhibit after three months," Siddall said.

The exhibit cost $3 million to develop with support coming from Pegula Sports & Entertainment - owners of the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bandits.

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes also secured state dollars to underwrite the exhibit.

"It has not failed to deliver," Siddall said.

The exhibit has 17 immersive sports and science related "experiences."

Among them: A sports simulator that shows has physics, training and technology work together, decibel levels and sitting at anchor's desk.

It is designed to be interactive, Siddall said.

"We encourage that," Siddall said. "I don't want this to be the type of museum where you have to keep your hands by your side."

This has been a busy year for the museum with its ties into NASA'S Artemis II flight to people using its Kellogg Observatory. for star gaving.

The Science Stadium exhibit is turning into a magnet that is drawing more people to the museum and more repeat visitors too, Siddall said.

"People are realizing we have some cool things in here that are older than Josh Allen," Siddall said. "We used to say that dinosaurs and astronauts were our big draw. Now, we have to add sports into that equation."