COSI Partners with Slooh To Bring Robotic Telescope Access to Members

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Partnership gives COSI members free access to Slooh’s global telescope network, expanding hands-on space science education from Columbus to the cosmos

COLUMBUS, Ohio (April 14, 2026) — Slooh, the experiential space science platform that gives students and the public hands-on control of robotic telescopes and satellites around the world, today announced a partnership with the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) in Columbus, Ohio. Under the agreement, all COSI members will receive complimentary access to Slooh’s Observer membership tier, connecting them to a global network of telescopes spanning the Canary Islands, Chile, and Australia.

The partnership unites two organizations with a shared commitment to making science accessible. COSI, which has spent more than 60 years engaging, inspiring, and transforming lives and communities through hands-on science learning, will extend that mission beyond its walls through Slooh’s global telescope network.

Slooh has facilitated over 13.8 million astronomical missions and more than 20,000 submissions to the Minor Planet Center, engaging learners in over 300 schools and nearly 60 countries.

Through the partnership, COSI members will gain access to Slooh’s telescope network and educational platform, including self-directed learning activities called Quests that align with Next Generation Science Standards. COSI will also have the ability to integrate Slooh telescope access into its educational programming.

“The universe belongs to everyone, and this partnership with COSI brings that belief to life for families and students across Central Ohio and beyond. When a child in Columbus can point a telescope in the Canary Islands at the Orion Nebula and see it with their own eyes, that’s the kind of transformative experience that sparks a lifelong connection to wonder and science.”

— Dr. Emma Louden, President, Slooh

“At COSI, we believe science should feel personal, participatory, and within reach for every learner. This partnership with Slooh gives our members the chance to do more than simply learn about space. They can actively explore it, investigate it, and connect with the universe in a meaningful and memorable way.” 

— Chad Thompson, Chief Operating Officer, COSI

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About Slooh

Slooh is an experiential learning platform that provides students, educators, and the public with hands-on access to a global network of robotic telescopes. Used by more than 300 educators and  over 100 universities, Slooh aligns with K–12 Next Generation Science Standards and enables members to collect, analyze, and present scientific investigations using real-world instruments. Slooh’s community has contributed over 20,000 observations to the Minor Planet Center and captured more than 13.8 million images of celestial objects. Learn more at slooh.com.

About COSI

COSI, ranked "#1 Science Museum in the Country" for five years as voted by USA TODAY's 10Best, is an esteemed science center that has delighted Central Ohio with all things science for over 60 years, inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) topics and delivering our experiential, "hands-on fun" brand of learning. COSI has been awarded nine Emmys for its effective science communication television and video productions impacting science literacy for people of all ages. As a trusted educational resource for families, schools and community partners, COSI is an essential element of our regional, national and international communities, engaging millions of people annually through onsite, offsite and online experiences. Learn more at www.cosi.org.

Media Contact

Slooh: press@slooh.com

COSI: kwilliams@cosi.org