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Our Story

A volcanic eruption blasts 40 feet into the air, splattering the sidewalk with effervescing lava. The eruption—a science experiment involving carbon dioxide, surface tension, and pressure —is met with peals of laughter and exclamations of delight from the on-looking, wide-eyed children. “Awesome! How does it work? Can we make it reach higher?!”

The purpose of Hands On! Discovery Center is to get all visitors asking these types of questions with wonder and excitement. As an all-ages science center, we want to demonstrate how exciting, fun, and fulfilling learning something new can be at any age!

Hands On! has been open since 1987 serving visitors with interactive exhibits and programming that inspires discovery and understanding of science and the arts. More than 70,000 guests from our region and across the globe visit each year, and it is our goal to keep them coming back for lasting memories!

As we grow, we want to reach new and existing residents and visitors, expand what we are able to offer the community and beyond, and become the premiere destination for visitors of all ages in Northeast Tennessee. Your gift will help us reach our goals!

What We Need & What You Get

It is our heartfelt goal that everyone can visit and experience Hands On! – no matter their income or circumstances.

What many people may not realize is that it takes a great deal to keep our doors open each day. Our utility bills alone average around $500 a week. Our dedicated staff works tirelessly to keep costs as low as possible and to be responsible stewards of every donor dollar. Still, some expenses—insurance, employee wages, utilities, and more—simply aren’t optional. And like everything else, the cost of creating and maintaining our exhibits continues to rise. To ensure every child and family can focus solely on having fun and creating memories, our exhibits must be expertly designed, safe, and durable enough to welcome thousands of curious hands each year.

The truth is, it costs more per visitor to operate the museum than we charge for general admission. Whenever we can, we provide reduced or even free entry to families who qualify, and each of these visits adds to the shortfall we work hard to bridge.

That’s why every donation truly matters. Your generosity helps cover essential operational costs, keeps admission prices low, and ensures we can continue offering reduced and free access to those who need it most.

Your support fuels our mission: to inspire discovery and understanding of science and the arts in a place where learning and fun go hand in hand. A child experiencing the thrill of hands-on learning is taking the very first step toward a love of life-long learning.

An investment in Hands On! is an investment in our community – today, tomorrow, and for generations to come.

The Impact

Hands On! has become a cherished destination for families, friends, school groups, and community organizations alike. Each year, we welcome visitors from nearly all 50 states, along with school groups from a 40-county region across Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. Their visits ripple far beyond our walls – bringing meaningful economic impact to our community as families stop to enjoy local restaurants, explore other attractions, purchase gas, or stay overnight.

While economic impact is important, we are more so much more than that. This institution is woven into the story of what it means to grow up in this region. For nearly 40 years, we’ve held a special place in the childhood memories of thousands of individuals. Today, those former children are returning as parents, sharing the same spark of wonder with their own kids. While our exhibits have evolved and our location has changed, a few beloved favorites remain—and the joy, curiosity, and excitement that come with a visit to Hands On! are still felt every single day.

Helping us sustain and grow so we can continue serving new generations is one of the greatest tributes anyone can make to this legacy. The families of this region deserve a place where curiosity is celebrated, imagination is encouraged, and lifelong memories are made.

They deserve a Hands On! Discovery Center.