Become a Member of the Discovery Center Community.
Becoming a member of the Discovery Center is more than just gaining access to a variety of exhibits and programs—it's an investment in your family's learning and growth. Membership offers you and your loved ones the opportunity to engage with hands-on educational experiences year-round, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a love for discovery. Additionally, as a member, you contribute to the Center's mission of providing inclusive, enriching experiences for all children, ensuring that the joy of exploration is accessible to every member of our community.
Please note: Discovery Center will begin charging $15 admission for ages 12 months and up beginning January 1, 2026. Please consider this change in your membership level selection.
Membership Benefits
- A full year of hands-on learning excitement with unlimited visits
- Discounts on camps, birthday parties, and facility rentals
- 10% off Gift Shop purchases (excludes food and drink)
- $5 off any guest admission
- Invitations to exclusive members-only events
- FREE admission to 350+ museums through the ASTC Travel Passport Program. (Restrictions Apply - Does not include Adventure Science Center)
Special Member Discounts
Discovery Center offers a 15% discount on memberships for the active/retired military as well as currently employed k-12th-grade classroom teachers*. To receive these discounts, please inquire at the front desk on your next visit.
*Teacher Discount Policy: Currently employed K – 12th-grade classroom teachers enjoy a 15% discount on their membership. Only teachers may receive this discount. Other school staff such as aides, cafeteria workers, and administrative staff are not eligible. The teacher must provide proof of current employment and position to receive the discount. Acceptable forms include:
- Current school staff ID showing their position
- Current pay stub showing their position
- Letter or email from school principal stating their current employment and position
Discovery Center Membership General FAQs
- Children love the open-ended self-directed learning experiences found in every corner of the Discovery Center. And with 30,000 sq. ft. of museum space and new exhibits each year, it’s a different experience at every visit!
- Members get free admission for a year and discounts on parties, camps, programs, and more.
- Membership fees also provide ongoing support for Discovery Center which benefits all families in our community!
Memberships can be purchased online on our website or at our front desk when you arrive.
- Yes, you can purchase general admission for the day and experience the museum before purchasing a membership. You can apply some of the admission towards the membership during your visit or over the phone within 72 hours of your visit. You must have your order number to apply the tickets to the order if you purchase after your visit.
- Applying general admission ticket value toward a membership is limited to the number of admissions allowed by your chosen membership plan.
We accept cash, debit card, credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or check.
- We offer a 15% discount on memberships for the active/retired military and currently employed K-12 teachers. To receive these discounts, please inquire at the front desk on your next visit.
- Teacher Discount Policy: Only teachers may receive this discount. Other school staff such as aides, cafeteria workers, and administrative staff are not eligible. Homeschool teachers are not able to receive the discount at this time. The teacher must provide proof of current employment and position to receive the discount. Acceptable forms include: current school staff ID, current pay stub, and letter or email from school principal stating their current employment and position.
Memberships may be considered 100% tax deductible to the extent allowed under Internal Revenue Service guidelines. You should consult your tax preparer with specific tax questions.
- You can begin using your membership the day it is purchased.
- If you purchase your membership online, you will receive a welcome email shortly after your purchase. If you purchase your membership at our front desk, you will receive a welcome email the following Monday. The email includes how to register your membership on our website to make reservations and purchases.
- Discovery Center offers digital membership cards through Cuseum. You will receive an email from Cuseum within 72 hours of activation with instructions on how to download the card and access the member portal. We offer physical cards upon request.
Memberships must be in the name of the adult. We do not offer memberships in the name of individuals age 17 and under.
Your membership is valid at the time of purchase and may be used immediately.
Your membership is valid for one year from the date of purchase. Members receive annual renewal notices via email when it is time to renew. Your expiration date is listed on your membership card.
We recommend bringing your membership card every visit so the check-in process is faster. If you do not have it, we can search by the name on the membership and verify by the address on file.
- Memberships are non-transferable and are meant to be used by your immediate family/household/guests.
- As a nonprofit organization, Discovery Center relies on membership and admission support to continue providing innovative exhibits, outstanding programs and fun learning opportunities for Middle Tennessee families. This policy is intended to prevent any misuse of memberships, which result in the loss of revenue for our community programs. Thank you for your understanding.
Yes, you are always welcome to upgrade your membership at any time. Your membership expiration date will not change.
We’re so sorry about that! Please email us and we can get it updated for you.
- You can update your information at the front desk during your next visit or call the front desk during operating hours.
- If you have accessed the Member Portal through Cuseum, you can update your contact information. We will receive an alert to the update and be able to update your information in our system.
Follow Discovery Center on Facebook and Instagram. Discovery Center sends monthly e-blasts for upcoming events. Members receive various updates and invitations through email throughout the year, so make sure your email address is updated in your membership information.
No, your membership is added on to the end of your existing membership. For example, if your membership expires in April 2024 and you renew in February 2024, the expiration date on your membership will be April of 2025.
Discovery Center memberships are non-transferable and non-refundable.
What benefits do members receive?
- All memberships receive the following benefits:
- Unlimited museum admission for the allotted number of guests according to your membership level
- Discounted tickets for additional guests ($4.00 off each ticket)
- Discounts on birthday parties, camp registrations, and special events
- 10% off merchandise in the gift shop (excluding food and drink)
- Invites to member only events throughout the year
- FREE admission to 350+ museums through the Association of Science and Technology Center’s Travel Passport Program. (Distance Restrictions Apply - Passport program does not include Adventure Science Center and Hands On! Tullahoma)
- See our Membership Benefits page for benefits specific to each level.
- For purchases at our front desk, give the staff the name on the membership and the discounts will automatically be applied to the purchase.
- For purchases online, make sure you have registered on our website using the email address attached to your membership. You must register with the primary member name and email address otherwise our system will not recognize your membership. The discounts will be applied at checkout.
ASTC stands for the Association of Science and Technology Centers. Discovery Center is a member of the ASTC networks.
- Discovery Center members have reciprocal admission privileges with other participating science and technology centers. Each institution has its own admissions policy, so call before you visit to get the details. Reciprocity extends only to general admission—it does not include free admission to additional attractions such as special exhibits, planetarium shows, simulator rides or giant-screen films. It also does not usually include museum store discounts. View a list of ASTC reciprocating facilities and learn more about the program.
- You must present valid Discovery Center membership cards with the ASTC logo.
- Please familiarize yourself with all the rules applying to reciprocity with the ASTC Passport Program before you purchase your membership. Organizations may change their participation in the reciprocity program. We do not offer refunds due to changes in reciprocity.
- NOTE: Per ASTC Travel Passport Restrictions, participating science centers must be 90 miles or further from both Discovery Center and the member's current residence in order to receive reciprocating benefits. Science centers in Nashville and Tullahoma do not qualify for Discovery Center members to receive free or reduced admission rates.
View a list of ASTC reciprocating facilities and learn more about the program.
ACM stands for the Association of Children’s Museum. Discovery Center is a member of the ACM network.
- Discovery Center members have reciprocal admission privileges with other participating science and technology centers. Each institution has its own admissions policy, so call before you visit to get the details. Reciprocity extends only to 50% off general admission—it does not include discounted admission to additional attractions such as special exhibits, planetarium shows, simulator rides or giant-screen films. It also does not usually include museum store discounts. View a list of ACM reciprocating facilities and learn more about the program.
- You must present valid Discovery Center membership cards with the ACM logo.
- Please familiarize yourself with all the rules applying to reciprocity with the ACM Passport Program before you purchase your membership. Organizations may change their participation in the reciprocity program. We do not offer refunds due to changes in reciprocity.
- All Discovery Center members have reciprocal admission privileges with ASTC museums outside the 90 mile radius.
- Deluxe and Sustaining members have reciprocal admission privileges with ASTC museums outside the 90 mile radius and ACM museums.
Children 15 years of age and under must be accompanied by an adult who is 18 years of age or older.
Discovery Center membership, coupons, and special offers do not apply to students coming on school group visits.
Digital Membership Card Program
Using a digital card gives you quick access to your membership benefits from your smartphone. It will help Discovery Center enhance check-in for our members and our goal to become more sustainable through less printing.
Discovery Center receives its digital cards from Cuseum. You will receive an email from membership@cuseum.com within 72 hours with instructions on how to download your card. Be sure to check your email’s spam and junk folders!
Access the email from your smartphone and click the “Download” button. Then tap “Add to Wallet” and select “Add.” The card will automatically go to your iPhone’s Apple Wallet. It can then be accessed in your phone’s “Wallet” app at any time.
- Android users need to download the Wallet Passes from Google Play. After you have the app, access the email from your smartphone and click “Download”. The card automatically goes to your Wallet Passes app, where it can be accessed at any time.
- We strongly encourage members to use Google Wallet as the primary digital wallet solution for Android, but will continue to help you in case you’d like to use an alternative Android wallet option, like Wallet by Wallet Union.
Feel free to reach out to our membership team at membership@explorethedcorg.dreamhosters.com and we can talk to you about options for physical cards.
- iOS users:
- Open your Digital Membership Card
- Tap on the 3 dot icon in the upper right corner of the card. If you don’t see this icon, make sure you are not accessing the card from your lock screen.
- Android - Wallet Passes users:
- Open your Digital Membership Card
- Tap on the “i” icon at the bottom right of the card.
- Android - GPay users:
- This format does not offer a back of the card. Instead, you will be able to see all the content on one side, by scrolling down to see additional information.
Open the digital card on your iPhone (the installed card).
- Go to the back of the card (to access the back of the card, tap on the button that looks like three dots inside of a circle)
- Then, tap on the sharing button (it looks like a square with an arrow pointing up)
- Once you tap this button, you will see the sharing options. We strongly suggest you tap on “Email”, so you can share the digital card to the Android phone via email.
- Google Wallet:
- Simply forward the email you received and ask them to click on “Download Membership Card > Add to Google Wallet” the same way you did (Google does not have a sharing option)
- Wallet Union:
- Open the Wallet Union app
- Tap on your digital card
- Tap on the three dots icon at the top right side of the screen
- Tap on “SHARE CARD”
- We recommend sharing via email, or Bluetooth
- After installing the card on your first device, you just need to enter the card on that phone and use the "Share" option that is located on the back of the card to distribute the pass to other members who are included in your membership plan.
- For iPhone users:
- Search for a three-dot icon "..." at the top right of your card.
- Once you tap on the icon, search for an icon that looks like an arrow over a square on the top right of your screen.
- You will see sharing options like Airdrop, Mail, etc... Use one of those options to share your card (we recommend you use the Mail option).
- Android users:
- Google Wallet: Simply forward the email you received and ask them to click on "Download Membership Card > Add to Google Wallet" the same way you did (Google does not have a sharing option).
- Wallet Union (NEW):
- Open the app and tap on the digital card you want to share (it will open the digital card in full screen mode if you have multiple cards from the same vendor)
- Tap the three dots icon at the top right side of the screen
- Tap on "SHARE CARD"
- Note: Android provides multiple sharing options. We recommend via email, or Bluetooth.
- Wallet Passes (no longer supported):
- Search for an "i" icon at the bottom of your card.
- Once you tap on this icon, you will see a button that says "share pass". Tap on this button.
- You will see sharing options like Mail, SMS, etc... Use one of those options to share your card (we recommend you use the Email option).
- Click on the link in the email. Enter your email in the sign in box and you will be sent a one-time sign in link. You can update your basic contact information, view your digital membership card, and view upcoming events.
No, you will not be able to make purchases or reservations through the Member Portal. Links are provided in the event information on where to purchase so be sure to register your membership here.
Gift Voucher FAQs
- Yes! You can purchase a membership for someone or a gift certificate to be used for a membership.
- If you purchase a membership, you must know all needed information such as mailing address/contact information for the recipient. The membership will start on the day of purchase and is not adjusted based on the recipient’s first visit.
- Purchasing a gift voucher for a membership is recommended to allow the membership to begin when the certificate is redeemed as opposed to when the gift membership is purchased. Click here to purchase a gift voucher.
- Either purchase is a fantastic way to give the gift of hands-on exploration! Your purchase also supports Discovery Center’s mission to engage curious minds to fuel the future.
Gift vouchers for memberships can be applied to any current membership price. Their full year of membership benefits will begin on the day they redeem their certificate.
- The easiest way to purchase a gift voucher for a membership is through our website. You can also purchase one by speaking to our front desk staff during your in-person visit.
- If you purchase online, please allow 72 hours for an email to be sent to either you and/or the intended recipient that includes a PDF of your gift voucher and a membership application. Once you receive the email, you can either print the voucher or save it to your computer and email it as an attachment to your intended recipient.
- Please allow 72 hours after purchase to receive an email confirmation. A staff member has to process all the online orders, enter into our registry system, and then send out emails.
- Check your spam folder in case the email is there.
- Email our Membership Coordinator to ensure the correct email address was included in the order.
- You can redeem your voucher during your next visit at the front desk. Please bring either a digital copy of the voucher and membership application filled out or have a digital copy of the email on your phone.
- If you do not have a physical or digital copy with you, the front desk staff may not be able to verify the purchase and start your membership.
Absolutely! Please have a physical or digital copy of your gift voucher available for our front desk staff to verify the purchase.
You absolutely can purchase a different membership level! You’ll just pay the difference between the two levels. For example: if you receive a gift voucher for a Discovery level ($120) but want a Deluxe level ($150), you’ll use your voucher and then pay the difference of $30.
We can still apply the discount when you redeem your voucher, and the balance on the gift voucher can be used towards a gift shop purchase.
MEMBERSHIP POLICIES
- A membership represents one household; adults from separate households must obtain separate memberships.
- Eligible Child: Children from ages 12 months to 17 years residing in the same household OR grandchildren of the primary member who are ages 12 months to 17 years.
- Memberships exclude school field studies and any other ticketed organized group visits for children.
- Discovery Center Memberships are non-transferable and non-refundable.
- Fees and benefits are subject to change without notice.
- Membership benefits are only valid during the term of the membership.
- Discovery Center reserves the right to refuse service and/or access to any individuals that disregard Discovery Center policies or are disrespectful of Discovery Center guests, staff, exhibits, or property.
- Memberships may be revoked for violation of Discovery Center policies.