‘It’s been transformational’ | Buffalo Museum of Science cuts ribbon on Science Stadium

Science Stadium, the new Buffalo Museum of Science (BMS) exhibit created in partnership with the Buffalo Bills, Buffalo Sabres, and Buffalo Bandits, was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday – in a very Buffalonian way.

Members of the community gathered at the brand-new space for the first time to witness a non-traditional unveiling, where members of the three professional league organizations and other leaders on the project – including BMS president and CEO Gary Siddall – broke miniature folding tables inscribed with “Buffalo Museum of Science” in lieu of a traditional ribbon-cutting.

The celebration was just one of the countless ways Science Stadium intends to incorporate Buffalo’s passionate sports fandom into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education. 

“We honestly could not be more excited,” Siddall said. “A lot of effort goes into building a new exhibit, and having the franchise partners as part of this took it to a completely different level. … It’s been transformational, not just by way of the deliverable of the brand equity that we have, but working with the teams has just been incredible.” 

Featured speakers at the event included Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, representatives of Governor Kathy Hochul and Senator April N.M. Baskin, as well as representation from the Bills, Sabres, and Bandits. 

“To be here in this space, it's amazing,” said Rich Jureller, Buffalo Sabres vice president of community relations and president of the Buffalo Sabres Foundation. “I think they've done a wonderful job representing sports – not just our sports, but sports in general. I think the kids and adults who come through here are going to be blown away. I’m really proud to be associated with it and think they've done an amazing job.” 

The interactive spaces, which feature team signage from top to bottom, introduce visitors to all different angles of sports. Kids and adults and alike can learn the history of their favorite Buffalo sports teams, as well as explore various career paths in sports besides the athletes themselves, from sports analytics, strength and performance, athletic training, sports broadcasting, and much more.

“It's been magnificent to work with Gary, everybody from Buffalo Museum of Science, and my good friend Rich with the Sabres and Bandits,” said Penny Semaia, vice president of stadium relations for the Buffalo Bills. “Walking in here, I am now envisioning hundreds and hundreds of kids a day coming through and now experiencing what they're capable of. It’s really exciting.” 

Features in the exhibit include a design-your-own mascot experience, a play-by-play broadcasting simulator complete with an anchor desk, an interactive simulator, medic station, and even memorabilia from each of the three professional team partners. 

“There are so many elements to sports beyond just playing the games,” Jureller said. “For kids to come in and not only to see their favorite teams represented, but to learn some of the science that's behind it, to see some of the history and the equipment that's behind it, it will hopefully inspire them, and maybe it ends up being a career they want to follow.” 

And while Science Stadium will have an undeniable impact on the Buffalo and greater Western New York, uniting sports with STEM, the initiative also affirms the importance to the Bills, Sabres, and Bandits of giving back to the community. 

“I think it's really important to ensure that we, the Buffalo Bills, are continuing to be great community partners,” Semaia said. “And as a part of the community, we want to be great neighbors. And this gives us an opportunity to help expand our reach of showing the importance of education, the experiences that our community gets to have – especially right here on the East Side, where this historic institution is.”