The Museum as a Platform: COSI’s Blueprint for Global Strategic Influence

COLUMBUS, OH – August 11, 2026

The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) announced two more Emmy® Awards today, bringing its impressive total to 15. While the golden statuettes are a testament to the quality of its media production, to see them as the main story is to miss the far more significant development. These awards are not the goal; they are lagging indicators of a masterclass in strategic repositioning. Under the leadership of President & CEO Dr. Frederic Bertley, the Columbus-based institution is executing a quiet but radical pivot, transforming the very definition of a museum from a physical destination into a distributed platform for global influence.

COSI’s strategy is a case study in how legacy institutions can navigate the flows of the 21st century—not just capital, but innovation, influence, and access. By deconstructing its own walls, COSI is building a resilient and far-reaching network that other organizations, from universities to cultural centers, would be wise to study. The strategic rationale is clear: in an era of boundless digital content, relevance is a function of reach, and impact is a function of accessibility.

Deconstructing the Emmy-Winning Formula

The engine of COSI’s media success is its animated series, “Dr. B in 3,” which now accounts for 10 of the organization's 15 Emmys. The series, which explains complex scientific topics in three-minute, culturally relevant segments, is a triumph of strategic design. The latest wins—for episodes on “The Price of Progress” and “Text Messaging 101”—reveal a deliberate focus on topics that intersect with business, technology, and daily life, broadening the appeal of science beyond the purely academic.

The series’ success isn’t accidental. It’s built on a formula that understands the modern media landscape. By blending Dr. Bertley's charismatic communication with slick animation and hip-hop sound design, “Dr. B in 3” is engineered to compete for attention on platforms like YouTube. It doesn't just educate; it entertains and engages. This is a crucial distinction. COSI isn't simply putting lectures online; it's creating content designed to thrive in a crowded digital ecosystem, effectively meeting audiences “where they live, learn, and lounge.” The three-minute format is a direct nod to shrinking attention spans, delivering a potent dose of knowledge that is both digestible and shareable, turning viewers into evangelists.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor,” said Dr. Bertley in a statement. “These awards affirm that meaningful science learning can happen anywhere, whether someone discovers it in our exhibits, in a classroom, or on a phone.” This statement is not just a humble acceptance; it is a declaration of the institution's core strategy.

From Physical Footprint to Global Network

The most powerful expression of COSI’s platform strategy is its ability to pair digital content with tangible, physical experiences. The prime example is the Learning Lunchbox program. Since 2020, COSI has distributed nearly 425,000 hands-on STEAM kits to students in over 40 states and seven countries. This is not just philanthropy; it is a logistical and strategic masterstroke.

These kits are far more than boxes of materials. They are physical nodes in COSI’s distributed network. Many kits integrate the “Dr. B in 3” series directly, with some even containing a “Digital STEAM Portal”—a pre-loaded mobile video player. This hybrid model is the secret sauce. It solves the “last mile” problem of digital education by providing a tactile, engaging experience that a screen alone cannot, while simultaneously using that physical object to pull users into its digital ecosystem. Each box delivered to a home in rural Appalachia or a classroom in another country extends COSI’s influence and brand far beyond its Ohio headquarters, creating a direct-to-consumer relationship that most museums can only dream of.

This expansion of influence is a deliberate part of COSI’s mission. As Dr. Bertley noted, “We are constantly asking ourselves how we can reach more people, remove more barriers to science education, and inspire curiosity beyond the walls of our museum.” The Learning Lunchbox is a powerful, scalable answer to that question.

Forging Influence Through Strategic Alliances

A strategy this ambitious cannot be funded by museum admissions alone. COSI’s success is underwritten by a sophisticated network of strategic alliances that create symbiotic flows of capital and leverage. The institution has become adept at aligning its mission with the objectives of corporations, foundations, and even political bodies.

A key example is the Boeing-supported HIVE Roadshows, a mobile experience designed to connect students with STEAM careers. Boeing’s $550,000 investment is not a simple donation; it’s a strategic investment in its own future workforce. The roadshows are localized in communities where Boeing and its suppliers operate, creating a direct pipeline between COSI’s educational outreach and the company’s talent acquisition needs. COSI gains funding and national reach, while Boeing gains a powerful tool for workforce development.

Similarly, a $1 million grant from the applied science and technology firm Battelle supports a range of programs, from the COSI Science Festival to platforms for underrepresented students. This demonstrates a deep integration with the regional tech and corporate ecosystem. Furthermore, COSI’s advocacy for the bipartisan National STEM Week Act shows its ambition to shape policy at the federal level. By securing support from both sides of the aisle, COSI is positioning itself not just as an educational provider but as a national thought leader on STEM literacy, influencing the very framework in which science education is discussed and funded.

The Scientist-CEO as Strategic Asset

At the center of this web of influence is Dr. Frederic Bertley. An immunologist with a Ph.D. from McGill and postdoctoral experience at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Bertley provides a level of scientific credibility that is unimpeachable. But his true value to the organization is his role as a master communicator and chief evangelist.

By starring in the flagship “Dr. B in 3” series, he has made himself synonymous with the COSI brand, embodying its mission to make science accessible and exciting. He is both the strategic visionary in the boardroom and the charismatic face on the screen. This fusion of leadership and personal brand is a potent strategic asset, allowing COSI to project an image of authority and authenticity simultaneously.

Under his leadership, COSI has been consistently ranked as the #1 Science Museum in the nation by USA Today. This is not merely the result of better exhibits, but the outcome of a comprehensive strategy to redefine the institution's role. Every initiative, from a YouTube series to a hands-on kit, is a reflection of his vision to dismantle barriers and ignite curiosity. The model he has built demonstrates that the future of institutional influence lies not in hoarding knowledge within walls, but in creating and scaling networks that empower people everywhere.