Missoula's hands-on science center dedicated to igniting passion for discovery through science.
Hours
spectrUM is open 10am to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday
Admission
spectrUM offers free admission for all
Group Visits
Groups of 10 or more people are encouraged to call in advance about their visit at 406-728-STEM
Current Exhibition: Light & Life
"Light and Life" explores the connections between electricity, living things, and our environment through hands-on problem-solving. Discover how circuits work, how the human body conducts electrical signals, and how we use infrared light to understand more about wildfires.
Discovery Bench Activities
From 2:00–6:00pm, Tuesday through Saturday, spectrUM leads hands-on science activities at the Discovery Bench in our museum. Activities are free and open to the public, and no registration is required. Monthly activity calendars are available in the museum.
Hands-on activities are selected based on weekly themes.
September 29 - October 3 Engineering Mania
October 6 - 10 World Space Week CLOSED October 9th for Big Night
October 13 - 17 National Earth Science Week
October 20 - 24 National Chemistry Week
October 27 - 31 Spooky Science
Meet a Scientist
spectrUM invites scientists and community leaders to be role models in our museum. You can drop in to meet these special guests at the Discovery Bench.
October 1 Chemistry Demo from Kristian Stipe 4-6pm
October 15 Role Model Kristian Stipe from 4-6pm
October 25 Various special guests at the Halloween Extravaganza 12-3pm
Special Activities
October 2 Earthquake Proof Houses 2-6pm
October 7 spectrUM's 19th Birthday Party! Celebrate with us by doing our favorite activities 2-6pm
October 16 Fossil Excavation 2-6pm
October 25 AUOR Halloween Extravaganza 12-3pm
October 30 Brains! 2-6pm
Location
Visit us on the 2nd floor of the Missoula Public Library at 455 East Main Street, Missoula, Montana. spectrUM has free, 2 hour parking in our building lot. spectrUM is also a stop on the #1 Mountain Line bus route, and is accessible by bike on the Riverfront trail through Kiwanis Park.
2026 Special Closure Dates
spectrUM is closed periodically throughout the year to refresh our exhibits, as well as on specific dates when the Missoula Public Library is closed. These dates in 2026 include:
New Year's Day: January 1
Library Training: May 14
Juneteenth: June 19
Independence Day: July 3 to 4
Exhibit Swap: August 31 to September 10
Library Training: November 3
Veterans Day: November 11
Thanksgiving: November 26 to 27
Christmas: December 24 to 25
New Year's Eve: December 31
spectrUM's AUOR Partners
Located within the Missoula Public Library complex, spectrUM shares space with 5 other All Under One Roof partners.
The Missoula Public Library aims to "Spark Curiosity. Make Connections. Thrive Together."
Families First aims to "Strengthen families through education, connection, play and partnership."
MCAT Missoula's Community Media Resource aims to "promote the spread of information and exchange of views, ideas, and opinions within the community of Missoula."
The UM Living Lab aims to "inspire children in science."
Missoula Community Radio (KFGM 101.5) aims to "create a medium for all community members to enrich and engage their community directly and freely by producing educational, socially just, culturally aware, and entertaining radio programming."
