Opening May 23, the traveling exhibition features a life-sized replica of a blue whale skeleton, along with other full-scale models, hands-on objects, and interactive experiences
ST. LOUIS, MO – February 18, 2026
The life story of the largest creatures on Earth will come alive at the Saint Louis Science Center as part of a new special exhibition: The Blue Whale Story. The exhibition runs from May 23, 2026, to January 10, 2027, and presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to stand alongside an ocean giant.
The Blue Whale Story, produced and circulated by the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Canada, is more than just a special exhibition; it’s rooted in real science and the tragic loss of nine endangered North Atlantic blue whales that became trapped in sea ice off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, in 2014. Although their passing represented a significant loss for an already vulnerable population, two of these whales were recovered and studied — giving ROM scientists the rare opportunity to examine the blue whale like never before. The exhibition invites families to discover the wonder of the blue whale while highlighting why protecting these gentle giants is essential to keeping our oceans healthy for future generations. Learn more about that recovery and view photos HERE.
“The Blue Whale Story reveals the immense scale, critical vulnerability, and majestic beauty of blue whales,” Science Center President and CEO Dr. Ray Vandiver notes. “Combining life-sized specimens, scientific discovery and interactive experiences, this exhibition allows our guests to gain a better understanding of these elusive ocean creatures up close and in person.”
Through the exhibition guests will have the chance to:
- Learn about “Blue” — a female blue whale recovered from the sea-ice tragedy — and view a life-sized replica of her skeleton that measures 80-feet long (about the size of a full tennis court or a standard semi-truck).
- View the world’s only full-scale blue whale heart model and compare it to the hearts of other animals.
- Take a photo inside a full-scale model of a blue whale jaw, while learning about their remarkable feeding behavior.
- Explore the Whale Sound Chamber to hear surround-sound whale calls, compare different whale songs and learn what they may be communicating.
- Play “License to Krill,” an exciting game of survival, where participants dodge dangerous obstacles and “dive deep” to capture and eat krill (the predominant part of the blue whale diet).
- Observe the visual progression of how whales evolved from a 4-legged, wolf-sized and deer-like mammal (Pakicetus) that lived on land 50 million years ago to the modern-day ocean giant.
- Discover how blue whales faced a devastating decline through commercial whaling in the 19th and 20th centuries but are recovering slowly through science and preservation efforts.
- Learn more about features within the exhibition at slsc.org/blue-whale.
Vandiver adds, “Traveling exhibitions like The Blue Whale Story are a great way for guests to explore more about the world around them, as well as the importance of continued learning and discovery. This experience is one of the ways the Science Center delivers the mission to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science.”
Tickets to The Blue Whale Story will go on sale to Science Center members on April 11 and everyone on April 18. Ticket prices are $8 for Science Center members; $16 for adults (ages 13-59); $12 for children (ages 5-12); $14 those ages 60 or older and military personnel; and $10 per person for groups of 10 or larger. Purchase tickets online at slsc.org, by phone at 314-289-4424 or in person at the Science Center box office.
The Science Center will host an advanced viewing of the exhibition, exclusively for members, on May 22. Information on this event and how to purchase tickets will be sent to members in the spring.
To better accommodate guests, this exhibition is presented in English and French and is accessible for those requiring mobility accommodations.
One of the nation’s only free, nonprofit science centers and featuring hundreds of interactive, hands-on experiences across ten galleries, the Saint Louis Science Center offers free admission to all guests and is open to the public Thursdays through Mondays. For more information on programs and events at the Science Center, please visit slsc.org or call 314-289-4400.
About the Saint Louis Science Center
The mission of the Saint Louis Science Center is to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science. Named a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate in 2016, America’s Best Free Museum by Newsweek in 2025, and one of America’s Best Science Museums by USA Today, the award-winning Science Center engages guests through on-site experiences, including hundreds of hands-on exhibits, the OMNIMAX® Theater, which is one of the only IMAX® Dome with Laser theaters in the world, and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, ranked among America’s Best Planetariums by USA Today. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center, please visit slsc.org.
About the Royal Ontario Museum
Opened in 1914, ROM (Royal Ontario Museum) showcases art, culture, and nature from around the world and across the ages. Today, ROM houses more than 18 million objects, from Egyptian mummies to contemporary sculpture, from meteorites to dinosaurs. ROM is the most visited museum in the country and one of the top ten museums in North America. It is also the country’s preeminent field research institute, with a diverse range of experts who help us understand the past, make sense of the present, and shape a shared future. Just as impressive is ROM’s facility — a striking combination of heritage architecture and contemporary, cutting-edge design, which marks the Museum as an iconic landmark and global cultural destination.
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