- Immersive exhibit and traveling HIVE experience will empower young Ohioans to build healthier futures through the science of prevention and recovery
- Launch event brought statewide leaders to COSI for a ceremonial groundbreaking and 88-county lighting ceremony
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Nov. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Center of Science and Industry (COSI) and Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson today announced a $5 million grant from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to create Signals of Hope, a new exhibit and statewide traveling experience exploring the science of prevention, healthy choices, and recovery. The initiative will pair an immersive exhibit at COSI with a roadshow through The HIVE (Human Innovation Experience), extending its educational reach into communities across all 88 Ohio counties.
The grant to COSI is the largest individual award within a $90 million allotment that the Ohio Attorney General’s Office will invest statewide to advance addiction prevention, expand access to treatment, and support long-term recovery. Through Signals of Hope, COSI will bring its expertise in hands-on science education to this effort, helping young people build an early understanding of addiction and the choices and support systems that can help protect their health.
The exhibit at COSI, which will be housed inside of LIFE, will help young people and families understand how the brain processes pain, how addiction can develop, and how treatment and supportive relationships can contribute to recovery. Interactive experiences will connect that science with lessons in medication safety, healthy coping, and seeking help from trusted adults, giving families a foundation for conversations about substance use and well-being.
COSI and the Attorney General’s Office marked the initiative’s launch on Monday, November 9, 2026, with an event at COSI featuring remarks, a ceremonial groundbreaking, and a coordinated lighting of 88 county globes representing the program’s statewide reach.
“Every young person deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, pursue their dreams and build a future full of possibilities,” said Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson. “We know addiction can change the course of a life and impact entire families, which is why prevention and education matter so much. Through this partnership with COSI, we’re giving young Ohioans the knowledge and tools to make healthy choices, while reminding them that help is available, recovery is possible and their future is worth fighting for.”
An Immersive Journey Through the Science of Hope
Planned as a 10-year exhibition, Signals of Hope will guide visitors through five interconnected areas exploring how the brain works, how people can protect their health, and how communities support prevention and recovery:
- Pain and the Brain: Explore how pain signals travel through the body and how the brain responds, including the role of opioid receptors.
- Make Safe Choices: Discover practical lessons in medication safety, including reading labels, safe storage and disposal, and seeking guidance from a trusted adult.
- Build Your Protective Factors: Learn how healthy coping skills, trusted relationships, school connections, and positive activities can help young people manage challenges and find support.
- Recovery Works: Explore recovery pathways and the role of treatment, relationships, and community support in helping people rebuild their health and lives.
- Careers That Strengthen Ohio: Discover careers in prevention, treatment, recovery, pharmacy, and public health, connecting personal interests with opportunities to serve others.
“The Ohio Attorney General’s Office is doing important work to address addiction and support Ohio families, and we are honored to be chosen as a partner in that effort. As a life scientist with a research focus on public health related matters, I could not be more proud of this collaboration,” said Dr. Frederic Bertley, President & CEO of COSI. “Through Signals of Hope, we will help families understand the science behind addiction and recovery – and how that knowledge can inform their choices and encourage them to seek support and prioritize their wellness. We want young people to leave with greater compassion for others and confidence that their futures hold extraordinary possibilities.”
Taking Signals of Hope Across Ohio
The statewide roadshow will extend the exhibit’s themes through five movable modules delivered through The HIVE, COSI’s initiative connecting students with real-world career pathways through immersive, hands-on experiences. The traveling format will bring the exhibit’s interactive learning directly into local communities, expanding access for students and families who may not visit COSI in Columbus.
Building on The HIVE’s focus on confidence, skills, and career exploration, Signals of Hope will introduce young people to careers that support prevention and recovery, from pharmacy and public health to treatment and community services. Students will explore how their interests could lead to work helping people and families in their own communities.
“The future of museums combines an inspiring flagship destination with a commitment to reaching people where they live,” said Dr. Bertley. “Through HIVE, we’re bringing COSI directly into communities across Ohio, extending the reach of experiences like Signals of Hope to maximize statewide education and impact.”
A Statewide Launch at COSI
The November 9 program featured representatives from all 88 counties who participated alongside leaders in education, behavioral health, prevention, and recovery. The program included a youth recovery perspective, remarks from Wilson and COSI leadership, and a ceremonial groundbreaking. At the event’s close, county globes illuminated together, symbolizing the initiative’s reach across Ohio and the communities it will serve.
For more information on COSI, visit www.cosi.org. For high-res imagery and video, click here.
About COSI
COSI, ranked “#1 Science Museum in the Country” six of the last seven years as voted by USA TODAY’s 10Best, is an esteemed science center that has delighted Central Ohio with all things science for 60 years, inspiring interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) topics and delivering our experiential, “hands-on fun” brand of learning. COSI has been awarded 15 Emmy® Awards for its effective science communication television and video productions impacting science literacy for people of all ages. As a trusted educational resource for families, schools, and community partners, COSI is an essential element of our regional, national, and international communities, engaging millions of people annually through onsite, offsite, and online experiences. Learn more at www.cosi.org.
Media Contacts
Samantha Bryton
Griffin360
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Chad Thompson
COSI
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SOURCE COSI
