Privacy Statement

The Science Museum of Minnesota is committed to our mission: Turn on the science: Inspire learning. Inform policy. Improve lives. We are also committed to protecting your privacy and data when you use smm.org or provide us with your personal information online or offline.

This Privacy Statement describes our current policies and practices related to information gathered from our constituents (visitors, Members, donors, customers, or anyone who provides us with personal information) online (via smm.org (the Site), our other web properties, social media, and advertising) and offline (via postal mail, telephone, fax, and in-person). Any third-party sites we link to on our Site are not covered under this Privacy Statement; please consult them for their applicable policies. The Science Museum is committed to following both the letter and the spirit of all laws governing its operations, including those pertaining to privacy and use of information.

Information We Collect

Non-Personal Information

  • IP address

  • General geographical area

  • Date and time you access smm.org

  • Pages you view on smm.org

  • Tracking cookies (which retrieve saved data from your last visit to smm.org)

We collect non-personal information to make smm.org easier to use and tailored to the people who visit it. This information is aggregated, which means that none of the data can be linked back to an individual or identify an individual. This information may be provided to third parties (or come from third parties) and it will never be used to contact you personally.

The Science Museum uses Google Analytics, Mouseflow, and Facebook Pixel to collect non-personal information on smm.org. Mouseflow only records a portion of visits and is used to improve usability. If you would like to opt-out of Google Analytics, please install the Google Analytics Opt-Out Browser Add-On. The Science Museum reserves the right to collect non-personal information via other digital means as it deems appropriate.

Personal Information

  • Name

  • Email address

  • Mailing address

  • Credit card or other financial information

  • Demographic information

  • Donor or Member status

The Science Museum collects personal information only when you voluntarily or knowingly provide it to us. Examples include purchasing an item on our website including an admission ticket, signing up for our newsletter or event, participating in a survey, becoming a Member or donor, or requesting any other type of communication from the Science Museum. Personal information can be used to contact you directly and can be used to ship products in the event you elect to purchase something from the online store. 

Upon request, the Science Museum does our best to provide access to our constituents’ unique identifier information (such as Member ID number), contact information, and a description of the information we maintain. If you would like access to your personal information, please contact us. 

We provide non-personal and personal information to our third-party vendors to the extent that is necessary to complete the services you have requested. Your information will not be used for any other purpose or redistributed. 

Cookies

Most web browsers are initially set up to accept cookies. The Science Museum currently uses cookies to store constituents' preferences and record session information such as items that consumers add to their online shopping carts. Cookies are also used to record page location to assist with navigation and menus on the Site. You can reset your web browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. Some features of the Site may not function if you delete or disable cookies.

Email and Newsletter Privacy and Subscription Status

The Science Museum of Minnesota does not share constituent email addresses with third parties and does not send unsolicited email. Email addresses provided to the Museum are used to send responses to questions and queries, provide purchase and registration confirmation, and communicate follow-up information. The Science Museum does not share its mailing or telephone lists with political candidates, parties, or campaign organizations.

By using the Site, you agree to receive electronic communications from the Science Museum, subject to applicable law. Constituents who receive email newsletters and updates may request to be removed from these lists at any time. Instructions on how to unsubscribe are provided in the emails you receive from the Science Museum.

Museum Photography

By visiting the Science Museum of Minnesota, each person (and all accompanying minors) grants permission to photograph, videotape, record, or otherwise reproduce their image and/or voice, without compensation, for the Science Museum's marketing or publicity purposes, including copying, distribution, digital sharing, and other uses. We do not use photos of minors on field trips or at the Museum without permission.

Donor Privacy

The Science Museum of Minnesota is firmly committed to protecting the privacy of our donors. We do not share our membership or donor information with any outside entities, except for companies that we must work with to conduct our business that must comply with our Privacy Statement or unless we are legally obligated to provide such information. Certain aggregate data, which does not identify specific donors or their personal information, may be shared with funders, government organizations, and other groups. 

Children’s Privacy

In compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, we do our best to protect the confidentiality, security and integrity of personal information collected from anyone, including a child under the age of 13. Further, the Museum makes appropriate efforts to delete any information we inadvertently collect from children under the age of 13 who visit our Site as soon as we gain knowledge of its existence. The only time the Museum knowingly collects personal information from parents/legal guardians about someone under the age of 13 is for summer camp registration. The information is only used for summer camp registration. If you learn or suspect that your child has provided personal information to the Science Museum that wasn’t for summer camps, please contact us. Additionally, the Museum would not require a child to disclose any information that is not reasonably necessary to participate in an activity. You, as a parent or legal guardian may:

  • Review your child’s personal information

  • Delete that information you do not wish collected

  • Refuse to allow further collection or use of the child’s information

  • Decline to allow use of the information to any third party unless it is needed for part of a service

  • Contact us to learn how to exercise these rights

Encryption

All data on the Site is encrypted by Cloudflare. Read Cloudflare’s full privacy policy for more information on encryption.

Acceptance of the Privacy Statement Terms

By using smm.org or providing your personal information to the Science Museum of Minnesota, you imply acceptance of our Privacy Statement. If you do not agree with the terms, please do not visit our website.

The Museum reserves the right to modify, update, and alter the terms of this Policy. The most current version of this Policy shall govern the Museum’s use of your information. By using the Museum’s Sites, you agree to be bound by the terms. If you have questions about the Privacy Statement, please contact us. 

Effective August 20, 2020