Otago Museum Trust Board chairman Graham Crombie told a community briefing meeting about moves to create a new overall ''centre for science engagement'' at the museum.
This included installing a ''digital immersive planetarium'', the redevelopment of Discovery World and the creation of a dedicated science communication team to staff the centre.
The redevelopment would provide ''an invaluable resource for Otago'', he said.
Organisers said the museum's popular Tropical Forest attraction would operate as usual, and the planetarium would be a separate attraction but with a similar entry charge.
Museum director Dr Ian Griffin said that the redeveloped facilities and planetarium would provide ''a major tourist attraction for Dunedin''.
Some parts of the Discovery World science centre needed rejuvenation, and the project would provide ''a much-needed upgrade'', he said.
Dr Griffin said $2,571,000 had already been raised towards the overall project, comprising $2.4 million from museum reserves, and funding from the Community Trust of Otago ($100,000); Dr Marjorie Barclay Trust's 2014 grant ($51,000), and the Dodd-Walls Centre ($20,000).
He was optimistic of raising the remaining $625,000 through community fundraising and sponsorship, and was also seeking support nationally.
Sir Peter Gluckman, chief science adviser to the Prime Minister, said the project would ''add much'' to Dunedin's ''cultural and intellectual attraction'' and he hoped it quickly gathered community support so that the underlying vision could be ''rapidly achieved''.
