Discovery Museum Inc

LUPE'S STORY

THE SCIENCENTER, ITHACA, NY PROPOSES LIFE ON THE EDGE, A 1,500SQ FT TRAVELING EXHIBITION TO ENGAGE MUSEUM GUESTS WITH SPACE, SPACE EXPLORATION, AND T

THE SCIENCENTER IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA (SMM) THE CHILDREN S CREATIVITY MUSEUM (CCM) AND OTHER PARTNERS IN THE NATIONAL INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION (NISE) NETWORK PROPOSES EXPLORE SCIENCE: DESTINATION MOON. THE PROJECT TEAM WILL CREATE A NEW TOOLKIT OF HANDS-ON STEM (SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATH) ACTIVITIES BASED ON NASA'S CONTINUING PURSUIT OF HUMAN EXPLORATION OF THE MOON AND A MOBILE APP THAT STARTS AT THE MOON AND LAUNCHES USERS TOWARDS MARS AND FARTHER OUT IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM EXTENDING LEARNING BEYOND MUSEUM WALLS. EXPANDING ON THE SUCCESSFUL EXPLORE SCIENCE SERIES FROM THE NISE NETWORK THE TOOLKIT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO 350 NISE NETWORK PARTNER SCIENCE CENTERS CHILDREN S MUSEUMS AND PLANETARIUMS. THE TOOLKIT WILL FEATURE UNIQUE NASA ASSETS AND CONTENT FOR MUSEUM VISITORS AND INFORMAL EDUCATORS WHILE THE APP WILL BRIDGE STEM ENGAGEMENT IN MUSEUMS TO LEARNING EXPERIENCES AT HOME THROUGH INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY GUIDES AND CUSTOMIZED CONNECTIONS TO NASA VISUALIZATIONS AND MISSION DATA FOR FAMILIES AND YOUTH IN GRADES 4-8. THIS PROJECT WILL REACH AN ESTIMATED 2.1 MILLION PEOPLE OVER THREE YEARS THROUGH A NATIONAL NETWORK ACTIVELY ENGAGING UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS AND WILL INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF AMERICAN EXPLORERS THROUGH NASA S PUSH TO EXPAND THE BOUNDARIES OF HUMAN PRESENCE IN SPACE. BY LEVERAGING NASA PEOPLE AND RESOURCES OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION RESEARCH VIRTUAL INSTITUTE AT NASA AMES RESEARCH CENTER THE SCIENTIFIC VISUALIZATION STUDIO AT NASA GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER AND COLLABORATORS WITHIN NASA HUMAN EXPLORATION AND OPERATIONS MISSION DIRECTORATE (HEOMD) AND SPACE AND TECHNOLOGY MISSION DIRECTORATE (STMD) THE PROJECT WILL INCORPORATE CONTENT VISUALIZATIONS AND OTHER UNIQUE NASA ASSETS THAT WILL SERVE TO HIGHLIGHT NEW SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN SPACE EXPLORATION. THE PROJECT HAS TARGET TWO AUDIENCES: 1) YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES ESPECIALLY STUDENTS IN GRADES 4-8 AND 2) MUSEUM EDUCATORS. THE PROJECT OBJECTIVES ARE TO: . PROVIDE ACCESS FOR YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO HIGH-QUALITY STEM EDUCATION RESOURCES WITH POWERFUL CONNECTIONS TO NASA THAT WILL INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF EXPLORERS. . ENGAGE MUSEUMS AS STRATEGIC PARTNERS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND TO STRENGTHEN STEM ECOSYSTEMS TO INCREASE THE IMPACT OF NASA STEM ENGAGEMENT INVESTMENTS. . ENGAGE GROUPS HISTORICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED AND UNDERSERVED IN STEM FIELDS THROUGH LOCAL MUSEUMS SUPPORTED BY A NATIONAL NETWORK OF INFORMAL EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS. DESTINATION MOON WILL USE EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN STRATEGIES TO REACH DIVERSE PUBLIC AUDIENCES AT 350 PARTNER MUSEUMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY BY DEVELOPING DISSEMINATING AND EVALUATING A TOOLKIT OF INQUIRY-BASED HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES FOR MUSEUM EDUCATORS AND A NEW DIY APP. THE OUTCOMES FOR THE PROJECT S TARGET AUDIENCES ARE: YOUTH AND FAMILIES STUDENTS IN GRADES 4-8: . INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF SPACE EXPLORATION SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. . BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF MAJOR ACTIVITIES AND MISSIONS WITHIN NASA HEOMD AND STMD. . INCREASED STEM LITERACY AND ENGAGEMENT WITH NASA-UNIQUE CONTENT MUSEUM EDUCATORS . INCREASED CAPACITY TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE STEM ENGAGEMENT WITH NASA-UNIQUE CONTENT THAT CAN BE TAILORED TO MULTIPLE AND DIVERSE AUDIENCES. . INCREASED CAPACITY TO SUPPORT LEARNING THAT EXTENDS BEYOND THE MUSEUM VISIT. DESTINATION MOON WILL INCREASE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF SPACE EXPLORATION BY CONNECTING TO CURRENT NASA HEOMD AND STMD ACTIVITIES AND MISSIONS WHILE BUILDING STEM LITERACY AND ENGAGEMENT AMONG THE PUBLIC SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO NASA S STRATEGIC GOAL TO EXTEND HUMAN PRESENCE DEEPER INTO SPACE AND TO THE MOON FOR SUSTAINABLE LONG-TERM EXPLORATION AND UTILIZATION.

BIOBUILDING: A TRAVELING EXHIBIT FOR FUTURE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT BIOBUILDING: A TRAVELING EXHIBIT FOR FUTURE BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS THE SCIENCENTER, CORNELL UNIVERSITY’S MEINIG SCHOOL OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING, AND SPECTRUM DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL DEVELOP A TRAVELING EXHIBITION ON BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING FOR SMALL TO MID-SIZED MUSEUMS NATIONALLY. THE 1,500 SQUARE-FOOT BILINGUAL (ENGLISH/SPANISH) EXHIBITION AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMS WILL USE HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO TARGET YOUTH AGES 6-12 AND THEIR FAMILIES TO FOSTER A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING AND THE INNOVATIVE WAYS IT IS USED TO ADDRESS ISSUES IN MEDICINE, PUBLIC HEALTH, AND HEALTH EQUITY. THE PROJECT WILL BE CO-DEVELOPED BY THE SCIENCENTER AND CORNELL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENTS, IMMERSING SCIENCENTER STAFF IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING CONTENT, WHILE STRENGTHENING GRADUATE STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE THEIR RESEARCH TO MUSEUM AUDIENCES. LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES 1) GENERATE KNOWLEDGE OF AND INTEREST IN BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING CAREERS AMONG RURAL YOUTH AGES 6-12 AND THEIR FAMILIES; 2) GENERATE INCREASED UNDERSTANDING WITHIN THE GENERAL PUBLIC OF HOW BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERS IMPROVE HEALTH; 3) ENCOURAGE GRADUATE STUDENTS TO CONTINUE TO CONNECT WITH MUSEUMS THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREERS AS A WAY TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC WITH IMPORTANT BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING CONTENT. SPECIFIC AIMS THIS PROJECT SUPPORTS THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH’S STRATEGY TO “ENHANCE THE TRAINING OF A WORKFORCE TO MEET THE NATION’S BIOMEDICAL, BEHAVIORAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH NEEDS” BY TARGETING YOUTH AND FAMILIES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES, COMMUNITIES THAT ARE OFTEN UNDERSERVED IN STEM. THIS PROJECT ALSO AIMS TO IMPROVE SCIENCE COMMUNICATION SKILLS AMONG PARTICIPATING CORNELL UNIVERSITY GRADUATE STUDENTS. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS THE PROJECT WILL USE EVIDENCE-BASED METHODS OF EXHIBIT DESIGN AND INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING TO CO-DEVELOP A TRAVELING EXHIBITION AND SUPPORTING PROGRAMS WITH SCIENCENTER STAFF AND CORNELL GRADUATE STUDENTS, WHICH WILL TOUR NATIONALLY. FRONT-END EVALUATION AND ITERATIVE PROTOTYPING WITH TARGET AUDIENCES WILL INFORM FRAMING AND ENTRY POINTS FOR BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING CONTENT. STANDARDIZED ACTIVITY GUIDES AND TAKE-HOME KITS WILL EXTEND LEARNING EXPERIENCES INTO THE CLASSROOM, COMMUNITY, AND HOMES OF VISITORS.

COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: GROUNDING INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERSHIPS IN STRUCTURES FOR BROADER IMPACTS DESIGN

HERE TO THE OCEAN, A NATIONALLY TRAVELING MUSEUM EXHIBITION

CONNECTICUT HAS A VERY PRODUCTIVE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY WHICH IS KEY TO THE ECONOMY OF OUR STATE. IT IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR STAT S MANUFACTURING SECTOR

THE SCIENCENTER, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL INFORMAL STEM EDUCATION NETWORK, PROPOSES A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR MUSEUM PRACTITIONERS IN SERVICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING. THIS THREE-YEAR PROJECT WILL ENGAGE 30 PAIRS OF MUSEUM PRACTITIONERS AND LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS IN SIX-MONTH PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITIES TO INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO PROVIDE RELEVANT FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN STEM FOR ALL AUDIENCES. MUSEUM-COMMUNITY PARTNER PAIRS WILL COLLABORATE WITHIN A COHORT OF THEIR PEERS TO PLAN, DEVELOP, AND IMPLEMENT EARLY STEM PROGRAMS WHILE GROWING A RECIPROCAL PARTNERSHIP. THIS PROJECT WILL BUILD FIELD-WIDE CAPACITY TO ADDRESS EARLY CHILDHOOD NEEDS BY STRENGTHENING LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS AND CONNECTING MUSEUMS WITH EFFECTIVE, EVIDENCE-BASED RESOURCES. ONLINE WORKSHOPS AND A DIGITAL TOOLKIT WILL BE MADE WIDELY AVAILABLE TO REACH ADDITIONAL PRACTITIONERS AND ENRICH EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FAMILY LEARNING ACROSS THE MUSEUM FIELD.

"IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN ALLIANCE OF MUSEUMS, THE ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN'S MUSEUMS, AND THE ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE-TECHNOLOGY CENTERS, THE SAN JOSE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WILL EXPAND THE SCOPE OF THE CULTURAL COMPETENCY LEARNING INSTITUTE (CCLI). LAUNCHED IN 2012, THE CCLI IS BOTH A PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AND A SET OF RESOURCES DESIGNED TO HELP MUSEUMS INCREASE THEIR INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY FOR ADDRESSING DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION. THE MUSEUM WILL INVITE 15-18 MUSEUMS TO JOIN THIS COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE, AND WILL DEVELOP, TRACK, PROMOTE, AND SUPPORT THEIR EFFORTS TO BECOME MORE ENGAGED WITH ISSUES OF INCLUSION AND CULTURAL COMPETENCE. THE PROJECT TEAM WILL DEVELOP BENCHMARKS, METRICS, AND INDICATORS TO GAUGE PROGRESS AND TO DOCUMENT SHIFTS IN MUSEUMS ACROSS DISCIPLINE BY CONDUCTING A FIELD-WIDE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE SURVEY. THE TRAINING MODEL INVITES AND SUPPORTS MUSEUMS TO IDENTIFY AND BUILD FROM THEIR STRENGTHS IN ORDER TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS OF DIVERSITY WITHIN THEIR WORKFORCE AND IMPROVE THE SERVICES OFFERED TO PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS."

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANTS - MUSEUMS

THE CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF SAN JOSE, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF CHILDREN?S MUSEUMS, THE ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTERS, AND GARIBAY GROUP, WILL DEVELOP AND DISSEMINATE A SUITE OF RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT INSTITUTION-WIDE EFFORTS BY MUSEUMS TO INCORPORATE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, ACCESS, AND INCLUSION (DEAI) PRACTICES INTO THEIR OPERATIONS IN EFFECTIVE, MANAGEABLE, AND ACTIONABLE WAYS. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEAI TOOLS SUCH AS INFOGRAPHICS, DIAGNOSTIC ASSESSMENTS, REFLECTION AND STRATEGY GUIDES, AND WEBINARS. RESOURCES WILL BE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE AND DISSEMINATED THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH NATIONAL AND REGIONAL MUSEUM ASSOCIATIONS. BY DEVELOPING NEW DEAI RESOURCES THAT SUPPORT CULTURALLY COMPETENT MUSEUM OPERATIONS, THE PROJECT WILL EMPOWER MUSEUMS TO SHIFT THEIR INTERNAL PRACTICES TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE AND EQUITABLE.

INVESTIGATING THE IMPACT OF HEAD START FAMILY INTERACTIONS ON CHILDREN?S STEM PROCESS SKILLS DURING FAMILY EVENTS AT TWO SCIENCE CENTERS

CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM (CDM) WILL FABRICATE THE LITTLE FARM HOUSE EXHIBIT (LFHE) FOR CHILDREN AGES 0?5 IN ORDER TO OFFER THEIR YOUNGEST VISITORS AGE-APPROPRIATE, HANDS-ON, STEM-FOCUSED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. SINCE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EARLY LEARNING ACTIVITIES IS IMPORTANT FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT AND LONG-TERM ACADEMIC SUCCESS, CHATTANOOGA 2.0?THE COMMUNITY?S INITIATIVE TO TRANSFORM PUBLIC EDUCATION-PLACES A HIGH PRIORITY ON IMPROVING BOTH ACCESS TO AND THE QUALITY OF EARLY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. THE MUSEUM WILL USE VARIOUS METHODOLOGIES FOR EVALUATION, INCLUDING TIME AND TRACKING, BEHAVIOR MAPPING, OBSERVATIONS USING AN OUTCOMES CHECKLIST, AND INTERVIEWS. TO GAIN CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK AND INPUT ON THE LFHE PROJECT, CDM LEVERAGES PARTNERSHIPS WITH MULTIPLE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND AN LFHE ADVISORY GROUP.

SCIENCENTER WILL DEVELOP A TOURING EXHIBITION, ENGINEER.DESIGN.BUILD, TO SPARK INTEREST AND BUILD CONFIDENCE IN STEM BY PROVIDING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ABOUT THE BROAD IMPACT ENGINEERS HAVE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIETY. THE MUSEUM WILL PARTNER WITH CORNELL UNIVERSITY'S COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING TO DEVELOP SCIENTIFIC CONTENT WHICH WILL BE REVIEWED BY AN ADVISORY BOARD OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE ACADEMIC, BUSINESS, AND INFORMAL SCIENCE EDUCATION SECTORS. PARTNERS FROM INFORMAL LEARNING INSTITUTIONS WILL PROVIDE EXPERTISE ON THE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT TO ENSURE THAT IT IS ACCESSIBLE AND ENGAGING FOR THE TARGET AUDIENCE OF 5-11 YEAR OLDS. THROUGH A COMBINATION OF FOCUS GROUPS, YOUTH/GUEST FEEDBACK DURING EXHIBITION DEVELOPMENT, AND EXPERTS IN GIRLS' ENGAGEMENT IN STEM ON THE ADVISORY BOARD, THE MUSEUM WILL ENSURE THAT THE EXHIBITION AND PROGRAMMING ARE DESIGNED TO APPEAL TO GIRLS, AND ACCESSIBLE TO ALL LEARNERS. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE FRONT-END, FORMATIVE, AND SUMMATIVE EVALUATION THROUGH OBSERVATIONS AND MEDIATED INTERVIEWS, COLLECTING DATA FROM YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND SCHOOL GROUPS.

THE SCIENCENTER WILL PARTNER WITH REGIONAL LIBRARIES TO EXPAND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO HANDS-ON STEM LEARNING BY LEVERAGING AND SUPPORTING PUBLIC LIBRARIES AS TRUSTED SPACES THAT OFFER RELEVANT AND ENGAGING EXPERIENCES. THE PROJECT TEAM WILL USE INPUT FROM PRIOR LIBRARY COLLABORATIONS AND LISTENING SESSIONS TO CO-CREATE STEM ACTIVITY KITS AND ESTABLISH A LEARNING COMMUNITY WITH LIBRARY EDUCATORS TO SUPPORT LOCALLY RELEVANT STEM LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT ADDRESS REGIONAL CHALLENGES. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE PROTOTYPING ACTIVITIES WITH MUSEUM AND LIBRARY VISITORS, DISSEMINATING KITS FOR AT-HOME AND LIBRARY LEARNING, AND A DEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION. AS A RESULT, THE MUSEUM WILL STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIPS TO REACH NEW AUDIENCES WITH A FOCUS ON RURAL COMMUNITIES AND LIBRARIES; REGIONAL LIBRARIES AND FAMILIES WILL INCREASE THEIR CAPACITY TO FACILITATE STEM LEARNING; AND CHILDREN WILL IMPROVE SCIENCE PROCESS SKILLS THROUGH INCREASED STEM LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT.

THE SCIENCENTER WILL ADDRESS ITS COMMUNITY’S NEED FOR OUTDOOR FAMILY LEARNING EXPERIENCES AND INCREASE ACCESS TO HANDS-ON STEM EDUCATION THROUGH THE CREATION OF FOUR OUTDOOR EXHIBIT AREAS. THE PROJECT TEAM WILL USE COMMUNITY INPUT TO DRIVE THE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE EXHIBIT AREAS, AND CREATE AND TEST PROTOTYPES WITH A FOCUS ON ACCESSIBLE PLAY-BASED ACTIVITIES TO ADDRESS LEARNING DECLINES RESULTING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCLUDE MEETING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND GATHERING INPUT TO DEFINE THE LEARNING GOALS, FABRICATING SELECTED COMPONENTS OF THE EXHIBITS, CONSULTING WITH ADVISORS AND ACCESSIBILITY EXPERTS AND TESTING PROTOTYPES, AND CONTINUING EVALUATION AFTER THE EXHIBITS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. AS A RESULT, THE MUSEUM’S ROLE AS A RELEVANT AND WELCOMING RESOURCE FOR SCIENCE LEARNING WILL BE EVIDENT, AND LOCAL CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WILL INCREASE THEIR SOCIAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE SCIENCE PROCESS.

THE BAY AREA DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL ADDRESS THE NEED FOR STEM EDUCATION BY DELIVERING ENGINEERING OUTREACH PROGRAMMING TO SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. THE MUSEUM'S MOBILE ENGINEERING LAB, TRY IT TRUCK, WILL INTRODUCE THE ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS TO STUDENTS AND TEACHERS IN GRADES K-5 WITH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES (BOTH ON AND OFF THE TRUCK) WHERE THEY CAN COLLABORATE, EXPERIMENT, AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS TO ENGINEERING CHALLENGES. THE TRY IT TRUCK WILL SERVE 21,600 CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND EDUCATORS THROUGHOUT THE BAY AREA, WITH AT LEAST 50 PERCENT OF ALL PARTICIPANTS COMING FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND TITLE I SCHOOLS. THE MUSEUM WILL WORK WITH AN EXTERNAL EVALUATOR TO DESIGN SURVEY INSTRUMENTS FOR BOTH FORMATIVE AND SUMMATIVE EVALUATION, ANALYZE SUMMATIVE EVALUATION DATA, AND PRODUCE A REPORT. MUSEUM STAFF WILL SHARE PROJECT RESULTS WITH COLLEAGUES AT NATIONAL AND STATEWIDE CONFERENCES.

21ST CENTURY MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM

THE CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL EXPAND ITS EARLY CHILDHOOD OUTREACH PROGRAM, GROWING STEAM POTENTIAL THROUGH THE POWER OF PLAY, TO FOUR NEW LOCATIONS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BLOOMINGTON AND NORMAL LIBRARIES AND THE ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY’S PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT, THE MUSEUM WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT HIGH-IMPACT, MULTI-INTERACTION PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENGAGE STUDENTS ALONG WITH THEIR FAMILIES AND TEACHERS, INCLUDING ACTIVITIES SUCH AS IN-CLASSROOM LESSONS, FIELD TRIPS, FAMILY FUN EVENTS AT PARTNER SITES, AND PRIVATE FAMILY NIGHTS AT THE MUSEUM. THE EXPANDED GROWING STEAM PROGRAM WILL ENHANCE AND SUPPORT FORMAL SCHOOL CURRICULA WITH INFORMAL LEARNING EXPERIENCES; INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR POSITIVE STEAM EXPERIENCES FOR AT-RISK YOUTH; PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES TO REINFORCE THEIR ROLE AS THEIR CHILD’S FIRST TEACHER; AND PROVIDE TEACHERS WITH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES TO EMPOWER THEM TO CONTINUE TEACHING HANDS-ON LEARNING IN FOUR NEW LOCATIONS.

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS IN STEM - A PROJECT OF THE SCIENCENTER AND PARTNERS DOWNTOWN ITHACA CHILDREN?S CENTER AND MY BROTHER?S KEEPER ITHACA - WILL EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL YOUTH FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS TO ENGAGE WITH SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH (STEM) THROUGH HANDS-ON PROGRAMMING. SCIENCENTER AND ITS PARTNERS WILL CO-DEVELOP RELEVANT, ACCESSIBLE, AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH AND DELIVER THE PROGRAMS AT THE MUSEUM AND AT PARTNER LOCATIONS. AS A RESULT OF THIS PROJECT, LOCAL YOUTH FROM LOW-INCOME HOUSEHOLDS WILL COME TO SEE SCIENCE AS A PROCESS FOR LEARNING ABOUT THE WORLD THROUGH EXPERIMENTATION AND EXPLORATION THAT IS RELEVANT TO THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.

CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL ESTABLISH A TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM DESIGNED TO MEET THE CAREER DEVELOPMENT NEEDS OF STAFF. THE PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE THREE TRAINING TRACKS THAT USE IN-PERSON, VIRTUAL, AND PRE-RECORDED FORMATS. THE THREE DIFFERENT TRACKS WILL FOCUS ON STAFF ORIENTATION, CUSTOMER SERVICE, AND SECURITY; JOB-SPECIFIC TRAININGS; AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND LEADERSHIP. PART-TIME STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN 40 HOURS OF TRAINING ANNUALLY, AND FULL-TIME STAFF WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN 80 HOURS OF TRAINING ANNUALLY. THE MUSEUM WILL HIRE A STAFF PERSON TO COORDINATE THE TRAINING PROGRAM. A STAFF ADVISORY COUNCIL WILL WORK WITH THE MUSEUM’S LEADERSHIP TEAM AND A CONSULTANT TO PLAN AND DEVELOP COURSES. OF THE CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM ACADEMY RESULTING FROM THIS PROJECT WILL PROVIDE A ROBUST EMPLOYEE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM TO HELP THE MUSEUM’S STAFF ACHIEVE THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT GOALS.

"THE SCIENCENTER DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS THAT WILL RESULT IN AN INSTITUTIONAL ROADMAP FOR DECISIONS AND ACTIONS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THE PROJECT WILL INTEGRATE ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING WITH PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AT ALL LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION. EXTERNAL CONSULTANTS WILL WORK WITH BOTH STAFF AND BOARD, AND ASSIST WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL ANALYSES THAT WILL INFORM THE RESULTING STRATEGIC PLAN. INTERNAL ASSESSMENTS, SITE VISITS, COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS, AND AN EXTERNAL ADVISORY GROUP OF MUSEUM PROFESSIONALS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY WILL BE EMPLOYED TO HELP IDENTIFY THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUILDING A STRONGER, MORE FOCUSED INSTITUTION. THE PROJECT WILL RESULT IN A FIVE-YEAR, RESPONSIVE STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK THAT WILL GUIDE ORGANIZATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS; A COMMUNICATION PLAN THAT WILL BE USED TO INFORM COMMUNITY MEMBERS, STAFF, AND BOARD OF KEY MILESTONES AND PROGRESS THROUGHOUT THE PLANNING PROCESS; AND NEW TOOLS SUCH AS INDIVIDUALIZED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR INCREASING STAFF CAPACITY AS PART OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS."

SCIENCENTER WILL USE A CO-DEVELOPMENT PROCESS TO STRENGTHEN RURAL ENGAGEMENT WITH HANDS-ON AND INQUIRY-BASED STEM FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN. THE MUSEUM WILL INITIATE THE PROJECT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MORAVIA CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AND GROTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. THE PROJECT TEAM WILL ALSO COLLABORATE WITH ADVISORS WHO HAVE EXPERTISE IN REACHING RURAL AUDIENCES. PROJECT ACTIVITIES WILL INCREASE THE MUSEUM'S UNDERSTANDING OF RURAL COMMUNITIES' NEEDS AROUND STEM. THE MUSEUM WILL WORK WITH ADDITIONAL RURAL PARTNERS TO DEVELOP ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS THAT MEET IDENTIFIED NEEDS. AN EXTERNAL EVALUATOR WILL TRACK PROJECT PROGRESS AND MEASURE RESULTS. THIS EVALUATOR WILL ALSO TRAIN THE MUSEUM'S STAFF ON DATA COLLECTION AND RECORDING METHODS. DATA ANALYSIS THROUGHOUT THE PROJECT WILL SUPPORT CHANGES IN PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES AS NEEDED.

THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A NEW PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES ONGOING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL STAFF AND EMPOWERS THEM TO ACHIEVE THEIR PROFESSIONAL GOALS. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THREE TYPES OF STAFF TRAINING INCLUDING PROVIDING BASIC SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TRAINING TO HELP STAFF PERFORM THEIR ROLES; MISSION-FOCUSED TRAINING TO HELP STAFF UNDERSTAND AND SEE THEIR ROLE AS IT RELATES TO THE MUSEUM’S MISSION, VALUES, AND STRATEGIC DIRECTION; AND DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR ALL MUSEUMS STAFF. THE PROJECT WILL GENERATE A SUSTAINABLE APPROACH TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL ENSURE STAFF HAVE THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND SUPPORT TO ACHIEVE THEIR INDIVIDUAL LEARNING AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS WHILE STRENGTHENING THE MUSEUM’S WORKPLACE CULTURE BY FULLY INTEGRATING LEARNING AND COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES INTO THE WORK EXPERIENCE.

THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS TO IMPROVE THE IMPACT OF ITS STEM PROGRAMMING BY STRENGTHENING STAFF SKILLS IN USING EVALUATION DATA. THE PROJECT WILL BEGIN WITH A SERIES OF TRAINING SESSIONS FOR LEARNING PROGRAMS STAFF BASED ON FEEDBACK FROM YOUTH REGARDING THE QUALITY OF THE MUSEUM'S PROGRAM DELIVERY AND AN ASSESSMENT OF STAFF COMPETENCIES IN POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. PARTICIPATING STAFF WILL BENEFIT FROM A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF DATA AND THE ABILITY TO BUILD ONGOING EVALUATION AND POSITIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES INTO THEIR PROGRAM PRESENTATIONS IN A WAY THAT SUPPORTS SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES. THE PROJECT WILL POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A PROCESS AND SET OF TOOLS TO QUANTIFY THE IMPACT OF STEM PROGRAMMING THAT CAN BE SHARED WITH OTHER INFORMAL LEARNING ORGANIZATIONS.

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

"THE DISCOVERY MUSEUMS WILL MODIFY OR REBUILD 10 POPULAR EXHIBITION COMPONENTS WITH A GOAL OF SERVING A LARGER AND MORE DIVERSE AUDIENCE. 'EXHIBITS FOR ALL: THE INCLUSION PROJECT' WILL BEGIN WITH AN ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT ACCESSIBILITY OF THE MUSEUM'S EXHIBITIONS, USING A COMBINATION OF OBSERVATION AND VISITOR SURVEYS TO DETERMINE BASELINE LEVELS OF ENGAGEMENT WITH AND INTEREST IN KEY EXHIBITION CONTENT. STAFF WILL SELECT THOSE EXHIBITIONS THAT PRESENT CHALLENGES TO ENGAGEMENT FOR VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES AND MODIFY OR REBUILD THEM TO MAXIMIZE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL ABILITIES TO ENGAGE WITH EXHIBITIONS INDEPENDENTLY, BUILD ESSENTIAL SKILLS, AND PLAY ALONGSIDE PEERS. THE MUSEUM WILL INVITE EXPERT ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORS TO REVIEW AND MEASURE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE WORK, PROVIDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR REMEDIATION AND CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT. SUCCESSFUL, COST-EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES FOR ACCESSIBILITY-BASED EXHIBITION REFURBISHMENT WILL BE DISSEMINATED AS A RESOURCE FOR OTHER SMALL AND MID-SIZED MUSEUMS THAT WISH TO IMPROVE THEIR INCLUSIVITY PROFILE BUT FACE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS."

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL DESIGN AND BUILD A NEW EXHIBIT EXPLORING THE SUBJECT OF CAUSE AND EFFECT, TARGETING CHILDREN AGES ZERO TO 12 AND THEIR ADULT COMPANIONS. INFORMED BY AN ADVISORY GROUP OF RESEARCHERS, MUSEUM STAFF WILL WORK WITH EXHIBIT DESIGN CONSULTANTS TO PROTOTYPE, DEVELOP, AND FABRICATE UP TO 10 INTERACTIVE, ACCESSIBLE EXHIBIT COMPONENTS, HIGHLIGHTING DIFFERENT TYPES OF CAUSAL RELATIONSHIPS. TO EXTEND THESE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO A BROADER AUDIENCE, THE MUSEUM WILL PARTNER WITH PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND CHILD-FOCUSED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH WILL HOST REPLICATED SUBSETS OF THE EXHIBIT AT THEIR SITES. THEY WILL JOINTLY DEVELOP SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITIES SUCH AS CHILDREN’S READING LISTS AND TAKE-HOME ACTIVITY KITS TO ALLOW VISITORS TO CONTINUE EXPLORING ON THEIR OWN. AN EXTERNAL EVALUATOR WILL ASSESS PROJECT OUTCOMES, WHICH WILL INCLUDE INCREASING PARTICIPANTS’ KNOWLEDGE ABOUT CAUSE AND EFFECT MECHANISMS AND BUILDING THEIR CONFIDENCE AND PERSISTENCE.

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

CONG. SETASIDES, MUSEUMS

CONG. SETASIDES, MUSEUMS

SAN JOSE CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL UNDERTAKE A PARTICIPATORY PLANNING PROCESS. THE PROCESS WILL INFORM THE PRODUCTION OF A CROSS-CULTURAL TRAVELING EXHIBITION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT ADDRESSES DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS AND NATIONAL CHALLENGES. FOCUSING ON THE PERSIAN FESTIVAL OF NOROOZ, THE EXHIBITION WILL FEATURE BOTH MUSLIM AND NON-MUSLIM PEOPLES AND EXPLORE CONNECTIONS AMONG THE MANY NATIONALITIES AND CULTURES THAT TRACE THEIR HERITAGE TO PERSIAN ROOTS. THE MUSEUM WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND ADVISORS TO ENSURE CULTURAL ACCURACY AND INCORPORATE ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS, RESOURCES, FOCUS GROUP REFLECTIONS, AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT. AN EXHIBIT DESIGN CONSULTANT WILL FACILITATE DESIGN WORKSHOPS, AND DEVELOP A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK, SCHEMATIC DESIGN, AND FABRICATION PLAN FOR THE EXHIBITION. THE MUSEUM WILL ALSO PRODUCE A COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY, BUILD SCRIPT TEMPLATES, AND PRESENT A NOROOZ CULTURAL CELEBRATION AS PART OF THE PROJECT.

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

BIOSITE CONNECT, AN INITIATIVE OF THE BIOSITE PROGRAM OPERATED BY CHILDREN???S DISCOVERY MUSEUM OF SAN JOSE, AND DELIVERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL

PURPOSE: TO SUPPORT PERSONNEL EXPENSES IN RESPONSE TO AND RECOVERY FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL BUILD A NEW, PERMANENT EXHIBIT THAT INVITES YOUNG CHILDREN TO EXPLORE THE INNER WORKINGS OF A SOLAR CELL, A DEVICE THAT CONVERTS SUNLIGHT INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY. DRAWING UPON CHILDREN’S CURIOSITY AND IMAGINATION, THE EXHIBIT WILL INSPIRE VISITORS TO “BE” THE SUN AS THEY PLAYFULLY WORK TO INDUCE AN “ELECTRIC CURRENT.” THIS EXPERIENCE WILL ALSO CONNECT TO THE MUSEUM’S OWN WORKING SOLAR ARRAY, COMPOSED OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF SOLAR CELLS THAT GENERATE ENOUGH ELECTRICITY TO POWER THE MUSEUM. MUSEUM STAFF WILL ALSO DESIGN A SERIES OF FACILITATED ACTIVITIES INCLUDING PUBLIC PROGRAMS, INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES FOR SCHOOL GROUPS, AND A RESOURCE GUIDE. AS A RESULT, VISITORS AND YOUNG LEARNERS WILL EXPAND THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND LEARN FROM ACTION-ORIENTED EXPERIENCES ABOUT MITIGATING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL PARTNER WITH MASSACHUSETTS CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION (MCI)-CONCORD AND CONCORD PRISON OUTREACH TO CREATE PLAYFUL LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR YOUNG, INCARCERATED FATHERS (AGES 18-24) TO SHARE WITH THEIR CHILDREN. THE MUSEUM WILL DEVELOP A SET OF ENGAGEMENT KITS THAT WILL INCLUDE ACTIVITIES, MATERIALS, AND RESOURCES DESIGNED TO BUILD FATHERS' KNOWLEDGE OF CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND INCREASE THEIR COMFORT WITH ENGAGING IN POSITIVE EXPERIENCES WITH THEIR CHILDREN. THE PROJECT WILL SERVE 30 INCARCERATED FATHERS LIVING IN A NEWLY OPENED UNIT AT MCI-CONCORD THAT PROVIDES AN ARRAY OF SUPPORTIVE PROGRAMS RESPONSIVE TO THE UNIQUE DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS OF MEN IN THAT AGE RANGE.

THE GRANT PROVIDES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THE SCIENCENTER DISCOVERY MUSEUM, SDM, TO PARTNER WITH VARIOUS LOCAL AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO IMPLEMENT THEIR FUTURE SCIENCE LEADERS PROGRAM TO INCREASE ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY OF STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS IN TOMPKINS COUNTY, NEW YORK ON ISSUES AFFECTING CASCADILLA CREEK AND CAYAUGA RIVER. SDM, THROUGH CLASSROOM AND HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES INTEND TO EDUCATE PARTICIPATING STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS ON VARIOUS WATER QUALITY ISSUES AFFECTING THE LOCAL WATERSHEDS AND EMPOWER PARTICIPANTS TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS AND TAKE ACTIONS TO IMPROVE THE WATERSHEDS.

COMMUNITY FACILITY GRANTS

OUTREACH AND EDUCATION FOR WATERSHED HEALTH IN MAINE

THE SAN DIEGO CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL EMBARK ON THE BUILDING, CREATING, AND EXPANSION PHASE OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PROJECT TO STRENGTHEN STAFF AND VISITOR'S CULTURAL APPRECIATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO’S FIRST PEOPLES, THE KUMEYAAY NATION AND LUISEÑO TRIBES. MUSEUM STAFF AND TRIBAL CONSULTANTS WILL OFFER ONSITE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND STORYTELLING PROGRAMS, STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES, AND FREE ACCESS TO THE MOBILE STEM WORKSHOPS FOR LOCAL TRIBAL SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. AS A RESULT, THE MUSEUM WILL SOLIDIFY NEW PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES PARTNERS TO HELP ADVANCE KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, AND CHILDREN AND CAREGIVERS WILL DEVELOP AN APPRECIATION FOR NATURAL RESOURCES THROUGH THE LENS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES.

THE OFFICE OF STEM ENGAGEMENT (OSTEM) SEEKS TO: 1. ATTRACT STUDENTS TO STEM THROUGH UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES THAT SPARK INTEREST AND PROVIDE CONNECTIONS TO NASA S MISSION AND WORK; 2. ENGAGE STUDENTS IN AUTHENTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCES WITH NASA S

THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM IN ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS, WILL DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND OUTDOOR PROGRAMS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE SHORT- AND LONG-TERM MENTAL HEALTH BENEFITS OF CONNECTING WITH NATURE. WHILE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS HAVE EXPERIENCED HEIGHTENED ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION AS A RESULT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, CHILDREN AND PARENTS DISCOVERY MUSEUM'S CORE AUDIENCE ARE AMONG THE HARDEST HIT POPULATIONS, ACCORDING TO BOTH STATE AND NATIONAL DATA. WORKING WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE CLINICAL AND OTHER SERVICES TO FAMILIES, THE MUSEUM WILL DEVELOP LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO INCREASE PARTICIPANTS' KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE WAYS IN WHICH BEING OUTDOORS CAN DECREASE STRESS AND ANXIETY AND BOOST MOOD. THE MUSEUM WILL PROVIDE FREE MEMBERSHIPS TO FAMILIES WITH FINANCIAL NEEDS AND DEVELOP NATURE-BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WHO HAVE CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES. THIS PROJECT WILL BUILD THE MUSEUM'S CAPACITY TO PROVIDE NATURE-FOCUSED EXPERIENCES TO ALL VISITORS THROUGH NEW STAFFING, PROGRAMS, AND PARTNERSHIPS.

THE BAY AREA DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL CONTINUE ITS MOBILE ENGINEERING LAB PROGRAM, WHICH SERVES SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES THROUGHOUT THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA. THE MOBILE ENGINEERING LAB PROGRAM DELIVERS RESEARCH-BACKED, HANDS-ON STEM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATH) LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR PRE-K THROUGH 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS THAT ALIGN WITH THE NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS. THIS WORK WILL DIRECTLY RESPOND TO CRITICAL COMMUNITY NEEDS CREATED OR EXACERBATED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, INCLUDING MOBILE AND SOCIALLY DISTANCED CLASSROOMS AND ACCESS TO STEM ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS. DURING THE 2021/2022 SCHOOL YEAR AND SUMMER, THE MUSEUM WILL DELIVER 74 SCHOOL PROGRAMS OF APPROXIMATELY THREE TO FOUR SESSIONS EACH FOR 5,300 PRE-K THROUGH 5TH-GRADE STUDENTS, ALONG WITH 12 LIBRARY AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS FOR 1,200 CHILDREN. THE PROGRAM WILL PRIORITIZE SERVING TITLE I SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLS WITH THE WIDEST IDENTIFIED ACHIEVEMENT GAPS.

SCIENCENTER IN ITHACA, NEW YORK, WILL CONDUCT A CAPACITY-BUILDING PROJECT TO IMPROVE THE MUSEUM'S DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND EXPAND COMMUNITY ACCESS TO PROGRAMMING. COVID-19 EXACERBATED TYPICAL PATTERNS OF LEARNING LOSS, AND THE SCIENCENTER WORKED WITH TEACHERS, LIBRARIES, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO SUPPORT ONLINE LEARNING THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC. TO CONTINUE THIS MOMENTUM, THEY PLAN TO UPGRADE THE MUSEUM'S WI-FI CONNECTIVITY, INCREASING ACCESS AND RELIABILITY FOR VISITORS AND SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL PROGRAMS FOR TARGET AUDIENCES. WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, SCIENCENTER WILL CREATE INTERACTIVE STEM PROGRAMS THAT COMPLEMENT CLASSROOM LEARNING FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES PRE-K THROUGH 6. BY RELATING CONTENT TO STUDENTS' PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND SURROUNDINGS, THEY WILL FOSTER HIGHER ENGAGEMENT IN ACTIVITIES AND HELP TO ADDRESS THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON STEM LEARNING.

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP GRANTS

THE SAN JOSE CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY MUSEUM (CDM) WILL EXPAND THEIR BIOSITE (STUDENTS INVESTIGATING THEIR ENVIRONMENT) PROGRAM BY ENHANCING THE SCIENCE

USING COMMUNITY SCIENCE TO ENGAGE UNDERREPRESENTED YOUTH IN AUTHENTIC STEM ENGAGEMENT AND RESEARCH

THIS ACTION APPROVES AN AWARD IN THE AMOUNT OF $36 652 TO THE COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING LANDSCAPES PROJECT WHICH FOCUSE

TO SUPPORT "CREATIVE ROOTS," PUBLIC ART PROGRAMS AND AN INSTALLATION, AN IMAGINE YOUR PARKS PROJECT.

TO SUPPORT EARLY ADVENTURES IN ART, AN ART IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.

SINCE 2001, THE MAINE DISCOVERY MUSEUM HAS GROWN FROM A FOCUS OF LOCAL IMPACT IN THE BANGOR COMMUNITY TO BECOMING A VITAL ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES THE ENTIRE STATE OF MAINE. STAFF HAVE DEVELOPED DEEP AND VITAL PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER NONPROFITS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMING THROUGHOUT THE STATE, OFTEN GOING TO RURAL AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO BRING THEIR EXPERTISE TO THEM. THE MUSEUM ALSO HAS RELATIONSHIPS WITH A WIDE NETWORK OF COMMUNITY ANCHORS LIKE LIBRARIES, PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS, AND SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAMMING TO VARIOUS COMMUNITIES.

THROUGHOUT ITS 41-YEAR HISTORY, THE DISCOVERY MUSEUM HAS PROVEN ITSELF TIME AND AGAIN TO BE A LEADER IN THE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM FIELD, AND FOR NIMBLY AND CREATIVELY ADDRESSING IMPORTANT AUDIENCE NEEDS AHEAD OF THE NATIONAL CURVE. FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, THE MUSEUM HAS BEEN DELIVERING STEM-FOCUSED CURRICULUM TOPICS TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND IS NOW PRESENT IN MORE THAN 2,000 CLASSROOMS ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS, ARGUABLY THE LARGEST STEM-FOCUSED MUSEUM OUTREACH PROGRAM IN THE STATE. LASTLY, DISCOVERY MUSEUM IS THE FIRST CHILDREN’S MUSEUM IN THE COUNTRY TO PRODUCE ALL OF ITS OWN ELECTRICITY ONSITE AND UNIQUE IN ITS ROLE AS ONE OF THE LARGEST NONPROFIT COMMUNITY SOLAR PROVIDERS IN THE STATE, WITH FIVE NONPROFITS NOW OPERATING ON DISCOUNTED CLEAN ENERGY THANKS TO THE MUSEUM’S PRODUCTION.

PURPOSE: TO SUPPORT FREE ESPECIALLY FOR ME ARTS EVENTS FEATURING ARTISTS WITH DISABILITIES.

TO SUPPORT THE ROOTS SERIES AT THE SAN DIEGO CHILDRENS DISCOVERY MUSEUM.

TO SUPPORT THE ROOTS SERIES AN INTERNATIONAL PERFORMING ARTS SERIES WITH COMPLEMENTARY ARTS ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN.

CREATIVE DISCOVERY MUSEUM WILL CREATE AN INDOOR/OUTDOOR, NATURAL SCIENCE GALLERY DESIGNED FOR CHILDREN AGES 2 TO 12. NAMED “UNEARTHED,” THE GALLERY WILL INCLUDE EXHIBITS ON FOSSIL LAYERS, DINOSAURS AND PALEONTOLOGY, VOLCANOS AND VOLCANOLOGY, EROSION AND WEATHERING, ENTOMOLOGY, AND INSECTS. IT WILL OFFER HANDS-ON, EXPLORATORY EXPERIENCES IN NATURAL SCIENCE FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE NEW SCIENCE GALLERY WILL ALIGN WITH STATE EDUCATIONAL STANDARDS, PROVIDE MORE INTERACTIVE LEARNING EXPERIENCES, AND INTRODUCE CHILDREN TO REAL ELEMENTS INCLUDING DIRT, WATER, AND SAND IN AN OUTDOOR EXHIBIT THAT REINFORCES THE CONCEPTS PRESENTED INSIDE THE MUSEUM.