See Science Center Inc

THE SEE SCIENCE CENTER WILL RE-IMAGINE ITS EXISTING FALL FIELD TRIP PROGRAM TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM AS IT ADAPTS TO THE NEW REALITY OF ONLINE EDUCATION. FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS, THE MUSEUM HAS PROVIDED EVERY 4TH GRADE CLASS IN THE MANCHESTER SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH A FREE FIELD TRIP TO THE SITE, REACHING OVER 1,000 STUDENTS ANNUALLY FROM 14 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THE MUSEUM WILL CONVERT FIVE EXISTING PROGRAMS INTO OUTREACH AND VIRTUAL FORMATS, PROVIDE A MINIMUM OF 60 FIELD TRIP PROGRAMS TO MANCHESTER 4TH GRADERS WORK WITH AN EVALUATION FIRM TO COLLECT PROGRAM EVALUATIONS CREATE A FINAL EVALUATION REPORT AND PRODUCE A PROGRAM ACTION PLAN TO ENSURE CONTINUED BENEFITS AFTER THE GRANT PERIOD HAS CONCLUDED. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO SUPPORT STAFF SALARIES TO SUPPORT PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS, AS WELL AS RELATED SUPPLIES AND COMPUTER EQUIPMENT.

THE SEE SCIENCE CENTER WILL INCREASE ITS ABILITY TO WELCOME VISITORS WITH DISABILITIES BY REMOVING BARRIERS IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND THROUGH A NEW INCLUSIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE STAFF TRAINING PROGRAM. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CONDUCTING TWO UNIVERSAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES STAFF TRAININGS FOR SEE’S ACCESS TEAM; SELECTING, ORDERING, AND INSTALLING NEW ACCESSIBLE EQUIPMENT AND FURNISHINGS; CREATING AN ACOUSTIC MITIGATION REPORT; AND DESIGNING AND IMPLEMENTING NEW INCLUSIVE STAFF CUSTOMER SERVICE TRAINING BASED ON UNIVERSAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES. THE PROJECT WILL INVOLVE ENGAGING A CONSULTANT TO SERVE AS SEE’S ACCESSIBILITY AND INCLUSION ADVISOR AND TRAINER. THE PROJECT WILL RESULT IN A MORE WELCOMING AND ACCESSIBLE SPACE FOR ALL VISITORS INCLUDING THOSE WITH PHYSICAL AND NEUROSENSORY DISABILITIES.