NEW EXHIBITIONS, DIGITAL EXPERIENCES AND STEM CAREER FOCUS
The Connecticut Science Center this summer crosses a major milestone, celebrating its 15-year anniversary. In that time, the Science Center has served over 4.2 million individuals, through the interactive museum in Hartford and educational programs delivered at schools and community centers statewide. With big ambitions for the 25-year anniversary, the Science Center has adopted a new 10-year Strategic Vision. The plan is anchored in the Science Center’s driving purpose, to be a pillar of Connecticut and beacon for science that empowers people to make the world better.
“In the 15 years since a robot helped to cut the ribbon to welcome our very first visitors, the Science Center has proudly become a fixture of life for Connecticut families, and on the skyline of our capitol city,” said Len Wolman, a founding Trustee, donor, and current Chair of the Connecticut Science Center Board of Trustees. “The first young visitors to the Science Center in 2009 are now high school graduates – inspired and informed by their Science Center experiences as they pursue their career goals. As we look towards our first quarter-century, our Strategic Vision is rooted in the founding idea that science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) must be for everyone, on their terms.”
The Science Center’s vision starts with strengthening its role as a trusted resource and premiere educational destination that contributes to the quality of life while promoting Connecticut’s culture and standing as a place of innovation. Further, the Science Center is focused on inspiring people to respect, use and participate in science to improve their lives and the world around them. Serving families and working through schools and community partners, the Science Center sparks people of all ages and backgrounds to see themselves in STEM learning, action and careers.
“To achieve our mission, the Science Center must continually reimagine its offerings to inspire interest, questions and free exploration amid the din of competition for time and attention from screens and other options,” said Matt Fleury, President & CEO. “That’s why we will be investing $20 million in new exhibitions, programs and facilities, and a completely new online presence to conveniently serve museum visitors and also push fun and actionable science experiences deeper into homes.”
The Science Center’s 10-year vision has six key points:
- Exemplary Science Center Visitor Experience | Continually improve on-site visitor experience to be attractive, enjoyable and engaging for all people.
- STEM Engagement, Learning and Career Awareness | At the most impressionable ages, the Science Center’s programs open minds to science and inspire interest in STEM, offering pathways to a market eager for talent.
- Digital Engagement to Connect and Serve | Deepen and extend the museum visit with integrated online experiences for learning, transacting and connecting.
- Inspire Generations to Sustain the Planet | Centering natural resources, inspire awareness, knowledge and action towards sustainability.
- Social and Governance | A foundation of culture, practices and programs that exemplify social and financial stewardship, and evoke pride, goodwill and confidence.
- Build Financial Strength | Operational sustainability to support growth in services and capital needs and innovation.
All of the objectives listed above are being advanced with an ongoing fundraising campaign rooted in the successful public/private partnerships that created the Science Center, starting with its planning phase in 2004. The State of Connecticut has approved $10.7 million in funding, and to date, the Science Center has raised an additional $5.06 million towards a combined $20 million goal.
New exhibitions and a completely re-imagined app, mobile platform and website mark the beginning of a multi-year rollout of exciting attractions and features. The journey kicks off later this year with the unveiling of the brand-new Exploring Space exhibition, and the opening of a blockbuster traveling exhibition, The Science of Pixar in 2025. The plan also includes an expanded KidSpace exhibition tailored for the youngest visitors, and a new attraction, KidSpace Outdoors, an imaginative outdoor science playground to be located next to the popular indoor water play area. The team at the Science Center is also planning new exhibitions focused on environmental sustainability and energy. Every exhibition has a focus on STEM careers and related trades, including a planned exhibition on advanced manufacturing, and a new physics exhibition using race car simulators and icons to demonstrate and explain forces in motion, titled Forces in Motion: Speed.
The Science Center’s on-site offerings will increasingly be supported by an entirely new digital platform to make it easier to visit and connect, and to extend STEM engagement into homes and families every day. Featuring a new website and app, the mobile-oriented platform will make planning and purchasing visits, services and memberships far easier. The app will also enable augmented reality enhancements to select exhibitions and offer personalized dashboards for families to participate in science at home and accumulate points and badges through contests and activities.
“The hands-on, in-person moments that we offer are treasured by families, who value time together in our museum,” said Fleury. “At the same time, a thoughtfully integrated digital platform can remove some of the logistical issues with planning a trip, and also extend STEM information, learning and activities right into the home.”
Photo by Kindel Media: https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-boy-in-an-astronaut-costume-holding-a-rocket-7105597/
