Archive: Around Town

The Sciencenter launched the public phase of a multi-year, $3.8 million capital campaign last week that will expand and enhance nearly all of the museum's exhibits and educational programs. The Campaign: Curious. Confident. Inspired., will provide the support the museum needs to foster science learning at each major developmental stage – from toddlers, through elementary school, to the teen years. Through enhanced exhibit experiences, new and expanded programs, facility upgrades, and an endowment for sustainability, each of the museum's three age-based initiatives will receive support through the campaign.

"We want every young person to appreciate the power of science and how it will shape the world they will soon inherit," said Charlie Trautmann, Executive Director of the Sciencenter. "We are replacing or reinventing nearly all of our exhibits – indoors and out. We are expanding our educational efforts and moving a few walls to better support our programs.  And we are removing financial barriers, so that the Sciencenter will be accessible to everyone in our community."

Guests at the Sciencenter will see several changes and additions to the museum throughout the Campaign. In addition to developing new hands-on experiences, the Sciencenter will welcome a new animal room dedicated to the diverse native New York wildlife and an expanded Maine tidepool Touch Tank, see the creation of an outdoor curiosity playground created especially for toddlers under 5 to explore, develop new learning experiences for teen Future Science Leaders, and extend educational programming for Head Start teachers and families.

"Sharing knowledge of the world and all within it is among the most precious gifts we can give to future generations," said Professor Robin Davisson, co-chair of the Campaign. "The superb professionals and volunteers at the Sciencenter share this gift each day.  The Campaign for the Sciencenter will greatly enhance our ability to share with young people the excitement of science.  We appreciate the generous support that our donors have given and look forward with hope and optimism to successful completion of our campaign."

The Sciencenter seeks to raise the remainder of the campaign goal by late 2016. To date, the museum has raised $2.6 million, more than half of its $3.8 million capital campaign goal.

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