For the 7th Year, MathWorks Continues Partnership with The Discovery Museums To Bring Hands-On STEM Workshops into K-8 School Classrooms

ACTON, MA—The Discovery Museums announced today the seventh year of partnership with MathWorks of Natick, MA to bring the museums’ Traveling Science Workshops (TSW) program to elementary and middle school classrooms throughout the region.

Now in its 25th year, TSW is a state curriculum-based program that brings hands-on science and STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) concepts into pre K-8 classrooms throughout New England.

Traveling Science Workshops served nearly 30,000 students in more than 1,500 classrooms in 2016, and is the only classroom-based program of its kind in Massachusetts. Age- and grade-appropriate workshop topics that support state science curriculum standards and the new Science, Technology, and Engineering standards. Topics include Force and Motion, Chemistry Lab, Earth Science, Light & Lasers, Sound, Magnets, Green Engineering, Dinosaurs, Weather and Climate, Bubbles and Physical Changes of Matter, among others. Fun, hands-on discovery activities demystify science concepts, strengthen problem solving skills, and reinforce the scientific method. Classroom teachers and parents receive follow-up activities to reinforce learned concepts.

This year the Museums piloted and introduced a new Weather and Climate workshop to the curriculum offerings, in order to continue to provide curriculum aligned with state requirements. In the workshop, students in 3rd grade use weather maps and historical data to describe and predict typical weather for a given region and apply what they learn along with their engineering skills to build shelters that protect against the expected elements.

“We continue to support the Traveling Science Workshops program because it brings to the classroom something essential that students are not getting enough of: hands-on science,” said Kevin Lorenc, director of corporate communications at MathWorks. “Hands-on experimentation and learning can spark a child’s interest in science, technology, and engineering in a way that a book or video never could.”

“MathWorks support of TSW enables us to bring hands-on science to many more children than we would otherwise,” said Neil Gordon, CEO of The Discovery Museums. “We have a shared belief that early STEM can make a lasting impact on kids. We are very grateful for MathWorks long-standing support of this important program.”

Besides supporting Traveling Science Workshops, MathWorks has also funded accessibility programs at the museums, and MathWorks employees complete several employee volunteer days at the Museums each year.  The two organizations received a 2014 Partners of the Year award from the Boston Business Journal, which recognizes for-profit and non-profit partnerships that have an impact on the community.

About MathWorks

MathWorks is the leading developer of mathematical computing software. MATLAB, the language of technical computing, is a programming environment for algorithm development, data analysis, visualization, and numeric computation. Simulink is a graphical environment for simulation and Model-Based Design for multidomain dynamic and embedded systems. Engineers and scientists worldwide rely on these product families to accelerate the pace of discovery, innovation, and development in automotive, aerospace, electronics, financial services, biotech-pharmaceutical, and other industries. MATLAB and Simulink are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world's universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 3500 people in 15 countries, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA. For additional information, visit mathworks.com.

About The Discovery Museums

The Discovery Museums are the children’s and science museums of Metrowest Boston. Two great museums and the Discovery Woods accessible outdoor nature playscape and treehouse—for one admission price—blend the best of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) learning on a beautiful 4.5-acre campus in Acton, MA, about 20 miles west of Boston. The Museums serve families and schools from towns throughout the region, with a commitment to informal education that enhances classroom learning. The hands-on, playful exhibits, developed by professional educators, inspire curiosity, exploration, and imagination, providing a fun and engaging experience for children and adults to discover their world together. The Discovery Museums are committed to accessibility, and are a proud recipient of the 2017 Massachusetts Commonwealth Award, the only winner in the Access category. For more information please visit www.discoverymuseums.org. The Discovery Museums are an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The Discovery Museums’ programming is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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