Foundation for MetroWest Awards Grant Funding to The Discovery Museums to Develop Out-of-School STEM Enrichment Programs
Acton, MA — The Foundation for MetroWest awarded $5,000 to The Discovery Museums in support of the development and pilot of Discovery Science: Out of School, a STEM enrichment program targeted to K-8 youth and delivered outside of the classroom. The Museums will pilot the program with 350 youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of MetroWest and Assabet Valley.
Discovery Science: Out of School will provide hands-on STEM education to students in after school programs, modeled on the Museums’ successful school field trip and Traveling Science Workshops programs. In 2015, the Museums served more than 13,200 children through school field trips to the museums, and more than 29,000 through Traveling Science Workshop programs delivered in K-8 classrooms throughout New England.
“We have been delivering STEM programming both here onsite and in schools for more than 23 years, and this is a great opportunity to build upon that and expand our capacity to serve children outside of the classroom,” said CEO Neil Gordon. “Recent studies show that for some students, an out-of-school environment can be more conducive to learning. The Foundation for MetroWest is generously providing the means for us to impact students who otherwise might not be reached.”
“We are very happy to support this initiative by The Discovery Museums to reach our MetroWest youth in new ways to provide STEM enrichment,” said Judith Salerno, Executive Director of Foundation for MetroWest. “Giving kids the opportunity to explore STEM concepts outside of the classroom can only enrich their studies and lives in a beneficial way.”
About The Discovery Museums
The Discovery Museums are the children’s and science museums of Metrowest Boston. Two great museums—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, experimentation and imagination. The Discovery Museums combine manageable scale, convenient location and free parking to provide a fun and engaging experience where children and adults can discover their world together. For more information please visit www.discoverymuseums.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Foundation for MetroWest
Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest is the only community foundation serving the 33 cities and towns in the region. We promote philanthropy in the region, help donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serve as a resource for local nonprofits and enhance the quality of life for all our residents. Since inception, the Foundation has granted $11.6 million to charitable organizations and currently stewards more than $15 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact. To learn more, please visit www.foundationformetrowest.org or call 508-647-2260.
###