MathWorks Partners with The Discovery Museums to Bring Hands-On STEM Workshops into School Classrooms
ACTON, MA—The Discovery Museums announced today a renewed partnership with MathWorks of Natick, MA to bring the museums’ Traveling Science Workshops (TSW) program to elementary and middle schools. Now in its 24th 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. This is the sixth consecutive year that MathWorks has underwritten the program.
Traveling Science Workshops served more than 29,000 students in more than 1,400 classrooms last year, and is the only classroom-based program of its kind in Massachusetts. Science concepts come to life through age-appropriate workshop topics that support state science curriculum standards and the new draft Science, Technology, and Engineering standards. Topics include Light & Lasers, Sound, Magnets, Green Engineering, Dinosaurs, Electromagnetism, Simple Machines, Weather, 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 Force & Motion workshop to the curriculum offerings, in order to continue to provide curriculum aligned with state requirements. In the workshop, students in grades Pre K through 3rd explore what creates, controls, and impacts movement, using a variety of engaging and familiar materials.
“This is our 6th year supporting the Museums’ Traveling Science Workshops, because it is a unique and impactful program that brings hands-on science, technology, engineering and math to students in a fun and accessible way,” said Kevin Lorenc, director of corporate communications, MathWorks. “Taking the mystery out of science at an early age can change the way a young student looks at themselves and their abilities.”
“The scientific method comes quite naturally to kids—it’s how they play,” said Neil Gordon, CEO of The Discovery Museums. “With MathWorks ongoing support, we’ve been able to bring hands-on science to kids throughout the Commonwealth, letting them experience doing science rather than just hearing or reading about it. That can make all the difference in building confidence—and interest—around STEM.”
MathWorks and The Discovery Museums have partnered successfully in a number of ways over the last six years. 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 of 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. MathWorks products are also fundamental teaching and research tools in the world's universities and learning institutions. Founded in 1984, MathWorks employs more than 3000 people in 15 countries, with headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, USA. For additional information, visit www.mathworks.com.
About The Discovery Museums
The Discovery Museums are the children’s and science museums of Metrowest Boston, paired on a single campus in Acton, MA. 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.
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