Program is supported by the Voya Foundation
Twenty science centers and museums around the United States will receive $5,000 each in support of STEM engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. These grants were made possible by generous support from Voya Foundation through a competition managed by the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC).
This flexible program is designed to support science and technology centers and museums to continue serving their missions and communities by developing, enhancing, or adapting programs or resources—helping maintain STEM learning as children, families, and educators adapt to a new normal.
These 20 institutions where chosen from among 96 science centers and museums in regions identified by the funder that submitted applications:
- Bisbee Science Exploration and Research Center, Bisbee, Arizona
- Burpee Museum of Natural History, Rockford, Illinois
- Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention, Gainesville, Florida
- Children’s Museum Tucson, Arizona
- Columbia Memorial Space Center, Downey, California
- Da Vinci Science Center, Allentown, Pennsylvania
- Discovery Center Museum, Rockford, Illinois
- Environmental Learning Center, Vero Beach, Florida
- Eugene Science Center, Eugene, Oregon
- International Museum of Surgical Science, Chicago, Illinois
- Knock Knock Children’s Museum, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, Poughkeepsie, New York
- Museum of the Earth at the Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, New York
- Nauticus, Norfolk, Virginia
- North Museum of Nature and Science, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
- Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery, Athens, Ohio
- Pensacola MESS Hall, Pensacola, Florida
- Sci-Port Discovery Center, Shreveport, Louisiana
- SPI: Where Science & Play Intersect, Mount Vernon, Ohio
- Turtle Bay Exploration Park, Redding, California
“We know the important role STEM programs play in our communities because of the success of Voya STEM Futures, one of our signature programs,” said Angela Harrell, SVP, Chief Diversity and Corporate Responsibility Officer and President, Voya Foundation. “We’re proud that our rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic can keep our children learning during this unprecedented time.”
“We are thankful that Voya recognized a need for continued exploration and learning opportunities—even when science centers and museums are closed—and stepped forward to help them keep doing what they do best,” said Cristin Dorgelo, President and CEO of ASTC. “Community-based organizations like science and technology centers and museums are well-positioned to help meet the need for increased understanding of—and engagement with—science and technology among all people, which is needed now more than ever.”
About Voya Foundation
Voya Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life in communities where Voya Financial operates and its employees and customers live. Voya Foundation provides grants and establishes signature partnerships in the areas of financial literacy and children’s education and fosters employee engagement to deepen our positive impact on the community. For more information, visit www.VoyaFoundation.com.
About ASTC
Founded in 1973, ASTC is a network of nearly 700 science and technology centers and museums, and allied organizations, engaging more than 110 million people annually across North America and in almost 50 countries. With its members and partners, ASTC works towards a vision of increased understanding of—and engagement with—science and technology among all people. www.astc.org
Images courtesy Pensacola MESS Hall and Nauticus.