Biomes around the world project is the refreshed vision for springfield science museum's live animal center

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) awarded a $465,000 Project Grant under the Congressionally-Identified Projects program (CFDA 11.617) to the Springfield Museums Corporation for the Biomes Around the World Project to update the live animal center at the Springfield Science Museum. The grant will fund the design, purchase, and installation of 6 new aquarium tanks and corresponding life support systems across 4 different water environments (cold saltwater, cold freshwater, tropical freshwater, and tropical saltwater). The project will also include exhibit theming, lighting, and multilingual graphics to enhance educational programming and accessibility for the museum's diverse visitors, including students, learners with disabilities, and English as a Second Language participants. The grant period runs from September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024.

Activities

This project will include the design, purchase, and installation of 6 new tanks and corresponding life support systems (LSS) across 6 main exhibit areas. Four types of LSS's will be needed: LSS-1 will be for cold saltwater, LSS-2 will support cold freshwater, LSS-3 will support tropical freshwater, and LSS-4 will support tropical saltwater. Each LSS will have biological, mechanical, and chemical filtration, as well as ultraviolet sterilization, and overhead lighting. A foam fractionator (protein skimmer) will also be included on all saltwater aquariums. Tanks will have heaters or chillers depending on the water temperature. Each live animal exhibit will include stands and work platforms, internal and external exhibit theming, external lighting, text and interpretive graphics. The springfield museums will work in-house and with vendors on the development of multilingual exhibit labels, graphics, plaques, and programming spaces that support the newly renovated live animal center.

Expected outcomes

An improved live animal center will allow museum educators to incorporate multisensory resources in each of our science field trips. These improvements will expand service delivery to the museum's growing and diverse partners including organizations that support learners with disabilities, ESL learners, local educators, and stem educational networks. The applicant expect this project will increase participation and stem learning outcomes for visiting students, serve as an accessible educational resource to the region, and increase springfield science museum visitation. Importantly, this project will directly enhance the quality of life for the 44 species of animals currently cared for by springfield museums.

Intended beneficiaries

The springfield science museum is a free resource to all of springfield residents. As a significant educational partner to schools, the museum is committed to equitable access with multilingual and universally designed programs. The applicant notes that stem field trips are the most requested by educators. According to the act's "condition of stem" report, only 21% of springfield high school students are academically ready for college courses in a stem major. 77.1% of springfield students are economically disadvantaged compared with 32% across the commonwealth. Springfield's student population is 67% latino and 19% african american. The museum is an essential gateway for springfield students to gain access to stem learning and future careers in a field that historically lacks women and people of color.

Subrecipient activities

No subawards with this application.