The sciencenter will partner with regional libraries to expand equitable access to hands-on stem learning by leveraging and supporting public libraries as trusted spaces that offer relevant and…

The federal Project Grant award in the amount of $501,818 was provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Museums for America (MFA) program (CFDA 45.301). The Sciencenter Discovery Museum in Ithaca, New York will partner with regional libraries to expand equitable access to hands-on STEM learning by supporting public libraries as trusted community spaces. The project will use input from prior collaborations to co-create STEM activity kits and establish a learning community with library educators to facilitate locally relevant STEM learning experiences that address regional challenges. Key project activities include prototyping activities with museum and library visitors, disseminating kits for at-home and library learning, and conducting a developmental evaluation. This effort aims to strengthen the museum's partnerships to reach new audiences, particularly in rural communities, increase regional libraries' and families' capacity to facilitate STEM learning, and improve science process skills among children through increased STEM engagement.

The sciencenter will partner with regional libraries to expand equitable access to hands-on stem learning by leveraging and supporting public libraries as trusted spaces that offer relevant and engaging experiences. The project team will use input from prior library collaborations and listening sessions to CO-create stem activity kits and establish a learning community with library educators to support locally relevant stem learning opportunities that address regional challenges. Project activities will include prototyping activities with museum and library visitors, disseminating kits for at-home and library learning, and a developmental evaluation. As a result, the museum will strengthen partnerships to reach new audiences with a focus on rural communities and libraries; regional libraries and families will increase their capacity to facilitate stem learning; and children will improve science process skills through increased stem learning and engagement.