Press Release: Long Island Explorium Secures Grant to Launch “Summer Sparks: Empowering Futures in STEM” Program in Underserved Communities
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/22/24 |
CONTACT:
Lisa Collet Rodriguez |
Long Island Explorium Secures Grant to Launch “Summer Sparks: Empowering Futures in STEM” Program in Underserved Communities
Port Jefferson, NY — The Long Island Explorium is honored to be one of 10 science centers and museums across the country selected to receive $15,000 in support of youth STEM engagement from the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), made possible by the Voya Foundation. This award will fund the innovative “Summer Sparks: Empowering Futures in STEM” program, a series of engaging STEM events aimed at reaching underserved BIPOC and low-income students through partnerships with local public libraries.
This summer, the Explorium will host four dynamic “Summer Sparks” STEM events at public libraries in underserved communities. These events are designed to be fun, engaging, and completely free, providing a critical educational resource during the summer months. Each event will feature pop-up exhibits, hands-on activities, and interactive workshops, all aimed at fostering a passion for scientific exploration and introducing children to diverse STEM careers in children aged 9-14.
“Through the ‘Summer Sparks’ program, we are committed to making STEM education accessible and exciting for all children, especially those in communities traditionally underserved by science and technology resources,” said Angeline Judex, Executive Director of the Long Island Explorium. “By hosting these events in local libraries, we are removing barriers to participation and aiming to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers.”
The program includes:
- Pop-Up Exhibits and Hands-On Activities: Themes include earth and space science, environmental sustainability, and an introduction to diverse STEM careers. Building on our past work as a NASA Community Anchor, we will showcase earth and space science, highlighting professionals contributing to critical NASA missions.
- Hands-on STEM Workshops: Interactive sessions based on the Explorium’s award-winning curriculum, focusing on real-world STEM applications and featuring role models from the STEM sector.
- Take-Home Kits: To extend learning, participants will receive kits with activities and resources to continue their STEM exploration at home.
The Explorium expects to engage 400-600 students through the “Summer Sparks” program, building on a strong history of collaboration with local libraries and community centers. This initiative is part of a broader effort to make STEM accessible to all children, regardless of their background.
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About the Long Island Explorium
The Long Island Explorium is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit and is chartered with the New York State Department of Education. Our vision is to be a leader in STEM discovery, learning, and innovation that will shape the intellect, social values, and principles of future generations. Our curriculum, exhibits, and educational approach are unique by design, developed to spark inventive solutions, build confidence by embracing the “fail forward” concept and foster teamwork. We are recognized as Long Island’s Family Maker Space. To learn more, visit www.longislandexplorium.org/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About ASTC
Founded in 1973, the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) is a network of nearly 700 science and technology centers and museums across North America and around the globe. ASTC is dedicated to advancing understanding of and engagement with science and technology among all people. For more information, visit www.astc.org.