Discovery Place to raise $5M to support STEM initiative
Discovery Place Inc. wants to raise $5 million by year end to support its new center focused on science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — education.
The science museum announced plans for the center last week.
It is now reaching out to a variety of businesses with STEM ties to support the endeavor. That includes companies in energy, health care, manufacturing, technology and engineering, says Chase Law, development director for Discovery Place.
“I think we have an uphill challenge in front of us, but this community is a community that comes together,” Law says.
She notes those funds will support the STEM center over a five-year period.
Discovery Place expects the program to help pre-K-12 teachers develop content knowledge and effective teaching practices.
That should help raise students’ abilities in STEM programs — a fast-growing sector when it comes to job opportunities, Law notes.
The STEM center will combine informal science education and inquiry-based learning to provide educators with increased STEM knowledge and strategies designed to engage students.
Plans call for area colleges, universities and those in the STEM industry to work with the center. Educators also will be able to take advantage of the museum’s resources including its natural sciences collection, hands-on labs and interactive exhibits.
The initiative already has early support from some Charlotte businesses.
Bank of America Corp. (NYSE:BAC) will house the STEM program at its STEM Center for Career Development, adjacent to Discovery Place’s uptown Charlotte complex.
Plans call for 20,000 square feet to be renovated, with construction slated to begin later this year.
Duke Energy Corp. (NYSE:DUK) has committed $450,000 over several years to help expand the program to teachers throughout the state.
UTC Aerospace Systems also has donated $250,000. UTC is a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX)
Discovery Place wants to launch the program in spring 2014. As many as 600 teachers are expected to receive some type of training during the first year of operation.
But first it needs to raise additional funds for building renovation, program development and costs as well as to cover initial operations expenses, Law says.
“We are going to push forward in a pretty aggressive way,” she says. “We’re excited about the story we have to tell.”
This effort will expand upon existing STEM-based professional development opportunities available through Discovery Place, Law says.
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