14 Mar 2016
Connecticut Science Center plans US$16m overhaul
BY Tom Anstey
Hartford’s Connecticut Science Center is planning a major US$16m (€14.6m, £11.2m) expansion and overhaul of its facility to include new educational programmes for kids covering STEM topics to align with new state curriculum standards.
Called Science Forward, the new five-year initiative will see the installation of new exhibitions, as well as adaptable learning spaces and laboratories to meet growing demand in the US state.
The multi-million dollar plan will include a re-imagined Science Alley, which showcases the scope of scientific exploration on earth, under the sea and even in outer space. Plans also include a new Butterfly Conservatory and Greenhouse, aimed at attracting tourists while also serving as an active learning laboratory for students. Additionally, the facility’s engineering lab will be expanded, with hands on activities and maker sessions planned as well as a creative space for investigation and engineering design.
One of the major new exhibitions is Earth and Human Impact, which will examine the way that humanity and the planet work in both conflict and harmony. The exhibit will include topics such as climate, earthquakes, volcanoes and more. A second planned exhibition space includes a DNA and Genomic Sciences gallery, with exhibits on crime scene investigation, heredity and, genomic medicine.
Science Forward’s new facilities and exhibits will be keyed towards the state science curriculum, with new and updated programmes at the science centre. Additionally, a team of STEM professionals and educators at the science centre’s teaching academy is working with the State Department of Education to train teachers in Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which will be incorporated into everyday curricula at schools.
The Science Forward plan is being funded by a public-private partnership, with US$10.5m (€9.5m, £7.4m) coming from the state and a further US$5.5m (€5m, £3.9m) coming from a combination of public donations and sponsors.
"We know the importance of aligning offerings to help prepare our children today for the jobs of tomorrow. That's why we continue to do it not just inside the classroom, but outside of it as well," said governor Dannel Malloy.
"From aligning the science centre and our public schools, to connecting our higher education institutions, to linking workforce training to the needs of employers, we are building the infrastructure for success and helping prepare our kids for college and careers. The science centre is an important part of our comprehensive effort to develop a talent pipeline for the jobs of today and tomorrow."
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