DETROIT – The Michigan Science Center was named a finalist in the US2020 STEM Coalition Challenge, a competition for communities across the country to develop cross-sector partnerships bringing quality hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) mentoring and maker-centered learning to underrepresented students. As a finalist, MiSci will move on to compete for a share of $1 million in resources to implement an innovative approach to tackling the opportunity gap through STEM.
“We’re honored to be part of Detroit’s resurgence over the last few years, and we are dedicated to becoming the STEM hub of Michigan and a premier institution for informal STEM learning,” said Dr. Tonya Matthews, Michigan Science Center president and CEO. “As a finalist for the STEM Coalition Challenge, we have the opportunity to enrich all children and all communities with STEM in an understandable, empowering, and occasionally jaw-dropping way that reveals the cool relevance of STEM; and this means making our programs and experiences accessible for all children.”
Finalists were evaluated based on their potential for impact, approach to partnership building, creative engagement strategies, and sustainability planning. Finalists will gather on Jan. 31 for the STEM Collaboratory, a two-day workshop in Pittsburgh, where they will be joined by STEM experts and creative community builders. The event will allow finalists to share, learn, and inspire one another to build local movements and bridge the opportunity gap.
Winners will be announced in spring 2018. The $1 million prize will be shared across eight winners and is comprised of financial, consulting, and staff support, including:
- Three $50,000 cash prizes
- Two full-time staff placements in five winning locations
- Access to US2020’s dynamic volunteer matching platform
- National visibility and communications opportunities with US2020 and its partners
- Measurement and evaluation tools and support
- Management consulting services from US2020 and external partners
- Membership in the US2020 Learning Network and national Community of Practice
The STEM Coalition Challenge is made possible by Arconic Foundation; US2020, a division of Citizen Schools, and national investments from Amgen, Chevron, Discovery Communications. Genentech, Fidelity Investments, Tata Consultancy Services, and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
The Michigan Science Center (MiSci) inspires nearly 300,000 curious minds of all ages every year through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) discovery, innovation and interactive education in Detroit and across the state of Michigan. As the STEM hub of the state, MiSci focuses on developing and introducing expanded education programs, exhibits, and initiatives that empower and enrich all children and all communities with STEM. Through our Traveling Science Program and distance learning initiative, ECHO, we are expanding beyond our Detroit-based facility, with a goal of reaching all 83 counties of Michigan.
With the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater, live stage shows, a Planetarium, lab activities, 250+ hands-on exhibits, and more, there are dozens of ways to customize your MiSci visit. The Michigan Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive support from the city of Detroit or the state of Michigan.
For more information, please call 313.577.8400 or visit the website, Mi-Sci.org.
