W Isdom Begins with W Onder
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Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation C ELEBRATING TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS O F EXCELLENCE ns w egi ith B W m o o n d d s i e r W w ww.DASEF.org 2016 Annual Report 3M Sponsored Endangered Species Programs at the Outpost. Wisdom Begins with Wonder with Begins Wisdom www.dasef.org 2016 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 1 9/19/17 8:32 AM Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation DASEF's Eye on the Earth and its place in the universe Vision To create an exceptional learning environment that inspires children and their families with a sense of appreciation for the Earth and its place in the universe. Families learn about planispheres and the night sky. Lunar activities during an Eyes on the Skies event. Volunteer Mike Grusell prepares his celestial viewing display for Trash Can Dan and Andy the Armadillo pose with the Troop 4 Helicopter Family Day. Team at Family Day. On the Cover: 3M has sponsored DASEF’s Endangered Species Programs and Outreach since 2009. Wisdom Begins with Wonder with Begins Wisdom www.dasef.org 2016 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 2 9/19/17 8:32 AM Wisdom Begins with Wonder 2016 ANNUAL REPORT Dear Friends of DASEF, In 2016, the Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation celebrated its 27th year of providing interdisciplinary, educational programs to youth organizations, schools, families, and adults through applied learning experiences and activities. Programs at the Environmental Outpost and statewide outreach continue to demonstrate DASEF’s mission, emphasizing an appreciation and understanding of the natural world and the integration of human ingenuity with Earth’s ecosystems. New this year, with designated funding from the Change Foundation, DASEF has begun the preliminary planning and design of a Galaxy Garden, second in the world, in Delaware. 2016 reflects the growth that DASEF has experienced as programs continue to expand at the Outpost. Our long term permanent base of instruction has improved the operational efficiencies of our organization and has reinforced the need for expanded instructional space. DASEF continues construction on the Innovation Technology Exploration Center (ITEC) as funding permits. Completion of this statewide facility will provide specialized instructional areas, Earth systems displays, exhibits and overnight accommodations for our Destination Academies and family programs and for community programs throughout the year. ITEC further demonstrates DASEF’s concern with environmental issues through the use of “green” construction materials and processes. Financial management of DASEF embraces disciplined, conservative financial stewardship. Strong risk management governs capital outlays in planning and execution. All construction has been funded without debt and completed on budget. Operating expenses remain under control. Strong volunteer involvement reduces personnel costs. Solicitation of grants and other efforts seeking capital funding for construction continue and are necessary to enable progress toward completion of ITEC. Recognizing that an organization cannot stand alone, DASEF is pleased to have many partners that include Delaware’s institutions of higher learning, Delaware-NASA Space Grant, Delaware State University, 3M, Agilent Technologies, Bank of America, IBM, OrbitalATK, State of Delaware Division of Libraries and many other non-profit and corporate sponsors listed on our The preliminary Galaxy Garden template is laid out in preparation for famed website at www.DASEF.org. Continued support from our many astronomical artist Jon Lomberg ‘s visit to Delaware. partners has enabled DASEF to have a successful year in 2016. The Board is pleased with DASEF’s accomplishments in 2016. We look forward to continued program development and construction progress in 2017. To the Future, Stephanie M.G. Wright, Ed. D. President & CEO Jon explains that the finished garden will be a botanical representation of the Milky Way Galaxy to Advisory Council Member Robert Bloom, Board Member Brian Wright Gary P. Bell and Springhaus Garden Landscaper Debbie Mulholland. Every plant, leaf and speck Chairman, Board of Directors will represent a portion of the Milky Way Galaxy. 1 2016 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 1 9/19/17 8:32 AM DASEF 2016 Annual Report ABOUT DASEF Founded in 1989, the Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation (DASEF), an independent non-profit educational organization having 501(c)(3) status, functions to raise the visibility and value of K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education to meet intellectual and workplace needs of the future. DASEF implements successful programs using proven instructional strategies to motivate, engage, educate, and inspire people from diverse backgrounds and communities in Delaware. The DASEF vision is driven by the belief that “Wisdom Begins with Wonder.” Capitalizing on natural curiosity through activities that include a problem solving component enriches the learning process for participants. DASEF has established itself as an innovative and progressive organization with the vision and resources required to link contemporary Earth and space themes with traditional school subjects to increase interest in science and technology. Wisdom Begins with Wonder 2 2016 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 2 9/19/17 8:32 AM Wisdom Begins with Wonder 2016 COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT Following are comprehensive financial statements MISSION: excerpted from DASEF’s Fiscal Year 2016 (January 1, 2016— To inspire and educate the December 31, 2016) audit performed by the accounting firm of BBD, LLP, Certified Public Accountants, Philadelphia, people of the Delaware Valley Pennsylvania. Complete audited statements are available in learning about the Earth’s from DASEF upon request. environment, Earth and space science, technology, engineering BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 2016 and mathematics through the use of academies, presentations, Assets symposiums, professional Cash and Equivalents $339,939 development, events, and Investments 19,396 activities and the resources of Property and Equipment (Net) 11,121,831 DASEF’s Environmental Outpost. Total Assets $11,481,166 Liabilities and Net Assets CORE VALUES: Accounts Payable $12,941 •Integrity and compassion Net Assets 11,468,225 • Responsible decision making Total Liabilities and Net Assets $11,481,166 • Environmental stewardship •Innovation, exploration, and discovery STATEMENT OF REVENUE/EXPENSES - For the Year Ending DECEMBER 31, 2016 VISION: To create an exceptional learning Revenues environ ment that inspires children Contributions and Grants $233,599 and their fami lies with a sense Tuition and Programs 134,498 of appreciation for the Earth Other Revenue 12,707 and its place in the universe. Total Revenue $380,804 Expenses Program Expenses $334,655 General and Administrative Expenses 31,635 Fundraising 10,575 Total Expenses $376,865 Increase in Net Assets $3,939 Since 1994, DASEF has awarded $232,932 in scholarships to over 1,211 Cadets. Educating and Inspiring 3 2016 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 3 9/19/17 8:32 AM DASEF 2016 Annual Report DASEF’S ENDANGERED SPECIES DASEF: Explore, Discover, and Learn..... Serving all Schools, Teachers, and the Public Using life-size, authentic inflatables, DASEF’s Endangered Species programs have been developed to bring an awareness and an appre- ciation not only of the beauty and size of these magnificent creatures but also to present ways to safeguard habitats and work across inter- national borders. DASEF is most appreciative of 3M’s support. During her year as Miss Delaware’s Outstanding Teen, Ashley Swanson focused on emphasizing STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathematics) presentations to middle school girls. She is shown at a DASEF presentation with young ladies from Girl’s Inc. Wilmer the Whale Ellie the Elephant Perry the Panda Piper the Polar Bear Willow the Wolf Millie the Manatee Kodi the Komodo Dragon Ashley speed paints a picture of Einstein and does science demonstrations for the girls. With funds from her newly formed non-profit, Ms. Swanson awarded 3 full scholar- ships to 3 middle school girls to attend the 2017 Delaware Tiberius the Tiger Gunther the Gorilla Aerospace Academy. 4 2016 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 4 9/19/17 8:32 AM Wisdom Begins with Wonder PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY DASEF Program Participants 2015 and 2016 Calendar Years School Students by Grade Level: 2015 2016 Pre-K 253 395 Kindergarten 243 517 First 1547 1040 Second 1800 2207 Third 822 860 Fourth 1124 1025 Fifth 800 495 Subtotal Students 6589 6539 School Students by School Type: Public 5505 4784 Parochial 172 158 Private 912 1312 Public Charter 0 285 Subtotal Students 6589 6539 School Students by County: Kent 2712 2796 Sussex 1194 1165 Using DASEF’s Earth Watch, Academy instructor Dr. Robert Lockwood gives children New Castle 22683 2578 information about satellite images. Subtotal Students 6589 6539 Number of Schools by County: Kent 40 47 Sussex 21 14 New Castle 46 49 Subtotal Schools 107 110 Outreach Participants: Public 3165 2940 Parochial 0 0 Private 1155 1190 Public Charter 0 0 Kent 770 845 Sussex 740 647 Girls construct Agilent’s electric Steady Hand Game during an after school program funded New Castle 2810 2638 by Painted Stave. Total Outreach 4320 4130 General Public: Public Outreach 7008 7860 Exploration Programs 194 70 Eyes on the Skies Programs 143 110 Library Programs 2624 2884 Birthday Parties 154 100 Outpost Academies 575 755 Subtotal General Public 10698 11779 Family Day Fundraisers: 1000 650 Subtotal General Public w/Fundraisers 11698 12429 Workshops, Mentoring, and Resources 2618 1217 Kindergartners