Science Center Is an Independent, Not-For-Profit Educational Institution That Ignites Curiosity and Inspires the Lifelong Discovery of Science
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
I G N I T I N G C U R I O S I T Y A N D I N S P I R I N G T H E L I F E L O N G D I S C O V E R Y OF S C I E N C E S C FISCALI YEARSE 2014 N 2015 C E A N N U A L R E P O R T Adventure Science Center is an independent, not-for-profit educational institution that ignites curiosity and inspires the lifelong discovery of science. Twitter Followers: Named “Best Place to Take the Kids” by The Tennessean’s Toast of Music City readers’ poll. 4,200 Best The Sudekum Planetarium presented Place 2,990 shows to 169,184 visitors enjoyed our guests to Take exhibits, programs S C I E N C E and events the Kids S C I E N C E Facebook Likes: 22,000 Voted #1 children’s museum Ranked in Nashville by Paid Tourist Attraction by USA Today Travel 9,296 Nashville Business Journal member households ADVENTURE MESSAGE FROM SCIENCE CENTER: The CHAIRMAN and AN INVESTMENT To Our Friends: CEO Looking back on the past two years at Adventure Science Center, it is clear that our programs and I N O U R exhibits continue to make a profound impact on visitors of all ages. In big and small ways, we are igniting curiosity and inspiring the lifelong discovery COMMUNITY of science within our community. Our institution has been a beloved Nashville icon for 70 years. Millions of people have come through our doors or participated in outreach programs at their schools, making countless memories in the process. We are gratified to be the place where so many have been exposed to the wonders of science in new and exciting ways. Way Late Play Date received the We were thrilled to host the 2013 and 2014 Nashville Mini Maker Faire, an Diversified Trust New Generations expansive outdoor exhibition of local “makers”—tech enthusiasts, crafters, Award at the 2014 Salute to tinkerers, hobbyists and artisans. This all-ages event was attended by more than Excellence, presented by the Center 5,000 people and garnered widespread media attention, in addition to the Award of Excellence presented by the Tennessee Association of Museums. for Nonprofit Management We followed up on the success of that event by designing and fabricating a new temporary exhibit, the Tinkering Garage. A first-of-its-kind in the city, the exhibit invites visitors to step into the ultimate workshop with real tools and materials, allowing them the freedom to make, break and invent new things. Members and visitors have been clamoring for its annual return, which we’ve scheduled for February. Looking ahead, sparking an interest in science learning remains at the core of our work. We will continue to engage young people in STEM subjects to help prepare them for a future in which the greatest opportunities will require a solid STEM foundation. We will inspire dreams, raise aspirations and provoke all of us to explore and gain a better understanding of science and our ever-changing world. None of our achievements would be possible without the ongoing support of our friends, members and donors. Your generosity makes a difference to the school groups, teachers, families and visitors we serve each and every day. On behalf of our dedicated Board, talented staff and loyal volunteers, we thank you for joining us in this worthwhile effort. Warm Regards, Gerald F. Gorman Susan B. Duvenhage Chairman President and CEO For 70 years, Adventure Science Center has played a critical role in Named “Best offering science content that inspires curiosity in all ages. With 44,000 Place to Take the Kids When square feet of exhibit space, the Center features nearly 175 hands-on It’s Raining” in exhibits focused on biology, physics, visual perception, listening, mind, the Nashville Scene’s Best air and space, energy and earth science. We bring science to life with of Nashville award-winning programs that include daily readers’ science demonstrations, activities, workshops, poll lectures, camps, Science Cafés and other “Our daughter is taking biology and making 99 special events. Serving more than 300,000 on her tests. When she was little she would attend science camps at people annually, Adventure Science Center Adventure Science Center. continues to be a premier attraction and You have nurtured her ‘inner science geek!’ as we say.” learning center for visitors throughout Middle –Teresa C., parent of high schooler, Tennessee and far beyond. Nashville, TN “We absolutely loved Educational the Tinkering Garage exhibit! We will definitely be back!” –Adriel, visitor Programming SCHOOL CHILDREN SERVED: YOUTH CR3W 131,308 from Tennessee and 6,301out-of-state school children through on-site labs, demonstrations, after-school and out-of-school programs, camp-ins and overnights, and self-guided activities. 47 Tennessee school systems served School groups from other and Japan We connected 40 teens with science in more 14 states meaningful ways through our Youth CR3W program. As part of CR3W, the students have opportunities to Camp attendance: 9,081 develop both their science content knowledge and interpersonal skills through interpreting exhibits for guests and facilitating hands-on activities for public Camp-in participants: 8,424 events. Students apply as high school freshmen, committing to the program for four years. As the Community Outreach: National Libraries “Summer of STEM” collaboration: students progress through the program, their 4,012 responsibilities grow, and they learn valuable skills for college and a future career. CR3W members represented Out-of-school program attendance: 43,235 the following high schools: Antioch, Brentwood, Cane Ridge, Centennial, Hume-Fogg, Hunters Lane, Martin Luther King Jr., McGavock, Nashville School of the Arts, Teen program attendance: 2,083 hours Overton, Ravenwood and University School. Original fulldome programs, produced by our own Sudekum Planetarium, were leased to other planetariums, large and small, in 11 states and eight foreign countries: Germany, Italy, Japan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Switzerland. Original fulldome programs, produced by our own Sudekum Planetarium, were leased to other planetariums, large and small, in 11 states and Community five foreign countries: Germany, Italy, Japan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, South Korea Sri Lanka and Switzerland. Investment Science Café series attendance: 902 TEMPORARY EXHIBITS We welcomed our largest crowd ever for a Science Café on May 15. The topic was “Marijuana: Menace or Exhibit Attendance: Miracle?” with panelists Paul Kuhn, Dr. David Black, Bernie Ellis and Dr. Doug Aukerman, which garnered a wide variety of opinions and a lively discussion among attendees. Other topics included: n Chemistry & Forensics n Biking the Lewis & Clark Expedition n The Aging Brain 31,048 n The Future of Regional Transportation n Powering the Grid with Negawatts n Ebola 54,138 n Fracking n Building Green n An Astronaut’s Story IDENTITY n Exploring the Paranormal n Climate Change n Time Travel 37,452 n Mid-wifery n The Maker Revolution n Perception vs. Technology AN EXHIBITION OF YOU n Science Misconceptions n Artificial Intelligence n Stress and the Real World CITIZEN SCIENCE: LOST LADYBUG PROJECT Members and the community joined the Lost Ladybug Project from March through August to learn how native 93,329 137,340 ladybug populations are becoming rare and to help gather data for a national study. Citizen scientists heard from Belmont University entomologist Dr. Steve Murphree, received a field guide, and reported their findings via a smartphone app. The project was supported by the National Science Foundation (Grant No. 0741738). Exhibit Sponsors: American Paper and Twine Co., Anderson, Delk, Epps & Assoc., Benchmark Plumbing, Builders FirstSource, The CarMax Foundation, Dorris Construction, Empire SCI-BITES Electric, Four Star Paving LLC, HCA/TriStar Health, Metro Carpets Every day our Science Educators present Sci-Bites—interactive science demonstrations that spark imaginations, LLC, Morgan Electric and Smith Gee Studio. encourage curiosity, and inspire a spirit of learning. This year’s concepts included astronomy, saving energy in your home, the physics of bouncing balls, why objects sink or float, backyard bird-watching, force and impact, TINKERING GARAGE and much more. Adventure Science Center designed, built and opened the Tinkering Garage temporary exhibit, a first-of-its-kind DIY space. The exhibit allows visitors the opportunity to invent new things TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: 333 TEACHERS and create “take apart art” by disassembling small appliances Adventure Science Center offered 28 professional development opportunities and helped teachers add to their and using the parts in unique ways. Guests also build robots, standards-based science content knowledge. The workshops provided fresh ideas for hands-on activities and low- models of buildings, space ships and much more. Due to popular cost, interactive lessons. Each received a Certificate of Completion that may be used as professional development demand, the Science Center has continued to offer the Tinkering credit in their districts. Topics included “Robotics in the Classroom” and “Growing Up Wild!” Garage on an annual basis. “I love science camp at the Adventure Science Center. I got to play in a car and watch a movie about brains. It has helped me be more interested in science at school. I can’t wait to go again next summer.” –Andrew, 3rd grader Nashville, TN Community Nashville Mini Maker Faire Investment PUBLIC EVENTS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS Adventure Science Center was a proud recipient of the Award of Excellence by the Tennessee Association n Alignment Nashville of Museums for the inaugural Nashville Mini Maker Faire. More than 5,000 people attended the free all-ages n Austin Peay State University event featuring local “makers”—tech enthusiasts, crafters, tinkerers, hobbyists and artisans—who showcased n Autism Society of Middle Tennessee their do-it-yourself (DIY) projects and innovations in an expansive outdoor festival.