W Isdom Begins with W Onder
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
DASEF NON-PROFIT 5 Essex Drive ORG. U.S. Bear, Delaware 19701 POSTAGE PAID WILMINGTON, DE PERMIT NO. 1797 www.dasef.org Back Cover DASEF strives to improve the quality of life through its advocacy of education, the environment, and strengthening the workforce. Innovation Technology Exploration Center The Innovation Technology Exploration Center (ITEC) as seen from DASEF’s wetlands. 2017 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 1 Wisdom Begins with Wonder CELEBRATING TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS OFEXCELLENCE YEARS TWENTY-EIGHT CELEBRATING Amateur Astronomer Brian Wright estimated that over 2,000 people over viewed that estimated Wright Brian Astronomer Amateur the partial eclipse from the DASEF site in Smyrna. A SPECTACULAR DAY!!! ASPECTACULAR Smyrna. in site DASEF the from partialthe eclipse 2017 Annual Report Wisdom B w www.dasef.org Front Cover Front e w g w i . n D A s S E F w . o r i g t h W o n d r e 10/16/18 8:21 AM DASEF's Eye on the Earth and its place in the universe Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation 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. Sta member Kathy Dunworth rst discusses the eects UV rays from Over 60 volunteers assisted with the event. the sun and then children make bead bracelets using UV beads to illustrate what happens. Just a few hours later – clouds, light rain, and the magnicent sun The partial eclipse as seen through a DASEF camera lens with solar lter still peeking through the clouds. viewing glasses. DASEF The Next Eclipse: On Monday, April 8, 2024, the United States will again experience our next total solar eclipse, 5 Essex Drive • Bear, Delaware 19701 passing from the southwest to the northwest. Here's a look at the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse using maps by cartographer Michael Zeiler of GreatAmericanEclipse.com. Delaware will experience another partial eclipse. www.dasef.orgwww.dasef.org Wisdom Begins with Wonder with Begins Wisdom www.dasef.org 2017 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 2 10/16/18 8:24 AM Inside Front Cover Inside Back Cover Wisdom Begins with Wonder 2017 ANNUAL REPORT Dear Friends of DASEF, In 2017, DASEF celebrated its 28th year of providing youth organizations, schools, families, and adults with applied learning experiences and activities. School programs have been developed to address Delaware’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Standards. Information and experience are provided to give students opportunities for increased understanding of specic science topics through participation in science experiments and design challenges. With the remaining directed funds from the Change Happens Foundation and additional support from the DuPont Company, DASEF is moving forward with selecting specic plants that will proportionately represent star forming nebula, gas and dust, stars, small nebula and globular clusters in our Galaxy Garden. It is anticipated that this unique educational project will be completed in late 2018. 2017 reects the growth that DASEF has experienced as programs and outreach continue to expand at the Outpost to over 25,000 annually. Operational eciencies have improved through having a permanent base of operations. DASEF now has 10 sta members at the Outpost and over 50 during the summer sessions of the Destination Academies. Construction continues on the Innovation Technology Exploration Center (ITEC) as funding permits. Completion of this facility will provide unique instructional areas, Earth systems displays and exhibits and overnight accommodations for not only our Destination Academies and family programs, but also for public programs throughout the year. Financial management of DASEF embraces disciplined, conservative nancial stewardship. Strong risk management governs capital outlays in planning and execution. All construction has been funded without debt and completed on budget. Solicitation of grants and other eorts seeking capital funding for construction continue and remain necessary to enable continued progress toward completion of ITEC. DASEF is appreciative of the collaboration and support of many partners that include Delaware’s institutions of higher education, Delaware NASA Space Grant, DuPont, Agilent, IBM, 3M, Northrup Grumman, State of Delaware libraries, and many other non-prot and corporate sponsors. Through the eorts of our board members, advisory councils, our sta and many volunteers, 2017 illustrates a sample of the successful educational program DASEF can deliver. We look forward to expanding our programs and ask for your continued support in 2018. DASEF supporters, Ron Gomes and Mike Rasmussen, co-owners of the Painted Stave, hosted a special drawing to select the winner of the donated bottled of bourbon from OFC Bualo Trace. The nal amount raised through the rae was $6,300, To the Future, contributed to DASEF for educational programs. Stephanie M.G. Wright, Ed. D. President & CEO Gary P. Bell Chairman, Board of Directors The rae assisted with osetting costs for programs like this one for the children of military families. 1 2017 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 3 10/16/18 8:24 AM DASEF 2017 Annual Report ABOUT DASEF Founded in 1989, the DASEF (Delaware Aerospace Education Foundation), an independent non-prot 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 2017 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 4 10/16/18 8:21 AM Wisdom Begins with Wonder 2017 COMPREHENSIVE FINANCIAL STATEMENT MISSION: Following are comprehensive nancial statements excerpted from DASEF’s Fiscal Year 2017 (January 1, 2017 To inspire and educate the people – December 31, 2017) audit performed by the accounting of the Delaware Valley in learning rm of BBD, LLP, Certied Public Accountants, Philadelphia, about Earth’s environment, Earth Pennsylvania. Complete audited statements are available from DASEF upon request. and space science, technology, engineering and mathematics through the use of academies, BALANCE SHEET - DECEMBER 31, 2017 presentations, symposiums, Assets professional development, events, Cash and Equivalents $279,407 and activities and the resources of Investments 27,812 DASEF’s Environmental Outpost. Property and Equipment (Net) 11,165,847 CORE VALUES: Total Assets $11,473,066 • Integrity and compassion Liabilities and Net Assets • Responsible decision making Accounts Payable $22,720 • Environmental stewardship Net Assets 11,450,346 • Innovation, exploration, Total Liabilities and Net Assets $11,473,066 and discovery VISION: STATEMENT OF REVENUE/EXPENSES - To create an exceptional learning For the Year Ending DECEMBER 31, 2017 environ ment that inspires Revenues children and their fami lies with Contributions and Grants $207,009 a sense of appreciation for Earth and its place in the universe. Tuition and Programs 162,986 Other Revenue 14,005 Total Revenues $384,000 Expenses Program Expenses $364,055 General and Administrative Expenses 33,189 Fundraising 4,635 Total Expenses $401,879 Decrease in Net Assets $17,879 Since 1994, DASEF has awarded $245,000 in scholarships to over 1,260 Cadets. Educating and InspiringEducating 3 2017 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 5 10/16/18 8:21 AM DASEF 2017 Annual Report DASEF’S LIBRARY AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS DASEF: Explore, Discover, and Learn..... Serving all Schools, Teachers, and the Public DASEF offers youth programs available to libraries and preschool children that create an exceptional learning envi- ronment that inspires children and their families with a sense of appreciation for Earth and its place in the universe. The DASEF vision is driven by the belief that “Wisdom Begins with Wonder.” By linking outreach with real-life experi- ence, it is our expectation that learning will contribute measurably to enriching young children in Delaware. Children listen to a story about polar bears. Piper the Polar Bear is a unique part of the program. Young children learn about the constellations. Kids enjoy activities from our Think it, Children construct polar bear puppets. Build it, Test it program at the library. Annual Participation Growth Since 2007 30,000 25,000 25,225 25,747 (12/31/175) 24,315 23,888 20,000 21,309 19,398 15,000 16,980 13,077 10,000 7,508 5,000 5,358 3,032 0 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Calendar Year Copyright © 2007-2017 by the Delaware AeroSpace Education Foundation. All rights reserved. 4 2017 DASEF_AnnualRpt.indd 6 10/16/18 8:21 AM Wisdom Begins with Wonder PROGRAMS IN THE COMMUNITY DASEF Program Participants 2016 and 2017 Calendar Years School Students by Grade Level: 2016 2017 Pre-K 395 268 Kindergarten 517 500 First 1040 1676 Second 2207 1694 Third 860 625 Fourth 1025 817 Fifth 495 470 Subtotal Students 6539 6050 School Students by School Type: Public 4784 4396 Parochial 158 140 Private 1312 1214 Public Charter 285 300 Subtotal Students 6539 6050 Using a periscope kit , an Agilent volunteer assists young women in construction. School Students by County: Kent 2796 2305 Sussex 1165 1041 New Castle 2578 2704 Subtotal Students 6539 6050 Number of Schools by County: Kent 47 40 Sussex 14 15 New Castle 49 45 Subtotal Schools 110 100 Outreach Participants: Public 2940 3785 Parochial 0 69 Private 1190 915 Public Charter 0 0 Kent 845 1115 Sussex 647 0 Shown is a sampling of kits donated to DASEF on a monthly basis by Agilent Technologies.