STEM Center for Education and Career Development Receives $100,000 Challenge Grant

The Museum of Discovery and Science received $100,000 challenge grant from the Salah Foundation to aid in a public appeal to raise funds for the Museum's STEM Center for Education and Career Development. The programs of the center advance public engagement in science, technology, engineering, and math. The appeal will run through December 31, 2015.

"We are pleased to provide the catalyst to generate the necessary funding and public awareness for MODS STEM Center programs. The Salah Foundation is committed to building a stronger community by elevating the level of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math education," said Salah Foundation Board Member, George Taylor.

Museum President and CEO, Kim Cavendish said, "We are grateful to have the Salah Foundation support our STEM Center initiative with such a generous gift. The challenge grant will help propel our fundraising efforts to support programs that advance knowledge of and engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math."

The Salah Foundation has generously committed a $100,000 Challenge Grant to aid in a public appeal to raise funds for the MODS STEM Center programs to help support existing initiatives and create additional STEM education programs. The Salah Foundation will match gifts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 and will be applied 1:1 to the Challenge Grant.

The Museum's STEM Center for Education and Career Development is a Museum initiative that seeks to prepare students for success by raising the level of STEM education, instruction, and career interest and to create a science literate community by increasing awareness of and engagement in STEM. Several STEM Center programs currently being supported by local sponsors include:

APP-titude Internship for High School Students

APP-titude is a new two-year internship for 35 Broward County juniors who will earn volunteer service hours, college credit, and a stipend while advancing their knowledge in STEM through developing apps. Students learn through an immersion experience at the Museum and participate in Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering and Computer Science's three-week, dual-enrollment course in July 2015. During the second year, interns will mentor the incoming students, and continue working on APP development. This program is in partnership with United Way of Broward County.

Discovering Success: An Initiative to Increase High School Graduation through STEM

The Museum has partnered with Crystal Lake Middle School to develop an extended learning experience for students who need support in reading and math. The initiative serves students through a personalized environment and incorporates their parents/families through workshops and significant child/family incentives. Support provided by The Anna Bloeser Fund and the Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund through the Community Foundation of Broward.

Family Science3

This is part of our Museum on Wheels programs that bring science programming out in the community. The MODS Educator team was awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Broward Partnership for the Homeless in 2013 for creating complimentary curriculums for displaced families. Support provided by A.D. Henderson Foundation.

New Ages of Discovery

As a component of MODS' early education programming in partnership with the Broward County Head Start program, this comprehensive learning experience through science education for children ages 3 and 4 helps prepare children so that by kindergarten they have a solid foundation for learning that will impact their life-long academic performance and success. Support provided by A.D. Henderson Foundation.

New Discoveries: Inspiring Youth through STEM

This initiative provides professional mentoring and guidance for youth. High achieving high school students between the ages of 14 and 16 have an opportunity to grow and discover themselves while increasing their knowledge of and curiosity in STEM. Students produce a presentation or community awareness project that illuminates a basic science principle or issue for the general public audience. The process aims to increase their self confidence, sense of self, and communication and leadership skills. Support provided by The Helene and William Shillington Fund and the Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund through the Community Foundation of Broward.

Ocean Explorers - Camp for Middle School Students

Museum partnered with FAU's SeaTech to provide a week long exploration of coastal marine and coral reef ecosystems. Campers conduct estuary and barrier island field work and tour FAU's ocean engineering and electronics labs, submarine, and flow tunnel, learn about sea turtles, marine science careers, and design, build, and race a solar-powered boat. Support provided by The Jerry Taylor & Nancy Bryant Foundation.

Transition To Independent Living (TIL)

The TIL Program is a paid internship mentor program for young adults aging out of foster care. The program provides youth an opportunity to develop basic job skills, discover career aptitudes and become exposed to different career paths to help them achieve self-sufficiency. Supported by The Jim Moran Foundation, A.D. Henderson Foundation, The Jones Family Foundation and The Fritch Foundation. Other supporters for the STEM Center Include American Express, Ford Motor Company Fund, HI Foundation, IBM Corporation, Leo Goodwin Foundation and MacGillivray Freeman Films Educational Foundation.