Network Led by Museum of Discovery Wins National Science Museum Award
Little Rock, Ark. (Oct. 23) – The Discovery Network, a statewide program of the Museum of Discovery, has won the 2017 Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award for Business Practice from the Association of Science-Technology Centers (ASTC), an international organization of more than 600 science centers and museums dedicated to encouraging public engagement with science among diverse audiences. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in the administration and financial sustainability of an ASTC-member institution annually.
The Discovery Network, a consortium of museums, library systems, schools, university STEM centers and a Head Start program in Arkansas, received the award for its membership growth, its financial impact on network members and statewide STEM programming expansion. The award was announced over the weekend during ASTC’s annual conference in San Jose, CA.
“Four Museum of Discovery team members are focused full-time on providing exceptional value to the 20 members of the Network, and everyone at the museum is committed to this critically important outreach program,” says Kelley Bass, museum CEO. “I’m glad all four, including new director Pody Gay, could be in San Jose to accept this award. We’ve long known the impact the rapidly growing Discovery Network is having, and this national award validates its importance.”
The Discovery Network was initiated in 2006 with funding from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation with the goal of making hands-on, interactive STEM learning more accessible to the state’s school children and their families. The network provides high-quality professional development and training opportunities to its members’ educational staff.
The network’s member organizations are located strategically throughout Arkansas to extend outreach to all areas. Network members receive support through workshops, exhibits, educational resources and programming. Network members include:
- Museum of Discovery, Little Rock (Hub)
- Arkansas Museum of Natural Resources, Smackover
- Arkansas State University Museum, Jonesboro
- Arkansas Tech University STEM Institute, Russellville
- Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, Pine Bluff
- Baxter County Library, Mountain Home
- Cabe Middle School, Gurdon
- Calico Rock Museum Foundation, Calico Rock
- Carroll & Madison County Library System
- Central Arkansas Library System, Little Rock
- Central High School, Helena-West Helena
- Gurdon High School
- Gurdon Primary School
- Henderson State University STEM Center, Arkadelphia
- Holy Souls Catholic School, Little Rock
- Mid-America Science Museum, Hot Springs
- Mississippi County, Arkansas Economic Opportunity Commission, Blytheville
- Scott Family Amazeum, Bentonville
- Texarkana Museum System, Texarkana
- Westside Elementary, Greenbrier
For more information on the Discovery Network, contact Ginsie Simmons at (501) 537-3081 or gsimmons@museumofdiscovery.org.
About Discovery Network
The Discovery Network, a statewide program of the Museum of Discovery, provides high-quality professional development and training opportunities to its members’ educational staff. Essentially, the Discovery Network is the way in which the Museum of Discovery supports other educational entities in their efforts to bring quality STEM education to their learners. The Network’s member organizations are located strategically throughout Arkansas to extend outreach to all areas. Network members support each other by sharing operational strategies, collaborating with teachers and expanding educational programs. Each of the members is dedicated to providing the highest quality educational experience to the children, families and teachers of Arkansas.
About Museum of Discovery
Museum of Discovery is dedicated to igniting a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts and math in a dynamic, interactive environment. Founded in 1927, Museum of Discovery is the oldest museum in the state.
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