COVID-19 MISSION & VISION 2019 HIGHLIGHTS DONORS FINANCIALS Sciencenter Report to the Community 2019
Message from the Director
In many ways, it feels strange to look back at last year given the COVID-19 crisis we are all currently navigating. Yet, now more than ever, we believe in the importance of our work and sparking young learners to explore, connect, and create through science. The work that we did in 2019 and that will continue throughout 2020 and beyond, will help inspire our next generation of scientists.
Our work in 2019—the programs, exhibits, accessibility efforts, community partnerships—laid a foundation for us to continue to provide science activities, innovate and research new exhibits, cultivate our animal collection, and foster research efforts amongst community partners, despite the museum being closed right now. We are so grateful for our local and national community and the support both have given the Sciencenter in years past, and now, in times of collective hardship. Thank you for joining us in looking back on 2019. Together, we will continue to cultivate a broad community of curious, confident, critical thinkers.
Our work in 2019 has supported our current pivot towards virtual engagement. Throughout this report we have included links that showcase these online experiences.
Our Mission is to cultivate a broad community of curious, confident, critical thinkers.
Our Vision is a world where people explore, connect, and create through science.
2019 Highlights
Through our Membership Access Program we provided free access to the museum for 531 families who qualified for free or reduced lunch at school.
An activity like Paper Mountains is easy to do at home because it requires few supplies.
We partnered with schools in rural communities including Moravia, Van Etten, Dryden, Enfield, and Odessa Montour to bring hands-on science to 1,041 students and their families.
At our Science Together programs, 1,952 parents and caregivers supported their young children’s early science learning through collaborative hands-on activities.
Learn how to make homemade slime with your young learner.
Over 700 children from Tompkins and Cayuga Counties designed and tested windmills and learned about sustainable energy through our free field trips.
We welcomed 294 Head Start families to special Family Science Nights at the Sciencenter.
We collaborated with over 420 scientists and STEM experts to develop exhibits, bring research to our floor, and provide hands-on experiences in current science for our visitors.
Through a partnership with the Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center, we provided 20 elementary school students a space to explore and expand their science interests after school.
We are leaders in the national museum field.
As part of the National Informal STEM Education Network, the Sciencenter takes a lead role in developing hands-on STEM activity tool kits used by 350 museums, universities, and planetariums nationwide.
Try Nebula Spin Art, an example of a NISE Network activity we helped develop.
Our team of exhibit design experts developed and fabricated three new exhibits that opened on our museum floor in 2019: Energy Labs, Pet Vet, and Changing Skies.
Our
Future Science Leaders became experts
in STEM and science communication through prototyping exhibits, partnering with science experts, and leading hands-on programs for our guests. Check
out The Future Scientists,
our FSLs.
a podcast created by
Thank you to our dedicated volunteers who provide additional handson learning opportunities for our visitors. With the help of our 197 volunteers, 20,554 visitors interacted with and learned about the animals in our Saltonstall Animal Room.
We are keeping the connection to our animal room alive through virtual visits and tours.
We are grateful for the generous support of our community.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DONORS
CATALYST SOCIETY
CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION SUPPORT
2019 by the Numbers
*Revenue does not include unrealized and realized gains/(losses) on investments. Revenue does include donations to the endowment. These 2019 financials are not yet audited.
Expenses $2,717,177 6% Fundraising 26% Grants 45% Earned Income 10% Donations 19% Endowment & Other 77% Exhibits & Programs 17% Administration Revenue* $2,968,013 Total Attendance: 107,413 10,022
49,003 visits by members
visits through access programs
48,388 visits by general admission guests Download 2019 Endowment Fund Report
Thank you for being a part of our 2019 journey and for continuing to support us throughout 2020 and the COVID-19 crisis. Like so many, we’re facing uncertainty around when we will reopen and how the museum experience might change post COVID-19. But, our creative, adaptive team are all committed to the Sciencenter’s mission and dedicated to moving it forward.
We’re glad that throughout this difficult time we are able to connect and engage with you and the children in your lives through weekly online science activities and animal room tours. We look forward to seeing you back at the museum when it’s safe for us to reopen.
601 1st Street Ithaca, NY 14850 607.272.0600 www.sciencenter.org Sciencenter 2019 Report to the Community
