As 2007 draws to a close, the Sci-Tech Discovery Board of Directors
thanks you for your continued interest and support of our mission
to provide dynamic, interactive math, science and technology experiences
that inspire Collin County students and their families. We are working
to meet the local and national demand to grow our own scientists,
mathematicians and engineers. Unlike our years of blockbuster summer
exhibits, its been a year of quiet, albeit high-quality activities
as well as one full of administrative building and growth. Heres
what weve been up to since we last updated you in the Spring.
Summer Sustainability Project
On July 1st area families joined Sci-Tech Discovery Center at Central
Market in Plano to welcome Dartmouth College s Big Green Bus. With
the goal of educating the public about the issues of sustainable
energy, the students made us their first stop in Texas as they journeyed
across the country in a bus converted to run on waste vegetable oil.
Participants enjoyed tours of the bus, demonstrations of the workings
of the converted turbo diesel engine, and educational games along
with music and crafts. The exhibit promoted our commitment to the
environment, energy saving research, and mind-stretching fun. Information
about the bus and other sustainable energy links are available on
Sci-Techs website: http://www.mindstretchingfun.org/pages/fun-bgb-links.html.
Sci-Tech Discovery Center s Board Chairman, Kelly Palmer, said of
the event, This was a great way to increase awareness of a current
science topic and promote our goal of building a science museum in
Collin County . The future Sci-Tech Discovery Center will provide
interesting and relevant experiences and educational opportunities
about math, science and technology for families and students of all
ages.
Balloon Fun
In September Sci-Tech participated for a second time in the annual
Plano Balloon Festival. In various locations on the festival grounds
Sci-Tech posted large banners that provided science facts in fun
ways to educate attendees about the science behind ballooning.
Engineering Futures Through Collaboration
On October 15th, Sci-Tech Discovery Center partnered with corporate
and education entities in the Hi-TECCC coalition to host Engineering
Your Future through Math and Science at Williams High School in Plano
. Middle-school students and their parents were invited to take part
in an evening that featured engineering innovations demonstrating
how math, science and technology education can lead to dynamic careers
and future success. Exciting demonstrations, speakers, and exhibits
as well as college admission and scholarship information were offered.
Sci-Tech developed and presented a 20-minute interactive program
demonstrating the technology and math behind Global Positioning Systems
for one of the break-out sessions.
Innovation Rewarded
To acknowledge the creativity and enjoyment that accompanies the work of area
science fair teams, two Sci-Tech Discovery Center Mind-Stretching Fun Awards
debuted earlier this year. Inspired by the work of Regional Science Fair participants,
Sci-Tech was pleased to bestow the first two Sci-Tech Discovery Center Mind-Stretching
Fun Awards to deserving teams in the Junior and Senior Physical Science categories.
Winners of the junior division team, Monica N. and Erin P, are avid cyclists
who explored forces on velodromes. Winning in the senior division was Tien
D. who chose to explore an ionized air missile destroyer. Each winning team
participant received a trophy puzzle as well as a cash gift.
What's Next
The Board has recently instituted a search for a full-time Director of Development
and is working with a real estate consultant in search of 10,000-15,000 square
feet of space to use as an interim facility. The Board continues to study industry
best practices through its affiliation with the Association of Science and
Technology Centers and the Association of Childrens Museums. Various board
members also visited other museums: The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose,
CA; The Discovery Science Place in Tyler, TX; The Computer History Museum in
Mountain View , CA; The Childrens Museum of Maine; The Science Center of Iowa;
Kohl Childrens Museum in Illinois; and The Fleet Museum of Science in San Diego,
to name a few.
Sci-Tech Discovery Center continues to work to develop or procure high quality
outreach programs and is committed to finding a temporary home for the organization
prior to the ultimate goal of building a permanent facility. Community support
is vital to this effort and we are encouraged by the publics interest in our
programs.
Sci-Tech Mission
To provide a dynamic, interactive experience that inspires people
of all ages and backgrounds to embrace discovery and innovation through
the exploration of math, science and technology.
