Opinion: Discovery Space needs your continued support
Science has never been more important in our lives than it is today — to understand the pandemic, its treatments and prevention; to comprehend climate change, causes and implications; and to apply technology, for business or pleasure. We learn about science, the facts and methodology, through a variety of avenues beyond formal education.
As I observed during my time as undersecretary for science at the Smithsonian, museums and science centers are pivotal in serving to inspire and educate. Walking in and out of the science museums on the national mall, I would skirt the long lines to get in, dodging the children whose laughter and excitement filled the air. What a privilege for the American people to have access to such incredible resources. However, even with 30-plus million visitors/year to the Smithsonian, most American families never get to visit, and if so, only once in a lifetime. That certainly is true for children in central Pennsylvania.
We in the Centre Region are fortunate that almost 10 years ago, a group of forward-thinking community members established Discovery Space.
Today Discovery Space is a science center and a makerspace (The Rivet), along with an arm that provides outreach to a 10-county area. The benefits that Discovery Space offers to our region cannot be overstated. For many children this is their only experience with science beyond the classroom. Through hands-on activities, and structured and informal programming, Discovery Space staff help children and adults discover the joy of science while learning fundamental principles that explain the physical and natural world. What could be more important for every community member than a well-developed appreciation for science? It helps inform all of us as we grapple with so many questions faced by society.
In good times, visitors can enjoy the exhibits on the floor of Discovery Space. Children have the opportunity to participate in summer camps, pre-K programs and field trips. Staff conduct many outreach activities including school visits designed to reach well beyond the State College perimeter. The recent addition of The Rivet is intended to teach skills to all ages from teens trying to figure out future careers, to entrepreneurs interested in building a prototype, to seniors wanting to hone a skill or develop a new hobby. Participants at The Rivet have the chance to work with technology-guided equipment individuals might never be able to afford to own themselves.
Even during the pandemic Discovery Space continues to offer a suite of virtual programs for all ages, small classes at The Rivet, and a few in-person programs at the science center.
Discovery Space is a nonprofit organization, which operates largely with resources from donations and memberships. Like its sister organizations here in Centre County and across the nation, this pandemic is seeing a decline in memberships as benefits are less apparent. In the normal late fall/early winter season, many think about giving as a way to support the community. With the challenges facing so many during the pandemic it is important for those of us who can, to continue to support the organizations like Discovery Space that serve to enrich the lives of our whole region now and into the future. Please renew your memberships and support this organization and others so they can continue to serve the region, now and when life returns to normal.