Statewide Science, Education and Equity Initiative
The pandemic has created challenges for Minnesota families, schools and communities like never before. Throughout this crisis the Science Museum has remained true to its commitment to be a statewide resource for science and education that centers equity. This was demonstrated by our pivot to the development and delivery of online content accessible for users throughout Minnesota. We are excited to welcome back audiences to a safe and engaging museum experience. Helping all of our audiences see themselves in science and relevance of science in their daily lives is more important than ever.
This biennium, in response to an ever changing world, the Science Museum will build upon our experience to develop the next generation of programs and resources for families, communities and schools. We will seek to understand and respond to the impact of COVID on our audiences. Through a collaborative program development model with families, communities and schools we will expand access to our research and collections, develop the next generation of digital and in person learning experiences for family groups and students, and build the capacity of schools and communities to address equity and access in STEM participation.
The Arts and Cultural Heritage fund will continue to provide and supplement critical support for the Science Museum to build the skills and systems needed to develop and deliver innovative, impactful, and relevant learning experiences for families, schools and communities throughout Minnesota in this new, post-pandemic environment.
$679,000 the first year and $679,000 the second year are to the Science Museum of Minnesota for arts, arts education, and arts access and to preserve Minnesota's history and cultural heritage, including student and teacher outreach, statewide educational initiatives, and community-based exhibits that preserve Minnesota's history and cultural heritage.
$4,326,200 the first year and $4,326,200 the second year are to the Minnesota Public Television Association for production and acquisition grants according to Minnesota Statutes,?section 129D.18.
This project is grounded in and designed to exemplify the Science Museum's core values of Equity, Collaboration and Learning. Through a collaborative process that engages diverse communities, we will learn together how the museum's resources and collections can be utilized to create greater access to new programs centered around equity. Towards this end, the project has three broad measurable outcomes:
1. Realigned program offerings that meet the needs expressed by Minnesota residents: through conversations with Minnesota residents (prioritizing voices for equity), SMM will imagine and create new activities and educational offerings centered around SMM's collections that address the current needs expressed by Minnesotans.
2. Increased access to the SMM collection for all Minnesotans: through ongoing efforts to share objects online, make them easy to find, and publicize this resource, SMM will work to make our collection more accessible to all Minnesotans.
3. Relevant STEM programming provided through broad access to SMM programs: New and existing high quality programs will be delivered to Minnesota schools, families, and communities, in line with the current needs as gathered through outcome 1 and other sources.