Chabot Space & Science Center Awarded Major Federal Grant for Teen Program

OAKLAND, Calif., July 23, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Chabot Space & Science Center has been awarded a $150,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services 2012 Museums for America Program to support and expand the Center's teen education program the Galaxy Explorers & Champions of Science.

The program, now in its 15th year, engages over 200 students in grades six through twelve each year in out-of-school, year-round programs. The purpose of the program is to enhance their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) knowledge and proficiency through hands-on, standards-based science enrichment and experimentation; to provide students with meaningful and challenging volunteer and work experience; to allow them to build crucial interpersonal and professional development skills; and to give them an opportunity to give back to their communities through science outreach.

Grant funds will be deployed to support enhancements to the Champions of Science which specifically targets underserved Oakland middle school students from 6th grade through 8th grade and their transition into high school Galaxy Explorers.  

The program, which boasts that 100% of 12th grade program participants the last four years have matriculated to college, has successfully launched large numbers of teens into pursuing STEM degrees, and many have gone onto science and technology careers at companies like Google, Lockheed Martin, and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Recent major funders of the program include the S.D. Bechtel Jr. Foundation, Chevron, NASA, and the Miranda Lux Foundation.

"We are thrilled to receive this prestigious grant award, and are honored to have our educational successes recognized at the national level through this funding," said Etta Heber, Director of Education at Chabot, "Our goal is to inspire our students to go into STEM careers. Chabot, and other science centers like us, play an important role in developing lifelong learners and a robust science-educated workforce."

Chabot was among 152 other organizations around the country, including 7 in the Bay Area that received Museums for America funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services totaling $18,113,376.  "Congratulations to the Museums for America grantees," said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth. "This year's funded projects reflect the wide array of museum types in the country. In every case IMLS funds are supporting initiatives that advance an institution's strategic plan for the benefit of the community it serves."

SOURCE Chabot Space & Science Center