Science City merger to bolster local STEM education
June 30, 2016 | Bobby Burch
Officials leading the merger of two non-profit science organizations hope their combined efforts will translate to more STEM professionals in Kansas City.
A science museum, Union Station’s Science City is merging with Kansas City-based Science Pioneers to offer complementary science events, activities and programs. The merger — which will be complete July 1 — aims to create a stronger STEM community in Kansas City.
Founded in 1956, Science Pioneers is a non-profit organization that hosts the Greater Kansas City Science & Engineering Fair. The fair is among the oldest and largest showcase events in the U.S. for student scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.
Union Station CEO George Guastello said the merger represents a major opportunity for science education in Kansas City.
“The opportunity to bring the deep experience and outreach of Science Pioneers to our table was perfectly timed,” Guastello said in a release. “We simply can’t imagine a better union between two brands with common purpose and community-affirmed outcomes.”
The merger arrives nearly a year after Science City earned international recognition for its offerings. In September, Science City was one of only two museums to earn the EDGIE Award for visitor experience, an award doled out by the Association of Science-Technology Centers. At 80,000-square-feet, Science City features hundreds of interactive exhibits and in 2017 will expand to a new outdoor space.
LeAnn Smith, executive director of Science Pioneers, said that the merger is great news for STEM education in Kansas City.
“This is what innovation looks like,” Smith said in a release. “By bringing together complementary but not overlapping programs, we create a stronger organization that’s capable of delivering even greater support for STEM learning in Kansas City, all in a vibrant, internationally-recognized and energy-filled science center.”
Smith will become director of STEM programming and outreach at Science City. Tom Sack, CEO of MRIGlobal and the board director of Science Pioneers will join the Union Station board.
Featured Business
2016 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Becca Castro redesigned, rebooted LaunchKC; now she’ll lead KCSourceLink, one of KC’s premier startup champions
KCSourceLink’s new director and network builder brings more than two decades of experience and a shared passion for helping aspiring and seasoned entrepreneurs grow their businesses, leaders of the organization said Tuesday. Becca Castro, who most recently led LaunchKC from within the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City (EDCKC), begins the role Aug. 19. “I’m…
Venture for America abruptly closes; ending fellowship that matched talent with KC startups, VCs
A coast-to-coast fellowship program that sought to reinvigorate communities — including Kansas City — by pairing recent college graduates with emerging startups, investment firms, and nonprofits has unexpectedly ceased operations, leaders with Venture for America announced this week. “While this chapter for our national organization is closing, the spirit and impact of VFA will endure through…
Award-winning chef fights eviction from 2000 Vine space; attorney calls legal action ‘last resort’
Efforts to resolve a dispute over The Prospect KC’s cafe, grocery and culinary training space at 2000 Vine Street have been fruitless, said Chef Shanita McAfee-Bryant, noting she still hopes to “achieve an equitable and reasonable resolution.” 2000 Vine Street LLC and its owner Timothy Duggan have filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of…
Grants competition returning with $55K for each winner; LaunchKC Liftoff applications open Aug. 14
LaunchKC leaders’ hopes and expectations for the popular competition’s grant-winning entrepreneurs go far beyond their final pitches, said Jim Erickson. “We want all of them to grow and prosper. We want, in 20 to 30 years, for us to be able to drive downtown and see skyscrapers with LaunchKC companies’ names on it, having driven…