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
Triple (stitched) threat: Olathe apparel shop brings design, sewing, printing in-house with shirts hitting store shelves soon
Adam Worrel’s vision for a fabric-to-finish apparel and screen printing business is finally sewing itself together — nearly 4,000 miles from where it began — with a label made in KC. First formulating the idea in 2010, he imagined creating a line with production and printing in-house and as much control over the supply chain as…
Why employers should hire veterans: KC entrepreneurs say combat prepared them for startup life
Effectively communicating the skills and experiences gained from military service can be a major challenge for veterans, said Zachary Oshinbanjo. Too often that disconnect contributes to unemployment or mental health struggles when a service member returns to civilian life. “Many veterans may have gone straight from high school into the military and now are looking…
How did KC land Meta, Panasonic megaprojects? Infrastructure, energy and enthusiasm, companies say
Kansas City is one of America’s most exciting and dynamic cities, said Matt Sexton, making it the ideal choice to build out a nearly 1 million-square-foot data center for Meta, the tech behemoth behind Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.. “There are a lot of sites around the country that might have one or two qualities that…
Bank partners with Porter House to give out more than hugs; Meet four latest KC grant recipients
Cameron Martin understands the importance of scaling deep into the community that inspired his journey and first fed the business he built with his wife, Tameisha, he said. The co-owners of Love is Key — a waffle-centric brunch restaurant and catering concept in the former Soulcentricitea space on Troost Avenue — were awarded a $15,000…