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Support Opportunities
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General Information  |
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Membership
more >> |
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 ShopforMuseums.com is a museum fundraising site that allows you to shop with some
of your favorite online retailers and benefit The Discovery Museum
at the same time! It's very easy to use. Simply log in, select
your home state (CT) and the museum you wish to support (The Discovery
Museum and Planetarium, we hope), use the Shopping Directory to
go to your favorite retailer and then make your electronic purchases
as usual. The rest is automatic. Your selected nonprofit organization
will receive a donation with no added cost to you. Each participating
retailer is listed, along with the percentage of your purchase
that will be donated. Examples of vendors include Apple
iTunes, Amazon.com, Brookstone, Expedia, Petsmart, The Sharper Image,
Target and many more. So whether you are in the market for
upscale toys, gifts, apparel, computers, or songs for your new iPod
Nano,
the place to begin shopping is with ShopforMuseums.com.
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Discovery is at the heart of our mission. At the Discovery
Museum, we embrace the challenge to inspire questioning and
exploration by students, parents and teachers. We do this
by providing a fun, safe environment that introduces informal
learning through engaging exhibits, Planetarium shows, live
presentations, and classroom programs. We extend our influence
beyond our physical walls, and provide outreach programs.
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Mission
& History |
The Discovery Museum, Inc.
is an independent 501(c)3 organization operated by a Board
of Trustees. It is not affiliated with any government entity.
The Discovery Museum and
Planetarium's mission is to educate, excite, and engage
visitors in the exploration of science, technology, and
ideas through interactive experiences that promote new insights.
The Museum seeks to enhance public understanding of the
science and technology by providing instructive experiences
encouraging participant interaction with hands-on physical
science exhibits, Planetarium programs, the Challenger Learning
Center and various other educational programs. The Museum
provides a broad range of educational programs in science
and technology, as well as in the area where the two disciplines
interact. We draw individuals and school children from across
the Tri-State area. Last year over 68,000 young people enjoyed
our many interactive exhibits and educational programs.
The Museum is accredited by the American Association of
Museums (AAM) and is a member of the Association of Science
and Technology Centers (ASTC).
HISTORY
The Museum was founded in 1958 and opened to the public
in 1962 as the only non-historical multi-disciplinary Museum
in the Greater Bridgeport area. Early exhibits ranged from
the natural and physical sciences too decorative and fine
arts. During the 1970’s and 1980’s, local manufacturing
businesses were, to a large extent, replaced by high technology
industries. Faced with the increased concern about science
literacy, educators expressed the need for assistance in
teaching the physical sciences. In response to community
needs, the Board of Trustees redefined the mission of the
Museum to focus on two distinct areas: Science and Technology.
A master plan was developed which included the renovation
of the facility, installation of 55 interactive science
exhibits, and improved gallery space. As a result of the
changes enacted beginning in 1985, attendance has risen
from 23,000 on-site visitors to over 100,000 on and off-site
visitors. In 1991 with the help of area corporations and
the State of Connecticut, the Challenger Learning Center
was installed as the only center of its kind within New
England and the 6th nationwide.
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With
Special thanks to The Connecticut Commission on Culture and
Tourism for their continued financial support. Click on the
image below to learn more about the commission.
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Call
the Development Office for more info @ 203.372.3521 |
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