Grassroots Science Museum Collaborative
In 1990, eight science and technology centers in North Carolina associated in order to strengthen the programs of each and to establish
a Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative (GSMC). Beginning in 1992, the N.C. General Assembly authorized an appropriation to
support the museums of the statewide collaborative. The funding has allowed member institution to strengthen their programs and to
promote science education throughout the state of North Carolina. The collaborative now includes twenty-five science centers and two
affiliates.
The goals of the GSMC are to:
* Improve the public understanding of science and technology.
* Enhance science education in schools and communities throughout the state of North Carolina.
* Enhance member institution’s efforts to develop exhibits, programs and scientific collections that focus on the basic sciences and related
technological applications.
* Serve as a vehicle for planning and conducting cooperative projects that strengthen services provided by member institutions across
North Carolina.
Grassroots museums annually serve millions of citizens through general visitation, teacher training and special programs. Programs
include both onsite and offsite presentations and reach students in every North Carolina school district. For every state dollar allocated to
Grassroots museums, the institutions raise twelve dollars of private and government support. An example is a generous endowment from
Burroughs Welcome Fund that is assisting museums in the pursuit of statewide science initiatives. Our first such project was titled
Mathematics = Easy as Pi. This celebration of mathematics engaged families and school groups across all of North Carolina and centered
around “Pi Day” on March 14 (3.14). The Collaborative is presently committing financial resources in the development of other shared
exhibits and programs. Topics include Genetics, climate change and mathematical patterns.
Grassroots Science Museums annually:
* Contribute more than 36 million dollars to North Carolina’s economy
* Welcome over 2 million visitors
* Provide professional development to 3000 teachers
* Benefit from volunteer services at a value of 2.1 million dollars
* Provide employment for over 500 North Carolina citizens
The Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative is unique among museums nationwide. That uniqueness is a source of professional pride
and the generator of many inquiries from within North Carolina, across the nation and beyond. Through Grassroots, science museums
are addressing statewide issues relating to: community development, commerce, tourism, and basic math/science instruction. Ongoing
support from the State of North Carolina has made all of this possible.
For more information regarding how GSMC member institutions serve the state-wide community, please see Serving North Carolina.
In 1990, eight science and technology centers in North Carolina associated in order to strengthen the programs of each and to establish
a Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative (GSMC). Beginning in 1992, the N.C. General Assembly authorized an appropriation to
support the museums of the statewide collaborative. The funding has allowed member institution to strengthen their programs and to
promote science education throughout the state of North Carolina. The collaborative now includes twenty-five science centers and two
affiliates.
The goals of the GSMC are to:
* Improve the public understanding of science and technology.
* Enhance science education in schools and communities throughout the state of North Carolina.
* Enhance member institution’s efforts to develop exhibits, programs and scientific collections that focus on the basic sciences and related
technological applications.
* Serve as a vehicle for planning and conducting cooperative projects that strengthen services provided by member institutions across
North Carolina.
Grassroots museums annually serve millions of citizens through general visitation, teacher training and special programs. Programs
include both onsite and offsite presentations and reach students in every North Carolina school district. For every state dollar allocated to
Grassroots museums, the institutions raise twelve dollars of private and government support. An example is a generous endowment from
Burroughs Welcome Fund that is assisting museums in the pursuit of statewide science initiatives. Our first such project was titled
Mathematics = Easy as Pi. This celebration of mathematics engaged families and school groups across all of North Carolina and centered
around “Pi Day” on March 14 (3.14). The Collaborative is presently committing financial resources in the development of other shared
exhibits and programs. Topics include Genetics, climate change and mathematical patterns.
Grassroots Science Museums annually:
* Contribute more than 36 million dollars to North Carolina’s economy
* Welcome over 2 million visitors
* Provide professional development to 3000 teachers
* Benefit from volunteer services at a value of 2.1 million dollars
* Provide employment for over 500 North Carolina citizens
The Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative is unique among museums nationwide. That uniqueness is a source of professional pride
and the generator of many inquiries from within North Carolina, across the nation and beyond. Through Grassroots, science museums
are addressing statewide issues relating to: community development, commerce, tourism, and basic math/science instruction. Ongoing
support from the State of North Carolina has made all of this possible.
For more information regarding how GSMC member institutions serve the state-wide community, please see Serving North Carolina.
North Carolina Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative Dr. Fran Nolan, Executive Director c/o North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences 11 West Jones Street Raleigh, North Carolina 27601-1029 919.733.7450 Extension 260 |
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