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Together, we can create a world where we all share in the promise of science. Help us turn the tide toward scientific literacy, to unlock a better future co-created by informed global citizens.
The Problem: Increasingly, people are disconnected from science and technology because it changes so rapidly. They lose their power to engage in our tech-driven world. Public trust in science erodes. Science museums have historically engaged learners at the pace of exhibit development – we need to move faster to stay relevant and useful. We also must build upon our financial foundation so that the capacity to adapt is secure.
Our Response: We will expand access to and understanding of science, encourage science equity, convene the community, and meet people with the information they need and want. We will make cutting-edge science and technology learning experiences accessible and relevant through our Centers for Public Science Learning. We will Transform Spaces into ones that are immersive and interactive, meaningful and fun, with the ability to adapt quickly to the pace of change. And we will build the endowment to ensure the Museum’s Enduring Impact for generations to come.
Led by directors whose networks connect them to leading scientists in Boston and beyond, the Centers will bring together academia, industry, government, and the public to create a vision for – and a commitment to – making cutting-edge science and technology accessible and relevant for all. The Centers will translate this vision into learning experiences in museums, in classrooms, and online. The result is hope. People will be inspired to understand and use current science and technology. They will see a place for themselves in our science-driven world. Trust in science will grow.
The Center for Life Sciences enables people to understand, make good choices about, and engage with the life sciences. The result is an engaged public, increased trust, and a sense of optimism for the future.
Through the Center for the Environment, people can experience the power of current science and technology to help humanity mitigate and adapt to climate change. The result is hope, and the inspiration to act.
The Center for Space Sciences aims to increase public understanding of astronomy and space exploration. The result is wonder for the universe and excitement to explore our own place in it.
Inviting everyone to take part in pioneering technological solutions to global challenges, the Center for Tech and Engineering will help the public better understand technology—and understand that we are all engineers.
As AI, big data and machine learning take on an ever-larger role in society, the Center for Data Science and AI will help the public understand how they work and their often hidden functions in our lives.
The ethical issue we confront is the need for the public to understand these emerging technologies, which are coming whether we like it or not. There’s a pressing need for communication, for the Museum to bring more people to the conversation.
The campaign will transform key spaces in the Museum’s Blue Wing to connect people with cutting-edge science; convene people across ideas, sectors and communities through a new Public Science Forum; and open the Museum to the river.
The dynamic new MOS spaces will adjust to meet the needs of the moment and create experiences that present science at the pace of change.
A dynamic new Public Science Forum will change quickly to meet the needs of Museum and community programming, transforming the Museum from a place people visit to a place where every person feels at home.
Our beloved Butterfly Garden will evolve into a Live Animal Garden filled with compelling, ecosystem-focused exhibits, that bring our animal collection into conversation with the most pressing topics of the day, from climate change and life science research to the local ecology of the Charles.
A new modular, customizable exhibit space adjacent to the Forum will dovetail with live event programming. A Common Ground space will showcase the work of our Centers for Public Science Learning. An Immersive Room will offer wraparound digital media and interactive experiences. A Deep Dive space will enable in-depth engagement on key topics.
When people experience awe and wonder, that heightened emotional state makes understanding richer. We are creating that inspiration and understanding around topics of critical importance to the community. That’s how we build trust and confidence in science. That’s how we create the conditions for change.
Endowment gifts to the Museum of Science help us provide greater access, greater speed, and greater reach. Through a strong endowment, we will elevate creativity, bolster knowledge creation, and ensure that we have the resources to keep our promises.
Fiscal strength means being able to think big, to capitalize on the intellectual capital within and outside our walls, and power digital access worldwide to reach more people in more places more consistently.
Together, we can create a world where we all share in the promise of science. Help us turn the tide toward scientific literacy, to unlock a better future co-created by informed global citizens.