The Edgerton Explorit Center is excited to announce Science for the Disadvantaged, a new scholarship program for schools. Funded by a grant from the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation, this program allows the Edgerton Center to award scholarships, making our science programming accessible to schools across the state of Nebraska and to help us change students’ often negative perception of science.
Scholarships come in the form of discounts to schools for our programming based on the percentage of students qualifying for the free and reduced lunch program. For example, a school having 50% of their students qualifying for the program, if approved for a scholarship, would receive a 50% discount for either a field trip to the Center or Edgerton On The Move program. The number of scholarships are limited and awarded to schools with the highest need and on a first come, first served basis.
To apply for a Science for the Disadvantaged scholarship a school must:
1. Fill out a scholarship application at www.edgerton.org/sftd
2. Schedule a date for their field trip or Edgerton On The Move Program. Preference will be given to programs scheduled October-February. Please note that some dates may not be available due to prior commitments.
3. Be willing to provide pre and post survey feedback
The Edgerton Explorit Center’s programming is based on the philosophy of our namesake, Harold “Doc” Edgerton, an Aurora native and the inventor of the electronic strobe flash. A quote of Doc’s summarizes our approach to teaching science: “Teach people in a way that they don’t realize they are learning until it is too late.” The Center gears its science activities towards exciting students about science while having fun.
Participants may choose either a field trip to the Center or an Edgerton On The Move (EOTM) program. A field trip includes opportunities to explore the Explorit Zone, which consists of hands-on exhibits providing insight into various scientific principles. Over the past two years, the Center has added over $260,000 worth of new exhibits to the Explorit Zone; we continue adding new and better exhibits for the best possible visitor experience. A field trip also includes two live science demonstrations presented by our dynamic educators who specialize in bringing science to life with fun, interactive demonstrations.
EOTM programming includes the traveling Explorit Zone, featuring over 30 hands-on exhibits and activities for students to explore, plus the same demonstrations offered at the center but performed on location at the school.
Hands-on lab activities offer yet another learning opportunity. Done in small group settings, labs offer the chance for our educators to work with teachers and students in creating a project to take home. Labs can be part of either a field trip or an EOTM program.
We encourage you to take a look at our programming options and apply for a scholarship quickly, as they will go fast. The Edgerton Explorit Center’s staff and board of directors are passionate about making science education available to all students regardless of economic resources. We are excited to be partnering with the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation to help bring our dynamic science education to your students.
Contact Mary Molliconi at 402-694-4032 or mary@edgerton.org if you have any questions or need additional information.