The Dane G. Hansen Foundation has awarded the Cosmosphere $100,000 per year for the next five years to provide unique STEM educational opportunities to Northwest Kansas students. This announcement follows a successful fall semester of Cosmosphere outreach programs funded through a previous Hansen Foundation grant.
“The Cosmosphere has been an outstanding partner,” said Betsy Wearing, the Coordinator of Programs, Communications and New Initiatives for the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. “Students and educators are so excited with the STEM activities and lessons the Cosmosphere staff are bringing into the schools, and the Cosmosphere offers lessons for every grade level that adhere to Kansas curriculum standards. We could not be more pleased with this initiative and the professional staff at the Cosmosphere,” she added.
Nearly 17,000 students visited the Cosmosphere in 2018. This grant allows students who may not have the chance to travel to Hutchinson an opportunity to experience Cosmosphere education activities in their classroom.
“The Hansen Foundation trustees believe our classroom teachers do a great job, but also recognize that learning is enhanced when students can experience hands on educational opportunities – beyond the traditional classroom. For many of our rural schools, traveling to some of the amazing places in Kansas which offer those opportunities is either impractical due to distance and time, or financially impossible, so we wanted to bring those opportunities directly to the schools,” explained Wearing.
“We are honored to be chosen as a Dane G. Hansen Foundation partner,” said Mimi Meredith, Cosmosphere Chief Development Officer. “This gives us the opportunity to reach more students across the state with the interactive lessons that let them see science brought to life. Hopefully, they’ll come to the Cosmosphere in Hutchinson to learn even more!”
Programs supported by the grant will serve students in grades K-12 in rural schools in the following counties: Cheyenne, Cloud, Decatur, Ellis, Ellsworth, Gove, Graham, Jewell, Lincoln, Logan, Mitchell, Norton, Osborne, Ottawa, Phillips, Rawlins, Republic, Rooks, Russell, Saline, Sheridan, Sherman, Smith, Thomas, Trego and Wallace.
Presentations can be performed on site or live streamed to the school and can include a single classroom or serve the entire student body of a school or district. All Cosmosphere educational programming meets grade and curriculum standards and delivers engaging STEM content in an unforgettable way.
To inquire about possible outreach programs served by this grant funding, please contact the Cosmosphere School Programs Manager, Helene Kain, at helenek@cosmo.org or call 620.665.9319.
