The Annual Fund supports the Da Vinci Science Center’s efforts toward bringing science to life and lives to science. Students and guests of all ages benefit from Annual Fund gifts through experiencing unforgettable exhibits and academic programs.
The last six months have been especially hard on our young people, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. While it has been challenging, the Da Vinci Science Center has been able to continue to reach this vulnerable population. For example, this summer, Da Vinci educators delivered STEAM kits to a local food bank where Lisa, a rising fifth-grader jumped with excitement when she realized she got to take the kit home. Without internet access at home, she was cut off from her school and friends. We were grateful to help her feel connected and continue her STEAM learning. Lisa said, “Now I can keep learning. I love doing experiments. I am really into science.”
Da Vinci Science Center is the leading provider of out-of-school STEAM learning for the Lehigh Valley, but the negative impact of COVID-19 on the Science Center’s operations has been difficult. It is the need to continue to bring STEAM learning to students like Lisa that we now write to you with some urgency. Will you help Lehigh Valley students continue STEAM learning with a gift to the Da Vinci Science Center today?
Thanks to many of you, last summer we delivered over 3000 STEAM kits for students like Lisa. Now well into the fall, we know that there will be no school field trips, school budgets are very tight, and hands-on science learning in area schools will be limited. Despite these obstacles, we remain committed to serving our community. We have developed a slate of virtual programs to help schools deliver strong STEAM curriculum and families enjoy online science experiences together. Our commitment to the community includes continuing to support our teachers with online professional development programs that give them tips and tools for engaging students in hands-on science virtually.
We also remain committed to the development of a new world-class science center in downtown Allentown, which will help create the future of the Lehigh Valley – a future where every student, no matter their economic or geographic circumstances, will be able to participate in Da Vinci’s high-quality STEAM educational programming.
Our goal continues to be bringing science to life for every young person in the Lehigh Valley despite these difficult times. We need your help so that we can deliver online experiences that transform lives, foster a love of learning, and inspire budding scientists to pursue their dreams.
With your commitment now, Da Vinci Science Center will be able to continue access to virtual STEAM programs for Lehigh Valley students from all backgrounds and provide STEAM kits like Lisa’s that students get to keep. These kits will provide hands-on experiences that are interesting, creative, and challenging whether at the kitchen table, in the classroom, or at a community site.
As a community, we will emerge from today’s challenges better than ever by working together. Today we ask for your continued support in helping Da Vinci Science Center emerge stronger. In partnership, we can continue helping students reach their full potential. Thank you in advance for contributing as generously as possible to help bring science to life for Lehigh Valley kids.
Jane and her family have been Da Vinci Science Center members and supporters since 2005. “We enjoy the fun and excitement of being around science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) programs and exhibits all the time.”
Support from members like Jane and her family are vital to the experiences at the Da Vinci Science Center. “I give beyond the annual membership fee because technology always changes and the Center must keep up with new inventions and ideas. Giving allows the Center to upgrade the experiences kids have when they visit.”
Jane’s grandkids, Alex, Nick, Lexi, and Jack, visit the Center numerous times each year. “I love the Da Vinci Science Center because it shows different ways science is used in your everyday life,” says 12-year-old Alex.
Jane is glad the Da Vinci Science Center exists for her grandkids every day. “If the Center didn’t exist, the kids wouldn’t have these opportunities to gain greater knowledge of science. Every parent wants to give their children the opportunity to achieve at their highest levels. By experiencing science at this level, kids are more encouraged, excited, and interested in STEAM fields.”
Mahx is an 8th grade student who has lived in Allentown his whole life. Thanks to donors like you, he had the opportunity to visit the Da Vinci Science Center for the first time this year.
He attended the Healthcare Career Connection Days with the Raub Middle School advanced science classes.
"At this workshop, we extracted DNA from strawberries, we examined the brain of a sheep, and we practiced injecting medicine into an IV. I learned a lot more than just hearing about science from a presenter.”
Mahx uses his passion for science to participate in state-level competitions. This year, he won first prize for his project on the physics of parachutes at the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition. He hopes to become a video game programmer after graduation. Help Students Like Mahx
"Da Vinci was really fun and interesting and I’d like to go back again with my family."
Shaiyan is a 15-year-old Girl Scout of Eastern Pa. She saved three years of Girl Scout cookie money to bring 15 underserved children to the Da Vinci Science Center.
It was the children's first visit to the Science Center, and they had a great time exploring the exhibits and having fun with science.
"It was amazing to see their reactions while learning something new,” said Shaiyan.
Shaiyan embodies the Science Center's mission of bringing science to life and lives to science. You too can support hands-on science experiences for the underserved.
In these uncertain times, many of us have had to find new ways to go about our everyday lives; from grocery shopping to doing our jobs, we have had to adapt.
While this has been challenging for all of us at Da Vinci Science Center, the good news is that with your help, we have been able to create new ways to “bring science to life and lives to science”.
This year, with your help, we can secure an even greater future. Please join our supporters in helping students gain hands-on experience in STEAM fields, especially the underserved where the need is the greatest.
Thank you for your consideration; we are truly grateful for your support.
Annual Fund gifts can be made at any time online or by mailing a check to:
Da Vinci Science Center
Advancement Office
3145 Hamilton Boulevard Bypass
Allentown, PA 18103
Your generous contribution will provide hands-on STEAM learning opportunities for students and families who would not be able to experience them without
your support.
$2,500
$1,000
$500
$100
$20
All programs include STEAM kits for each student.
Contact: MaryEllen Dickey, CFRE
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