Do you know a K-12 educator who inspires enthusiasm for science? Nominate them for one of our Educator Excellence A… https://t.co/zts2DmhSS0
View on Twitter
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: Judy Belaires, CFRE, 484-664-1002, Ext. 102
Do you know a K-12 educator who inspires enthusiasm for science with innovative approaches? Nominate them for one of our Educator Excellence Awards! Winners will receive a free virtual program and recognition at our annual Hall of Fame Awards Gala. Nominations due Feb. 10. Learn more at bit.ly/3iUiKze.
High school students who are passionate about science can apply for a $2,000 scholarship through our annual Hall of Fame Awards! Applications due Feb. 10. Learn more at bit.ly/3a7h1T6.
Science and our local healthcare heroes are leading the way to brighter days!
Lehigh Valley Health Network and St. Luke's University Health Network have begun to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to ages 75 and up. For more information on how to get your vaccine, visit bit.ly/2Y07Aiv (LVHN) or bit.ly/363fjRl (St. Luke's).
Dr. Maria Zuber, a Summit Hill native and graduate of Panther Valley High School, has been named co-chair of President-elect Biden's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). Dr. Zuber is a Professor of Geophysics and Vice President for Research at MIT. Dr. Zuber and her co-chair, Frances Arnold, will be the first women ever to chair PCAST. We are proud to partner with several Panther Valley teachers in a US Department of Education grant program for STEAM education. Congratulations to these incredible women in science!
Congratulations to Dr. Rachel Levine, who has been nominated by President-elect Biden to serve as assistant health secretary. Dr. Levine has been a dedicated leader for Pennsylvania throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and a proven advocate for science and medicine throughout her career. Encouraging more young women to follow in Dr. Levine's footsteps is the goal of our Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) initiative.
Check out her appearance on Carnegie Science Center's Women in STEM Speaker Series at youtu.be/uKSyT2v7fOc.
"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."
Today we honor the legacy of a great leader, Martin Luther King, Jr.
We are reopening beginning this Wednesday, Jan. 6! Under the Canopy continues with brand new dates and times now available! Purchase your general admission tickets or Private VIP Tours now before they sell out! Tickets available at bit.ly/3pNBWRd.
Check this out! Scientists have discovered a new species of snake, the Waray Dwarf Burrowing snake, that is native to the islands of Samar and Leyte in the Philippines. Read more at the link below.
Scientists discover a new species of snake hiding in plain sight
www.cnn.com
The newly identified Levitonius mirus, also known as Waray Dwarf Burrowing Snake, is native to the islands of Samar and Leyte in the Philippines, an exceptionally biodiverse archipelago that includes at least 112 land snake species.We are proud to have been selected to participate in Project Equity: Redesigning the Lehigh Valley Nonprofit Sector, a new initiative from Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, and Faces International.
This initiative will allow us to better understand how we are contributing to systemic inequities and help us move forward with fellow nonprofits to affect change across the region.
Read more at bit.ly/38pvTLB. #ProjectEquityLV
bit.ly
Da Vinci Science Center is proud to participate in Project Equity: Redesigning the Lehigh Valley Nonprofit Sector, a new initiative from Lehigh Valley Community Foundation, the United Way, and Faces International. The initiative brings together nonprofit stakeholders in the region to create a common...In observance of the latest guidance from the Governor and the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health, Da Vinci Science Center will be closed beginning Saturday, Dec. 12 through Sunday, Jan. 3 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
All general admission tickets purchased for Under the Canopy for this time period will be refunded. Any Private VIP Tours purchased for this time period will be either rescheduled or refunded. A staff member will be in contact with you directly about your reservation.
We appreciate your patience and support through these challenging times. Please stay safe and healthy in the days and weeks ahead. Scientists around the world are leading the way to brighter days and we look forward to welcoming you and your family back into the Science Center again soon.
Science education is more important than ever. This #GivingTuesday, we are committed to continue to provide virtual STEAM programs for Lehigh Valley students from all backgrounds and provide STEAM kits that students get to keep. A gift of just $20 will provide an hour-long virtual program for 1 student.
This year, Gross McGinley is giving us a gift of $500 in honor of Giving Tuesday. If you can help us match their donation, they will double their gift to $1,000! Please help show your support so we can achieve this “Gross McGinley Giving Back Tuesday” challenge grant! #GMGivingBackTuesday
Lin Erickson, our Executive Director & CEO, will be a featured panelist at the Meaningful Mentorships event from Lehigh Valley Launchbox on Dec. 2. This FREE virtual event will include female leaders sharing stories of the mentors that have impacted their lives, and breakout sessions where attendees will learn how they too can have meaningful relationships with a mentor or as a mentee. Register today at bit.ly/2JhgYKo.
bit.ly
LaunchBox Ladies is an educational series focusing on unique challenges and victories of female entrepreneurs who impact the Lehigh Valley.Have some safe, family-friendly fun this holiday weekend with Under the Canopy! Meet live rainforest animals, including Lulu the Two-Toed Sloth! Advanced reservations required. Purchase tickets online at bit.ly/3qc1EA2.
The Toys for Tots boxes are here and ready for your donations! Help us give back this holiday season. Toys can be dropped off during our normal business hours.
Have you booked your private tour for Under the Canopy yet? Get up-close with Lulu! Only a few spots left, hurry and book today at davincisciencecenter.org.
We're OPEN! Lulu the sloth is SO excited to see everyone! Hurry and get your tickets for this weekend before they are sold out! Reservations required in advance. Purchase online at bit.ly/32mGiWl
Mondays, am I right? #LuluTheSloth
Have you gotten your tickets for Under the Canopy yet? Opens this Friday! bit.ly/35S63P0
P: 484.664.1002
D: 3145 Hamilton Blvd. Bypass, Allentown, PA 18103
H: Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 12-5 p.m.
Get Directions
