Special to the Journal
In celebration of Massachusetts STEM week, National Grid is pleased to announce a new three-year community partnership with Boston Children’s Museum to create a Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) program for afterschool educators, focused on communities that have been historically underrepresented in the STEM field.
Leveraging Boston Children’s Museum’s significant STEAM education expertise and a $500,000 financial commitment from National Grid, the program will bring together afterschool program educators each year to receive professional development opportunities, a stipend, and museum-led assistance creating hands-on STEAM learning opportunities for the children they serve. The collaboration will begin in early 2024 with a pilot program in the City of Lynn and will expand to additional gateway cities, creating a statewide impact over the next three years.
“We are honored to be selected as the city to pilot this program,” said Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson. “We are excited for our students to be taking part in these amazing learning opportunities that will help propel them forward and inspire them to become life-long learners. Thank you to National Grid and Boston Children’s Museum for their continued support of our community.”
Since 2006, National Grid has played an integral role in furthering the Museum’s STEAM efforts. This new community-based partnership reinforces and extends the informal learning that takes place in the Museum’s exhibits and expands the capacity for adults to support STEAM learning among the children. This partnership focuses even greater attention on both Boston Children’s Museum’s and National Grid’s efforts to promote STEAM learning and inspire kids and their families to develop skills that last a lifetime.
“Science, technology, engineering, and math are at the core of what we do every day at National Grid. As we work to combat the climate crisis and advance the clean energy ecosystem in Massachusetts, a STEAM education is critical to developing innovative and creative leaders of tomorrow,” said Melissa Lavinson, Head of Corporate Affairs for National Grid New England. “We are committed to ensuring communities throughout the Commonwealth have access to these learning opportunities, and we are excited to see these programs come to life.”
“Boston Children’s Museum invites children and families to engage in STEAM challenges, use tools, and develop skills every day. These STEAM activities provide opportunities for hands-on, open-ended explorations that ignite imaginations,” said Carole Charnow, President & CEO of Boston Children’s Museum. “To build on this work, the Museum is grateful for funding from National Grid that allows us to foster deeper connections with parents, guardians, neighborhoods, and communities.”
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
For more information, please visit their website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find us on Instagram.
Boston Children’s Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. More information about Boston Children’s Museum can be found at www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
Hours and Admission
The Museum is open Wednesday–Sunday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Advance tickets/reservations are highly recommended, especially during weekends, holidays, and school vacation weeks. Adults, $22, children (1-15) and senior citizens, $22; children under 12 months and Museum members are always free.