Support our $1.6M goal to double our impact
We are committed to ambitious growth for our Traveling Science Workshops (TSW) program, which is already bringing hands-on science to 60,000 kids a year right in their classrooms. By 2030, we will have doubled the scale of this program to serve 120,000 elementary school students a year across Massachusetts and beyond. It will take a $1.6 million catalyst investment to get there.
Since 1992, Discovery Museum’s Traveling Science Workshops (TSW) have brought the wonders of hands-on science directly into PreK–8th grade classrooms—sparking curiosity, building foundational STEM confidence, and inspiring more than half a million young scientists in over 120 towns.
The Need:
- 90% of Massachusetts 1st–4th graders spend less than 4 hours a week on science.
- Without early exposure to hands-on STEM, up to half of students lose interest in science by 8th grade.
- Anxiety about teaching science can significantly reduce teacher confidence.
- For many children, TSW may be their only hands-on science experience
Our Proven Impact:
- 90% school loyalty rate—educators trust us year after year.
- 183% growth in enrollment over the past 6 years.
- Teachers rate us 4.8/5 for increasing student interest in science and 4.6/5 for building STEM confidence.
- Our instructors model for teachers how to engage students.
- Our choice to use everyday materials makes science accessible and repeatable.
The Vision:
With an investment of $1.6 million over five years, we will double the number of students we reach—from 60,000 to 120,000 each year—while ensuring long-term sustainability.
- Hire and train new instructors and administrative staff.
- Increase subsidized programs to expand access in underserved districts.
- Invest in science materials kits to get accessible tools into every student’s hands.
- Establish and equip two new regional hubs with materials, equipment, and instructors.
Our schools need us to step up now—and you can make it happen!
It's easy to make an online gift to the Discovery Museum—we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express. Please make a donation today!
For more information, please email tfossey [at] discoveryacton.org (Tobey Fossey), Senior Director of Development, or call her at 978-264-4200 ext. 124.