Museums & science centers
For cities and towns lucky enough to have them, science museums and centers are often the primary place to engage with science. The 2024 total solar eclipse will be no different, and the museums we’re supporting are ready for the big day. Dozens of museums along the path will have programs and activities leading up to April 8 and during the eclipse.
Working with the Association for Science and Technology Centers (ASTC), we’ve partnered with several museums and science centers to support community-centered eclipse celebrations. Independent of that partnership, we’re working with four museums to leverage the eclipse to form new community partnerships and expand their audiences, ensuring that more people, regardless of geography or economic status, can interact with the incredible work these institutions enable.
We’ll announce the remainder of our partner museums in November 2023.
Rochester Museum and Science Center
The mission of the Rochester Museum and Science Center (RMSC) is to inspire a better future for all through curiosity, exploration, and participation in science, culture and the natural world. RMSC is the hub for science learning in the region and is home to the Strasenburgh Planetarium, interactive STEM themed exhibits and a wide range of educational programs for learners of all ages, including live science demonstrations, camps and lectures on cutting edge scientific topics. Rochester is very diverse, and RMSC’s priority is to better serve the entire community through exhibits and programs that are accessible and meaningful for people of all backgrounds. Read more
To prepare and excite the Rochester region for the incredible shared experience of the 2024 total solar eclipse, the RMSC plans to support more than 50 community partner organizations to participate in their RMSC Community Eclipse Ambassador Program. Ambassadors will be trained in eclipse education, basic astronomy and eclipse viewing safety. RMSC’s Ambassadors will be outfitted with equipment including a telescope with a solar viewing filter, educational materials, solar viewing glasses and materials for activities. The goal of the Community Eclipse Ambassador Program is to excite and educate Rochester about the April 8, 2024 total solar eclipse and decentralize STEM learning into communities, creating access for all. Participants represent community organizations, businesses and municipalities and serve people in Rochester and the nine counties (Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming and Yates) around the city.
Thinkery
Thinkery’s mission is to lead the future of play-based STEAM learning experiences that inspire and equip all children to be confident, creative thinkers. They see their role in the community as a connector and convenor. Their community relationship work is a deeply significant part of how they ensure that Thinkery experiences are informed by, designed for and provided to all children. Thinkery’s vision is for all children to cultivate a lifelong love of learning through experiences that highlight the organization’s core values of belonging, playfulness, innovation and collaboration. Read more
The Thinkery Ambassador program will support several key initiatives related to their community relationships work by implementing an eclipse taskforce to carry this work through the eclipse and beyond. They will follow a model for listening, learning and planning with Thinkery’s community to design customized learning experiences. With a focus on expanding partnerships into areas in Austin, Texas that have systematically been marginalized in STEAM, they will have the opportunity to center the voices and lived experiences of those communities. Thinkery hopes the 2024 total solar eclipse will act as a catalyst to spark a lifelong love of learning, a sense of joy and belonging.
Terre Haute Children’s Museum
The Terre Haute Children’s Museum, located in Terre Haute, Indiana, enriches children's lives through play and the exploration of science, technology, engineering and math. The museum emphasizes STEM in their everyday lives through exhibits and programming. They are the only organization in West Central Indiana and East Central Illinois dedicated to STEM engagement. Families look to the Terre Haute Children’s Museum for a blend of education and entertainment for their children from birth through 12 years old. The museum helps create memories across generations, as almost 54,000 children, parents, grandparents, cousins and friends explore, experiment and engage with STEM annually within their walls and via their programs. Read more
As the local science center, the museum is the convening organization for 2024 eclipse planning in Vigo County. The intent of the program is to extend the museum's reach in serving diverse communities that may not be able to visit museums and create new access and enthusiasm for science learning. The museum will support science ambassadors by providing training, supplies, equipment, educational resources and ongoing assistance to empower them to create customized science learning experiences in their communities.. The awareness, excitement and enthusiasm around the 2024 eclipse will provide a unique opportunity to build relationships with communities who are less connected to STEM and the museum.
Great Lakes Science Center
Located in Cleveland, Ohio, the Great Lakes Science Center is dedicated to making science, technology, engineering and math come alive. Their vision is a community where all people value science, technology, engineering and math to inform decision making and enrich lives. They cultivate creative, innovative, critical thinkers for the 21st century and support a learning culture that encourages curiosity and experimentation. The center brings people together by providing welcoming, fun and high-quality guest experiences and strengthens their community impact by collaborating with other organizations and connecting to STEM resources in the Ohio region. Read more
The Great Lakes Science Center plans to support 50 community partners with the training and resources to be community ambassadors who will lead their own 2024 eclipse celebrations, incorporating high-quality, engaging STEM educational programming. The center will focus on after-school programs and community-based organizations across the Northeast Ohio region within the path of totality. Ambassador organizations will receive glasses to view the eclipse safely, a telescope and solar filter, viewing panel, Sun/Moon/Earth model, colanders, marketing/promotional materials and printable educational materials. Ambassadors will also receive training to implement programming in their communities.