At Wise Wonders, Go Grant funds are being used to expand scholarships to low income families and organizations serving at risk youth.
Wise Wonders Children’s Museum, with its staff and VISTA Volunteers, are working to alleviate poverty by giving disadvantaged youth the skills and encouragement to embrace educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering, art and math so that they may build skills that will help them succeed in school and work. There are nearly 3,500 children experiencing poverty in Billings and Wise Wonders is located in an area surrounded by a 45% poverty rate. The Billings School District has identified the need for early STEM education in Billings, as only 45% of local students are performing at or above proficiency in math and only 30% in science.
Access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math educational programming along with the arts (STEAM) in out-of-school facilities is a key component to fighting poverty. Low income children exposed to STEAM education in experiential programs are more likely to embrace other educational opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math. STEAM education develops soft skills that so many careers need such as communication, problem solving, critical thinking, creativity, and data analysis.” The exhibits and programming available at Wise Wonders contribute to the development of the aforementioned skills and with funding from the Go Grant, we can educate those who may not have access otherwise.
Scholarships
- Within 6 months of receiving funding, Wise Wonders plans on distributing 25 membership scholarships to families who may otherwise not be able to utilize the museum.
- They will also provide 8 Organizational Memberships to local agencies serving low-income and at-risk youth who may otherwise not be able to utilize the museum.