NSF Org:	DRL Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL)
Recipient:
Initial Amendment Date:	September 20, 2006
Latest Amendment Date:	November 16, 2009
Award Number:	0610320
Award Instrument:	Continuing Grant
Program Manager:	Alphonse Desena DRL  Division of Research on Learning in Formal and Informal Settings (DRL) EDU  Directorate for STEM Education
Start Date:	September 15, 2006
End Date:	August 31, 2010 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount:	$0.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date:	$2,498,009.00
Funds Obligated to Date:	FY 2006 = $689,969.00 FY 2007 = $1,015,639.00 FY 2008 = $792,401.00
History of Investigator:	David James (Principal Investigator) david.james@scitechmuseum.org Sarah Wolf (Co-Principal Investigator) Sheldon Schafer (Co-Principal Investigator) Kua Patten (Co-Principal Investigator) Mitch Luman (Co-Principal Investigator) Ronen Mir (Former Principal Investigator) Shawn Carlson (Former Principal Investigator) Ann Fumarolo (Former Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office:	Science and Technology Interactive Center (SCITECH) 18 W. Benton Street Aurora IL  US  60506-6013 (630)859-3434
Sponsor Congressional District:	11
Primary Place of Performance:	Science and Technology Interactive Center (SCITECH) 18 W. Benton Street Aurora IL  US  60506-6013
Primary Place of Performance Congressional District:	11
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI):
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s):	AISL
Primary Program Source:	app-0406  app-0407  04000809DB NSF Education & Human Resource
Program Reference Code(s):	9177, 9180, SMET
Program Element Code(s):	725900
Award Agency Code:	4900
Fund Agency Code:	4900
Assistance Listing Number(s):	47.076

ABSTRACT

SCITECH will develop and deliver ten sets of twelve portable interactive exhibits and educational programs on space exploration to 220 venues in five states. The project is based on a collaborative of ten small science museums: Imaginarium (Anchorage, AK); Bluedorn Imaginarium (Waterloo, IA); Science Station (Cedar Rapids, IA); Discovery Center (Rockford, IL); Lakeview Museum (Peoria, IL); SCITECH (Aurora, IL); Evansville Museum of Arts and Science (Evansville, IN); Science Central (Fort Wayne, IN); Children's Science Museum (Terre Haute, IN); Science Works (Ashland, OR). The Exploratorium will build the exhibits and conduct a residency program of professional development for staff from the participating museums.

The exhibits and programs are intended to reach some 330,000 people in rural and lower-economic areas at 220 nontraditional destinations (fairs, festivals, libraries, scouts and youth clubs). These activities are designed to increase interest in and knowledge of astronomy and space exploration. In addition, this project will provide capacity building and professional development for the small museums, as well as a model that can be used by others not participating directly in this project.

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