Proposal to Establish a Science Center in the City of Rockville September 2000

Page 2 Rockville Science Center Mission Provide high-interest, contemporary, educational, and entertaining hands-on/minds-on science and technology experiences for the community, schools, and families. Present science concepts to the public Encourage careers in science and technology Contribute to economic, recreational, and educational growth Inform the community about scientific activities in the Rockville area Audience Students (all grade levels) Teachers (all grade levels) Families (all members) General Public (all levels of interest)

September 2000 Page 3 Rockville Science Center Benefits Citizens Improves science literacy Encourages family involvement in science Presents science as recreation Provides volunteer outlet for retired scientists Education Supports science learning Is a resource for careers in science Provides Community Service credit for students Business Attracts families, students, teachers, tourists Enhances community appeal to professionals Compliments Interstate 270 Technology Corridor Acts as a focus for corporate community programs Government Informs decision makers about science issues Increases citizen involvement

September 2000 Page 4 Rockville Science Center Strategy Establish and operate a permanent science and technology center in or near the City of Rockville. Includes: Exhibit Hall - Seasonal, focus and permanent exhibits Classrooms - Group experiments, seminars Workshops - Exhibit development and maintenance Outdoor Exhibit Area - Interact with environment Offices - Organization and operations Storage - Enough for Science Day material Parking - Enough for busses Interim facility (5,000 sq.ft.), followed by a full operational facility (20,000 sq.ft.)

September 2000 Page 5 Rockville Science Center Departments and Programs Exhibits Permanent Exhibits Local natural environment; technology business exhibits; mural Special Events Visiting exhibits, seasonal; exchanges with other science centers Providers of Exhibits Professional organizations; businesses; schools; volunteer scientists Rockville Science Day Organize the event; develop and store exhibits Workshops and Activities Weekend science workshop; hands-on science Class field trips; after-school program; science van Infrastructure Operations center; contact lists; Internet site; resources library Exhibit development and maintenance; science store

September 2000 Page 6 Rockville Science Center Planned Exhibits We are planning a collection of interactive exhibits. Some would be fixed in place, and some would be rotated on a seasonal basis. We would augment the exhibits with borrowed exhibits from other science centers and government agencies. Models of human and animal organs, skeleton Solar system model to scale, history of astronomical discoveries Weather station, sundial Outdoor area for growing plants, local fauna and flora Critical thinking puzzles and visual thinking puzzles How blood circulates in our bodies Satellite receivers and space communications The human brain, cloning and genetics Nutrition (how our bodies use of food) Experiments in physics around the home Resource library, contact lists, Internet web site

September 2000 Page 7 Rockville Science Center More Exhibit Ideas The possibilities for exhibits are endless. All we need is an idea, an exhibit manager, an exhibit sponsor, and exhibit hall, and funding. Mural: A geologic and physiographic cross-section from the Appalachian mountains passing through Rockville and the Piedmont area to the Baltimore Canyon A model of the cell and of the structure of DNA, microscopes Local rocks and minerals, quarries and fossils in Maryland The human eye Reflection and refraction of light, light waves, curved mirrors, lenses, prisms, colors, shadows A Van de Graaf generator Magnets and electric currents Potato power Friction, force, resistance, energy transfer, gravity The Bernoulli blower A timeline of significant discoveries in science Growing crystals

September 2000 Page 8 Rockville Science Center Cities with Science Centers Many cities about the size of Rockville have successful science centers.

September 2000 Page 9 Rockville Science Center Needs Funding Feasibility Study ($80,000) Build Out ($500,000 for interim, $3,000,000 for full center - $120/sq.ft.) Annual Operating Costs ($50,000 for interim, $500,000 for full center) Facility In or near Rockville Building (5,000 sq.ft. for interim, 20,000 sq.ft. for full center) Parking (30 dedicated spaces, access to 60 shared spaces) Exhibits Seasonal ($5,000 rental per exhibit per month) Permanent Van (lease, insurance) Volunteers Teachers, instructors, mentors Office and technical support Project coordinators

September 2000 Page 10 Rockville Science Center Workshop Classroom Exhibit Hall Office Passage Tickets Foyer Outdoor Exhibit Area Fire Exit Storage Bathroom 500sqft350sqft 1000sqft 300sqft Example Interim Science Facility 5000 sq.ft.

September 2000 Page 11 Rockville Science Center Funding Model Funding Sources Large corporate/government grants ($1,000,000) Smaller company contributions/city, county, state funds ($200,000) Matching individual contributions ($20,000) Facility Sources Unused county/city facility Donation of unused commercial space Exhibits Local corporate/government agencies Exhibit contribution fund Local scientists Admission Operating Expenses Membership dues and pledges Annual city/county/state budget Local business contributions Center’s science store

September 2000 Page 12 Rockville Science Center Contacts Rockville Consortium for Science Sheila Marshall, , 202 New Mark Esplanade, Rockville, MD Bob Ekman, , 524 Carr Ave., Rockville, MD Association for Science-Technology Centers