Connecticut Science Center

Public audiences served:the Connecticut Science Center maintained its progressive recovery from the pandemic in 2022, restoring capacity while increasing service revenues on pace with a multi-year recovery plan. The Science Center exceeded all of its measured objectives for visitor experience and education value as rated by customers and its first internally developed exhibition, forest of illusions, enjoyed an enthusiastic response. The Science Center adopted a new 10-year strategic vision to be a world class Science Center with integrated in-person and online experiences exploring the stem topics, issues, and challenges of our time. The Science Center secured capital funding commitments from the state of Connecticut and began private fundraising to support the strategic vision.the Connecticut Science Center continued to follow covid related on-site protocols, including limiting the number of visitors permitted in the building. With the help of a state sponsored free summer initiative, the Science Center served 231,000 visitors on site, 9% more than in 2021 and 23% fewer than the last pre- pandemic year, 2019.with the continued slow return of school field trips, the Science Center delivered 600 outreach programs across Connecticut and Massachusetts and 111 virtual programs to over 21,000 individuals. Additionally, the Science Center presented 2 stem career showcases introducing over 800 middle and high school students to representatives from 13 companies.

Professional development for teachers:over 1,000 teachers participated in the Science Center's professional coaching and learning sessions that are aligned with both the ct state Science framework standards and the next generation Science standards (ngss). Whether teachers are providing in-person, distance learning, or a hybrid, the Science Center's programs are flexible and supportive to meet educators' needs.