ScienceSouth one of only fifteen centers across nation to receive MetLife award

Friday, December 08, 2006

FLORENCE, SC -- MetLife Foundation recently announced the grant winners of its Partnership for Intergenerational Learning program. Fifteen science museums from around the United States were awarded grants totaling $1,000,000, directly benefiting over 3.8 million people.

ScienceSouth has been selected for an award of $50,000 to support the development of a “Design and Build Lab”. This multi-purpose learning environment will promote intergenerational learning, as it encompasses problem solving and critical thinking in devising solutions to a particular challenge. “We will open new horizons by exposing participants to a range of technologies from simple to advanced while using a wide range of tools and materials” said Project Director Colleen Zilio.

“Programs offered by ScienceSouth will enable learners of all ages to get absorbed in an in-depth learning experience. The Design & Build Learning activities require participants to assimilate, integrate, understand, compare and evaluate” said Dr. Michael Madden Education Specialist with ScienceSouth.

“ScienceSouth is pleased to receive the METLIFE award. This is an exciting development, which, will enable ScienceSouth to expand our audience to include families. We are proud that our team and programs are receiving national level recognition and awards. This strengthens out ability and our commitment to provide enjoyable, high quality, learning experience for the Pee Dee.” Said ScienceSouth Chairman Hood Temple.

"MetLife Foundation has a long history of partnering with museums to support learning and development opportunities for people of all ages," said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "Science museums, in particular, serve as excellent community and educational resources and are well positioned to provide an environment for intergenerational learning and exploration. We are pleased to support these museums in their work to engage young people, older adults and families through programs that will promote discovery and build community."

Complete List of Partnership Grant Recipients

* Brogan Museum of Art and Science (Tallahassee, FL)
* DaVinci Discovery Center (Allentown, PA)
* Discovery Center of Science and Technology (Syracuse, NY)
* Explora (Albuquerque, NM)
* Gateway to Science Center (Bismarck, ND)
* Gulf Cost Exploreum Science Center (Mobile, AL)
* The Health Museum (Houtson, TX)
* Miami Museum of Science and Planetarium (Miami, FL)
* Montshire Museum of Science (Norwich, VT)
* New Detroit Science Center (Detroit, MI)
* New York Hall of Science (Flushing, NY)
* Palouse Discovery Science Center (Pullman, WA)
* Science Museum of Minnesota (St. Paul, MN)
* ScienceSouth (Florence, SC)
* SciTech Hands on Museum (Aurora, IL)

MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to continue the company’s long tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement. The Foundation supports programs that improve education, promote health, encourage parental involvement and family engagement, help revitalize neighborhoods and stress accessibility and inclusion. In recent years, a focus on Alzheimer's and aging issues has been added. MetLife Foundation stresses education in all its programs. Recognizing the vital role the arts play in building communities and educating young people, the Foundation contributes to arts and cultural organizations across the United States, with an emphasis on increasing opportunities for young people, reaching broad audiences through inclusive programming, and making arts more accessible for all people. For more information about the Foundation, please visit its Web site at www.metlife.org.

ScienceSouth was established to improve science, math and technology education. Its mandate is to inspire people to learn. ScienceSouth is a 501 (c) 3 educational institution based in Florence SC. The organization is dedicated to improving science math and technology education. We address this mission using several approaches including mobile labs. ScienceSouth supports and enhances science, math and technology education in schools. In it four years of operation ScienceSouth has delivered programs to a growing audience of students, teachers and families. And with the development of the ScienceSouth Design and Build lab it will offer out of school informal learning experiences to families and their visitors. Please visit the ScienceSouth website at www.sciencesouth.org.

CONTACT:
Colleen Zilio
ScienceSouth
(843) 629-4040
FAX (843) 629-4341
zilio@sciencesouth.org
www.sciencesouth.org