Science Center of Iowa awarded $10,000 Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant
Donation will fund installation of a permanent wall system
- Monday August 22, 2022
The Science Center of Iowa (SCI) has received a $10,000 Community Betterment Grant from Prairie Meadows, which will help to relocate SCI’s Innovation Lab to share a portion of the Makers Studio. This award will go towards the purchase of a wall system that enables SCI to securely store technology within Innovation Lab.
“This funding will allow the science center to protect 21st century technology from theft and damage, while still being able to offer these resources to our hundreds of thousands of visitors each year,” said Curt Simmons, SCI president and CEO.
The Innovation Lab, designed to be a community space that allows visitors to interact with 3D printers, laser cutters, and other advanced robotics, was created in 2021. The science center welcomes over 200,000 visitors annually. Protecting the Innovation Lab from abuse will ensure that the benefits it offers are still available to these visitors. These benefits include educator professional development, instruction in STEM for visitors of all ages, and the development of better communication skills for students in grades 1 through 8.
About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989, with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes, grants, and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given $2.1 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, sports wagering, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.
About the Science Center of Iowa
The Science Center of Iowa engages and inspires Iowans along their journey of lifelong science learning. The 110,000-sq. ft. facility located in Downtown Des Moines features dynamic experience platforms, large format theaters and daily interactive science demonstrations, including the NAEYC-accredited SCI Preschool. The Science Center of Iowa also provides educational outreach programs across the state of Iowa. For more information, visit www.sciowa.org.