SCI receives $15,000 Facebook Community Action Grant to support senior STEM learning
- Tuesday May 7, 2019
The Science Center of Iowa (SCI) has received a $15,000 Community Action Grant from Facebook’s Altoona Data Center for Senior STEM, a new project that educates older adults on current technology.
Stereotypes portray senior citizens as technologically averse or incompetent, but Pew Institute research shows that more and more seniors are engaging with technology and becoming highly active users.
Senior STEM helps older Iowans become familiar and comfortable with technology. Skills learned from this program connect participants with new forms of art, engage them in social activities and help them interact with family members.
"Engaging the brain throughout life strengthens neuronal networks and helps seniors better withstand the effects of age," said Curt Simmons, SCI president and CEO. "We are grateful to Facebook for helping us develop another way to fulfill our mission to engage and inspire Iowans along their journey of lifelong science learning."
Senior STEM will be offered as a part of SCI’s “Science @ Your Site” outreach program. Presentations at community and senior living centers will cover coding and programming, key skills that can help older Iowans transition to today's digital world. Additional program activities will help older adults become comfortable with today's technology.
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.