Grants Awarded To Discovery Museum

BRIDGEPORT — The Discovery Museum has been awarded three grants totaling $103,000 to support science education programs for students who visit the museum.

The grants were made by the Inner-City Foundation for Charity & Education in the amount of $30,000, by The Perkin Fund in the amount of $48,000, and by General Electric Company in the amount of $25,000.

Each of the grants will support programs at the museum focusing on science education for elementary school students. Over 65,000 students visit The Discovery Museum each year.

The Inner-City Foundation for Charity & Education grant will support the Discovery Science Program for more than 850 students in grades 4 through 8 in the Bridgeport Catholic Elementary Schools. The grant will provide funds for the cost of the program, transportation of students, school equipment kits and teacher training workshops. The goal of the program is to increase science comprehension in students and teachers through a variety of participatory activities.

The Perkin Fund grant will provide funds to upgrade equipment and programs in the Henry B. duPont III Planetarium. With new digital equipment in the planetarium, it will be possible to create two new astronomy-based shows for targeted age groups and develop teacher training.

The General Electric grant will expand the Girls Rule! program that has been developed specifically for girls entering grades 5 through 7, helping the students to develop and maintain an interest in science and technology while also boosting self-esteem. Girls Rule! is designed by and for girls, teaching science and math skills while centering on topics ranging from chemistry to outer space.