Denver Museum of Nature and Science- A Wish Come True

Some wishes do come true. For example, the wish of so many children to get inside of an exhibit and touch everything, engage in hands-on learning of science and have fun doing it. Thanks to an extremely generous donation from the Morgridge Family Foundation, who gave an $8 Million gift to be used to construct a new Science Engagement Center in the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, this wish will come true. This is the largest single donation in the 109 year history of the museum and it will be put to good use. “We want to change the way people think about science education here at the Museum,” said George Sparks, the Museum’s president and CEO. “Our goal is to complement what children learn at school by offering the types of memorable experiences they can only have at our great Museum. We want to give these kids the inspiration they need to become lifelong fans of science and learning, and we are grateful to the Morgridge Family Foundation for making a significant contribution to the fulfillment of this vision.”

The new addition will be a 40,000-square-foot, 3 story Science Engagement Center with the first 2 floors featuring “innovative, high-tech science activity facilities designed for preschool through 8th grade children.” The grown-ups will enjoy this as well, and the hands-on learning environment will stimulate the understanding of science. The third floor of the building will house new temporary exhibition gallery space.

The Morgridge Foundation’s vice president Carrie Morgridge remarked, “We are very concerned that the quality of science, technology, engineering, and math education might be diluted if standards are not maintained at a very high level. We need tools, partners, experts, master teachers, and creative, critical thinkers to educate the next generation so we will have a competitive workforce. The Museum can play an important role in developing the scientists of tomorrow.” No matter what your age, you will find something wonderful at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. Come explore the past, present and future and get ready to be hands-on in the new Science Engagement Center….coming soon!