Development for the future
Our world, our future
“A well-educated
population is essential to
retaining American’s
competitiveness in the
global economy,”
-U.S. Congress, H.R. 2272
America COMPETES Act,
2007
Workforce
development!
The international economic playing field
is now more level than it has ever been.
Whether global flatness is good for a
particular country depends on whether
that country is prepared to compete on
the global playing field.
-T.L. Friedman
The World is Flat: A Brief History of the
Twenty-First Century,
“Business people frequently
complain about the quality of
graduates – many of these
business people simply not
realizing that the path to hiring the
most capable, most qualified
employees begins with a child’s
earliest years.”
David Lawrence,
President of Florida’s Early
Childhood Initiative Foundation, and
former publisher of the Miami Herald
Huntsville is a science and technology leader
Cummings Research Park is the country’s second
largest research and technology park, containing 225
companies that employ more than 23,000 people
involved in technology, research and development.
Our mission is to serve as a gateway to science awareness, a model for excellence in science
education and as an innovative center for experiential learning.
Why Are We Important?
•Sci-Quest emphasizes informal
education in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics.
•Sci-Quest provides unique hands-on
educational opportunities for families
and schools.
•Sci-Quest is helping shape
tomorrow’s workforce.
•Sci-Quest contributes to the area’s
overall quality of life.
BACKGROUND
1989 - Pat Johnson, Jean Henderson, Grace Dailey, Carolyn Burruss and other volunteers
came together to found and incorporate the North Alabama Science Center
1998 -Construction
underway for the
permanent 42,000
sq. ft. facility in
Calhoun Community
College.
1996 - NASC volunteers
renovated a portion of
Calhoun
Community
College in Research
Park for use as a
temporary facility, and
constructed exhibits .
Our Founding
Board Members
•Eugene Sapp, Jr.
•John C. Wright
•Thomas C. Weaver
•Susan McGuire Smith
•William C. Green, Jr.
•Ann Roy Moore
•J. Stephen Monger
“Sci-Quest was the perfect way for Michael to take his love
of science and figure out how to make it into a career,”
-Patricia Longtree,
-mother of former Sci-Quest volunteer and
Cornell College of Architectural Science graduate Michael Curry
Today we are:
• A community asset that has served more than 375,000 visitors in 7 years;
including a record 89,587 visitors in 2006. Projections for 2007 are 100,000.
• A hands-on science center with three full-time educators, 125 exhibits, the state’s
only interactive 3D immersive theatre, and innovative programming that serves as
a statewide model.
• A committed community partner
collaborating with area organizations such as local schools,
businesses, and philanthropic
organizations.
• A strong economic partner,
attracting visitors to our
community.
• A 501(c)3 non-profit
hands-on science center.
An Experiment in Fun!
Total Visitor Attendance
CY2000 thru CY2006
100000
90000
89,587
80000
75,297
70000
73,531
61,561
60000
50,450
50000
40000
30000
19,568
20000
10000
0
1,630
CY 2000
CY 2001
CY 2002
CY 2003
CY 2004
According to the American Association of Museums,
the overall attendance growth for new museums
within their first five years of operation is 15%.
CY 2005
CY 2006
Since the official
opening in 2000, SciQuest has experienced
a 358% increase in
annual attendance.
What we do:
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education
Sci-Quest supports science, technology, engineering and math education
• Informal science learning for thousands of visitors annually through over 125 interactive exhibits
• Trailblazer in science education with our Immersive Theater
• Sell-out summer classes and camps for over 1,200 children annually
Workforce Development
Sci-Quest initiates workforce development for Huntsville area companies
• Engage children in science, technology, engineering and math at critical ages (K-5th)
Support Formal Education
Sci-Quest works with local teachers to help them achieve their classroom learning objectives
• Teacher workshops in science education for pre- and in-service educators
• Field trip opportunities
• Outreach programs
Family Learning & Entertainment
Sci-Quest is a source of family learning and entertainment
• Award-winning traveling exhibits
• Serving thousands of families through our special events and public programs
Advance the field of informal learning
Sci-Quest promotes best practices among museums and advances state-of-the-art informal education
• Sci-Quest is in the process of completing the Museum Assessment Program, a program ultimately leading to
accreditation by the American Association of Museums.
• Continuously adding innovative learning technologies that improve informal education
• In 2003, Sci-Quest opened the nation's first interactive 3D theater in a children’s science and technology center
100 children attend Sci-Quest’s monthly homeschool classes
Students ages 5 -14 study a
different topic each month, with
each child being given a takehome activity. Parents are given
information on the concept
studied, along with state and
national science standards and
review questions.
“Last spring John took the SAT test for 2nd graders. While I was happy with his
scores, I was particularly happy with his science scores. I knew he loved science,
but since I do not really do much teaching of it at home I was a little surprised by the
scores. He scored "above average" for the Environment portion with a grade
equivalent of 4.2.”
-Anonymous Homeschool mom
Our Future …
Sci-Quest continues to build a plan that
will help develop North Alabama’s future
technology workforce!
• Currently using a $1.8M federal grant to
upgrade our exhibits
• Continuing growth in our out reach
programs that send educators into outlying
schools that may have difficulty affording
on-site visits.
• Actively seeking sustainable operating
support from local area governments, the
State of Alabama, and the local
corporations and businesses that rely on a
strong scientific, technology, engineering
and mathematically skilled workforce.
• Continuing to work on plans to locate a
permanent home for Sci-Quest
“With the community’s support, Sci-Quest will
continue to grow and to expand children’s
interest in science, technology, engineering and
math”
– Thad Mauldin,
Sci-Quest Board President
Join us in
building a
stronger
community -
Become a
Sci-Quest
supporter
today!
Our Board of Directors
President: Thad Mauldin, Qualis
Treasurer: Jeff Irons, Ironsclad
Directors:
Dr. John Horack, NASA
Dr. Thomas Koshut, University of Alabama –
Huntsville
Tim Pickens, Orion Propulsion
Joe Ritch, Sirote & Permutt
Rick Davis, Huntsville/Madison Chamber of
Commerce
Dr. Georgia Richardson, University of
Alabama – Huntsville
Dr. Lee Tucker, Tucker & Talbot, DDS
Ex Officio:
Robin Henderson, NASA/Marshall Space
Flight Center
JD Horne, Sci-Quest, former executive
director
Dr. Ann Roy Moore, Huntsville City Schools,
Superintendent
Rep. Sue Schmitz
SKT Architectural
firm participated in the
Canstruction event
held at Sci-Quest
Sci-Quest Executive Director
Tommy Beason
Upcoming Events
• Sept. 15 – Jan. 6 – Carnegie Science
Center’s ROBOTICS exhibit.
• Oct. 13 - Hands on Trucks
• Oct. 26 - Spooktacular Science
• Feb 2008 - Virtual Vortex opens in the
(newly refurbished) theatre
• Summer 2008 – Mouth Power dental
exhibit
• Fall 2008 - Science behind Football
How can you help?
• Become a corporate
partner
• Sponsor traveling
exhibits & events
• Adopt one of our
125 permanent
exhibits
• Facility rental
• Become a member
Science Centers do not charge what it cost to operate.
Science Centers are an investment in the community.
Our Future Workforce
Immersive Theater