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Discover the SCIENCE FACTORY
<br />FACT SHEET (Revised 4/13/06) collection "Sportsology," provides
<br />Founded: 1961 as a program of OMSI
<br />Legal Name: Science Factory Inc. 1W
<br />Organization Type: Non - profit corporation (est'd
<br />1977, State of Oregon, as WISTEC)
<br />Tax Exempt Status: 501(c)(3) independent hah-
<br />profit entity (federal tax I.D. no. 93- 0688763)
<br />Industry: Museum, science center, education
<br />Mission: The Science Factory's mission is to engage, excite and inspire
<br />children toward a lifelong love of teaming about science, technology and
<br />humanity.
<br />Target Population: The primary focus Is children from kindergarten through
<br />6 grade. The secondary focus includes all other age groups, including:
<br />preschool children, middle school and high school students, family members
<br />(parents, siblings, and grandparents), and other adults.
<br />Background: The Science Factory traces its origins to 1961 when the
<br />Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) opened a children's science
<br />museum in Eugene, Oregon. Called "SWOMSI" (Southwest Oregon Museum
<br />of Science and Industry), the museum was housed in a building at the current
<br />site of the Oregon Electric Station restaurant. The museum incorporated in
<br />1977 as WISTEC (Willamette Science & Technology Center), a separate,
<br />independent entity. In 1979, WISTEC relocated to a new facility constructed
<br />by Lane County at Alton Baker Park The property was later transferred to the
<br />City of Eugene. In 2002, WISTEC changed its name to Science Factory and
<br />also was given ownership of its building. In 2003, Science Factory acquired
<br />the planetarium portion of the facility, which had previously been operated by
<br />Lane Educational Service District.
<br />For the first time since they were constructed in 1978 -79, the museum
<br />and planetarium facilities became owned and operated by a single entity
<br />— the Science Factory. This development presented significant and exciting
<br />opportunities for integrated programming and more cost effective operations.
<br />Current Description: The Science Factory maintains a collection of science-
<br />focused, interactive exhibits designed primarily for children In grades K -6;
<br />provides after- school educational programs and summer science day camps
<br />for children in preschool to middle school; and offers planetarium shows,
<br />computer lab programs, special events, demonstrations, and exhibits for all
<br />age groups.
<br />Located within the City of Eugene's Alton Baker Park in the heart of
<br />Eugene, Oregon, the Science Factory is comprised of a museum and
<br />planetarium. The 10,000 square foot facility includes: 3,000 sq. ft. main exhibit
<br />hall; planetarium with 40 -ft. dome and 100 seats; 2 classrooms; conference
<br />room; computer lab; lobby; gift shop; and administrative offices. The Science
<br />Factory is situated on 3 acres of land, leased from the City of Eugene, that
<br />contains natural ponds, meadows, and trees. The area is adjacent to a stream
<br />and running trails and is directly south of the University of Oregon Athletic
<br />facilities, including Autzen Stadium. The site includes ample free parking for
<br />100 vehicles.
<br />In 2005, the Science Factory museum and planetarium served over 16,000
<br />visitors through general admissions, school groups, afterschool science
<br />programs, summer science camps, outreach programs, and special events.
<br />The totdl includes over 5,000 school children in grades K-6 through field trips
<br />and programs.
<br />Current Programs: The Science Factory is open to the general public for use
<br />of the exhibit hall and planetarium presentations year'round. Exhibits include
<br />permanent and traveling or rotating exhibits. The current featured exhibit
<br />Annual Budget: $450,000 (2006)
<br />Members: 1,000 paid annual family memberships
<br />Employees: 10 (5 full -time, 5 part -time)
<br />Advisory Board: 19 members
<br />Board of Directors: 10 members
<br />Key Contacts
<br />Board Chairman: Patrick Logan
<br />Executive Director: Jerry
<br />interactive stations to gauge physical
<br />strength, reflexes, endurance, speed, skill,
<br />and accuracy. A new exhibit collection is
<br />schedule to begin in July 2006. Other exhibits
<br />include: Science Factory "Originals" crafted by
<br />volunteers on sound, magnetism, and light; Recyclotron;
<br />young children &toddler area; and an assortment of other science -
<br />related features. Th
<br />e planetarium presents a set of presentations on
<br />planets, constellations, star gazing, and space exploration, which are updated
<br />regularly.
<br />Science Factory's educational programs offer children the chance to
<br />experience hands -on teaming, creative problem solving and discovery
<br />in a
<br />stimulating and fun environment.
<br />Program Summary
<br />Planetarium Programs
<br />• Live presentations for children and adults on a variety of astronomy - related
<br />topics which are updated regularly, such as: planets, satellites, and the
<br />solar system; space exploration; new discoveries; Hubble telescope; and
<br />comets and meteors.
<br />• Public shows and curriculum - targeted programs for school groups of all
<br />ages
<br />• Teacher workshops
<br />Exhibit Hall
<br />• Permanent and traveling interactive exhibits focused on science topics.
<br />Science Discovery Days for Preschoolers
<br />• Ages 3 -5 &parents (topics: Sound; Reptiles &Amphibians; Winter)
<br />• One day per month; 2-hour sessions
<br />Magic School Bus Adventures
<br />• Grades K -2 (topics: Insects, Circulation, Bats, Rainforest, Mirrors, Magnifiers,
<br />& Kaleidoscopes; Body Mechanics; Habitats; Smelt; Computer Art)
<br />• One day per week; 2 -hour classes
<br />Science Adventures Workshops
<br />• Grades 3 -5 (topics: Computer Art &Design; Crafts - magnets, stickers, & a
<br />t -shirt transfers; Digital Photography; Sci -Fl Science)
<br />• In -depth investigations — three, 2 -hour workshops once per week
<br />Summer Science Day Camps
<br />•One-week
<br />sessions; 4 -hours daily
<br />• More than 40 topics offered over 10 week period
<br />• Ages: preschool to middle school
<br />"No School" Science Factory Days
<br />• Grades: K-6
<br />Birt
<br />hday Parties
<br />• Two - hours, including: exhibit halt; hands -on science project
<br />• (topics: Beautiful Birds; Cool Comets; Kaleidoscopes; Chemical
<br />Concoctions; Planetarium Show — Up in the Sky).
<br />Special Events
<br />• Astronomy Day
<br />• Bike Day
<br />• Bubbleology
<br />• Cavalcade of Crawling Creatures
<br />• Halloween Extravaganza; Book Fair; Holiday Open House
<br />• Junkyard Inventions
<br />• National Engineering Week
<br />• Science Demonstrations, lectures, and workshops
<br />Demographics: The Science Factory serves the
<br />197,000 persons residing in the cities of Eugene and
<br />Springfield (U.S. Census 2003), 332,000 persons in
<br />Lane County (U.S. Census 2004), and 622,000 persons
<br />within four counties, including adjacent counties of
<br />Benton, Douglas, and Linn (U.S. Census 2004).
<br />The Science Factory has a membership base of
<br />1,000 member families primarily from the Eugene/
<br />Springfield area but members also come from as for
<br />as the Portland Metro area to the north and Roseburg
<br />to the south. With an average family consisting of
<br />two parents and two children, the Science Factory's
<br />en gage inspirl�
<br />C. Yu
<br />Director of Education: Tracey Edmundson
<br />Planetarium Director: Sue Peterson
<br />Marketing Director: Joyce Berman
<br />e planetarium presents a set of presentations on
<br />planets, constellations, star gazing, and space exploration, which are updated
<br />regularly.
<br />Science Factory's educational programs offer children the chance to
<br />experience hands -on teaming, creative problem solving and discovery
<br />in a
<br />stimulating and fun environment.
<br />Program Summary
<br />Planetarium Programs
<br />• Live presentations for children and adults on a variety of astronomy - related
<br />topics which are updated regularly, such as: planets, satellites, and the
<br />solar system; space exploration; new discoveries; Hubble telescope; and
<br />comets and meteors.
<br />• Public shows and curriculum - targeted programs for school groups of all
<br />ages
<br />• Teacher workshops
<br />Exhibit Hall
<br />• Permanent and traveling interactive exhibits focused on science topics.
<br />Science Discovery Days for Preschoolers
<br />• Ages 3 -5 &parents (topics: Sound; Reptiles &Amphibians; Winter)
<br />• One day per month; 2-hour sessions
<br />Magic School Bus Adventures
<br />• Grades K -2 (topics: Insects, Circulation, Bats, Rainforest, Mirrors, Magnifiers,
<br />& Kaleidoscopes; Body Mechanics; Habitats; Smelt; Computer Art)
<br />• One day per week; 2 -hour classes
<br />Science Adventures Workshops
<br />• Grades 3 -5 (topics: Computer Art &Design; Crafts - magnets, stickers, & a
<br />t -shirt transfers; Digital Photography; Sci -Fl Science)
<br />• In -depth investigations — three, 2 -hour workshops once per week
<br />Summer Science Day Camps
<br />•One-week
<br />sessions; 4 -hours daily
<br />• More than 40 topics offered over 10 week period
<br />• Ages: preschool to middle school
<br />"No School" Science Factory Days
<br />• Grades: K-6
<br />Birt
<br />hday Parties
<br />• Two - hours, including: exhibit halt; hands -on science project
<br />• (topics: Beautiful Birds; Cool Comets; Kaleidoscopes; Chemical
<br />Concoctions; Planetarium Show — Up in the Sky).
<br />Special Events
<br />• Astronomy Day
<br />• Bike Day
<br />• Bubbleology
<br />• Cavalcade of Crawling Creatures
<br />• Halloween Extravaganza; Book Fair; Holiday Open House
<br />• Junkyard Inventions
<br />• National Engineering Week
<br />• Science Demonstrations, lectures, and workshops
<br />Demographics: The Science Factory serves the
<br />197,000 persons residing in the cities of Eugene and
<br />Springfield (U.S. Census 2003), 332,000 persons in
<br />Lane County (U.S. Census 2004), and 622,000 persons
<br />within four counties, including adjacent counties of
<br />Benton, Douglas, and Linn (U.S. Census 2004).
<br />The Science Factory has a membership base of
<br />1,000 member families primarily from the Eugene/
<br />Springfield area but members also come from as for
<br />as the Portland Metro area to the north and Roseburg
<br />to the south. With an average family consisting of
<br />two parents and two children, the Science Factory's
<br />en gage inspirl�
<br />
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