LMK Advocacy was hired to help the Dayton Society of Natural History and Boonshoft Museum of Discovery secure funding to support their new STEM Education Wing. 

 

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery's programs and exhibits give over 150,000 children hands-on experiences in archaeology, astronomy, biology, chemistry, engineering, geology, paleontology, physics, robotics, and nearly any other subject found in the world of science.  Students engage in learning that would have been impossible anywhere else in the region. It’s the Dayton region’s natural history museum, science center, children’s museum, planetarium, observatory, and zoo.  

 

The Museum’s commitment to the expanded educational opportunities for youth in the region compels us to address the shortcomings of the current facility. We plan to refurbish the existing building and add a new wing. This update and expansion will ensure that the Museum will continue to be a regional draw that will support economic vitality and a high quality of life.

 

The expansion will provide flexible space for a dedicated area for the summer camp, freeing up exhibit space now used for that purpose and enabling expansion to 1,500+ campers.  It will add classrooms for the FIRST Lego League Robotics (doubling from 6 to 12 teams on-site), after school and weekend STEM programs. We estimate an additional 25,000 students could be served annually upon the completion of this expansion.

 

LMK paved the way for the museum to receive a high priority ranking by local economic development leaders during the Dayton Region Priority Development and Advocacy Committee (PDAC) process. LMK organized tours for committee members spending a great deal of time educating them about the project as well as the museum’s countless program offerings to the community. 

 

After the Museum received a high regional prioritization ranking from PDAC, LMK worked with Museum leaders to share that same message with the local regional legislative delegation. Legislators were welcomed to the museum for  “behind the scenes” tours and participated in discussions about the significant regional impact of the STEM Education Wing.

 

Regional legislative leaders recommended the project receive priority ranking from them, as well. Leaders in both the House and Senate recommended priority ranking for funding for the Museum. Leadership in both chambers agreed and the project was funded.

 

In May of 2016, the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery was awarded $1Million to support their STEM Education Wing.