News

Hands On wins grant for science programming

By Bill Moss, Published: January 24, 2017

Hands On: A Child's Gallery, the local children’s museum in downtown Hendersonville, won a $4,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to increase STEM education (Science Technology Engineering Math).

The grant will be used in a MAKERSPACE program on Thursdays and Fridays from 2 to 5 p.m. and for summer science programming. In a MAKERSPACE, kids can let their creativity run wild, make a mess, and have fun. MAKERSPACES are mentor-led learning environments where children and their families use real materials and tools to create, tinker, repurpose, upcycle, and make discoveries. These programs strengthen community-based learning, particularly for critical thinking, problem solving, and engagement in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).

At Hands On!, 414 kids attended the 16 days of MAKERSPACE in the winter of 2016, education coordinator Kay Campbell said.

“Adding the MAKERSPACE program provided an exciting example of creative learning that engaged visitors in new ways, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to offer it again this year thanks to the Duke Energy Grant," she said.

The Duke Energy Foundation strives to improve the quality of life in communities they serve by sharing their time through volunteer efforts, their expertise through leadership, and their financial support through grants to charitable organizations. “Duke Energy Foundation has certainly been a wonderful partner for Hands On! and has assisted us in growing our impact in STEM education for 10 years. We are proud of and grateful for their continued support,” said Heather Boeke, Executive Director of Hands On!

For more information visit handsonwnc.org or call 828.697.8333.