SCHENECTADY, N.Y. —  The Schenectady Museum is being transformed into a regional science and education center with the addition of the region’s only Challenger Learning Center and an agreement with the internationally renowned San Francisco-based Exploratorium Museum to provide five years of interactive science exhibits.  In addition, a partnership with Rensselaer’s School of Architecture has been formed to create a new entrance that will aggrandize its presence on the community landscape.  The new Science Center is projected to bring tens of thousands of school children and visitors into an interactive realm in the region each year.

“This is a huge moment not just for the museum but also for the Capital Region.  The new Science Center will serve as a hub for science and technology education in the community and will be an important attraction for visitors to Schenectady and the region,” said Brad Lewis, president of the center’s board of trustees.  “The leadership and hard work of many people – but most importantly, Neil and Jane Golub – have brought us to the point of this re-launch.”

Based on the space shuttle and NASA space exploration program, the Challenger Learning Center (CLC) will enable students to experience a space-themed science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program for the first time in this region.  The program will include a two-month-long classroom study program that will help students apply and enhance their decision-making skills, solve problems and communicate.  The culmination of the students’ classroom work is a simulated space flight to launch a space probe into a comet’s tail or a flight to the moon or Mars.  The “mission” will take place at the CLC where, on NASA-type equipment, the students will work as a team, to utilize navigation, life support, science, computer technology and math skills to solve problems.  One team of students will operate the “mission control room,” while another will operate the “space vehicle.”  During the mission they will be called upon to utilize the science, math and other skills that will be taught in the classroom.

“The overall goal of the CLC is to create an interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies for students in grades five to eight and encourage them to pursue high school STEM studies.  Bringing this program to the new Science Center will expose thousands of students from across the region to STEM studies each year,” said Dr. Heidi DeBlock, board president of the Challenger Learning Center of the Capital Region.

“Getting students interested and engaged in STEM is critical for our region so that we can continue to supply regional employers with a locally educated and highly motivated workforce,” said Charles Dedrick, district superintendent of the Capital Region BOCES.  “We heartily endorse this effort and cannot wait to launch the first mission.”

Preparation for construction of the CLC has already begun and the center is expected to be open at the end of this year and ready for student missions at the beginning of 2013.

In addition to the CLC, the Science Center has entered into a partnership with ExNet, providers of exhibits for the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco.  The Exploratorium is the global leader in informal learning, designed to ignite curiosity and inspire creativity in people of all ages. The world-renowned science museum creates original, interactive exhibits on display at more than 1,000 science centers, museums and public spaces around the world. Dedicated to education reform in and out of the classroom, the Exploratorium is a premier professional development center for educators and a creator of award-winning educational resources. Since 1969, the Exploratorium has influenced generations of entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, teachers, students, children, museum professionals and everyday doers, reaching nearly 200 million people from around the globe annually.

Each year, ExNet will bring 3,500 square feet of new interactive world-class science exhibitions to the Science Center and provide training and student curricula.  “Seeing,” the first exhibition, will be installed and opened to the public by October 6 of this year.

“We are excited to bring this world-class opportunity for learning and exploration to New York’s Capital Region.  The region’s history, rich in the tradition of entrepreneurship and innovation, coupled with its future as a global leader in technology and high-tech manufacturing, make it a perfect place to provide this kind of hands-on learning opportunity, designed to stimulate young minds and get them to look differently at the world around them,” said Sam Dean, director – consultancy of the Exploratorium.

Planning for construction and installation of the two major new attractions is well underway.  At the same time, Rensselaer’s School of Architecture has been engaged to create a modern new look for the Science Center with a redesigned entrance facing Nott Terrace.  The dramatic new approach will help overlook the city center and help celebrate the renaissance of the City of Schenectady.  Rensselaer recently completed a similar project for the Hyde Museum in Glens Falls.

“The new regional Science Center represents a cultural gem to the community and in turn will become an inspiring destination for people of all ages for years to come. We are excited about getting involved and becoming a partner in this important initiative,” said Evan Douglis, dean of Rensselaer’s School of Architecture.

This entire project – including raising all of the funds for both the CLC and ExNet installations – was completed in just six months through the leadership and generosity of Neil and Jane Golub.  Support has come in from civic and business leaders as well as corporations and charitable foundations from throughout the Capital Region, including a substantial grant from National Grid.

“We are exceptionally grateful to Neil and Jane Golub for their commitment to this project and our community.  They have done much more than contribute to this project.  Their initiative, vision and hard work, in addition to their leadership gift, put these projects in motion and got them to fruition,” said Lewis.

Support for the CLC has come from the New York State Senate through the efforts of Senator Hugh Farley.  “This is an important day for Schenectady and the Capital Region and for thousands of students and children who will visit this center in the coming years to open their eyes and focus their minds on learning about science, technology, engineering and math,” said Senator Farley.  “Giving them the education they deserve and providing future employers with the highly skilled and motivated workforce they want is critical to the long-term future of our communities.”

“Reinvigorating the museum and transitioning it into a regional science center and hub for STEM education, as well as making it an attraction for visitors to our community, presents an incredible opportunity for the future of the Capital Region,” said Neil Golub.  “Jane and I are thrilled that this vision has taken hold so quickly and will materialize before the end of the year.”