Press Release For Immediate Release

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Arizona Science Center Reaching More Students and Teachers with Grant from the PNC Foundation

PNC Funding to Support Science Center’s STEM Early Learning Efforts

PHOENIX, AZ - (November 10, 2020) Arizona Science Center is pleased to share that the PNC Foundation is providing a $50,000 grant to support early learning STEM programs. The grant will allow the programs to reach an estimated 2,100 children and 250 educators.

With the support of the PNC Foundation, Arizona Science Center will provide high-quality, early education and training in STEM through our PreK Science on Wheels program and our Early Childhood Professional Development workshops for teachers. This effort is particularly critical as Arizona eliminated state-funded preschool programs in 2001, shifting the burden onto school districts and other providers to fill the need.

“Our youngest learners are sponges for new information and learning and we owe it to them to give them every opportunity to put them on a path for academic success,” said Arizona Science Center Hazel A. Hare President and CEO Chevy Humphrey. “We thank PNC for their support in our efforts to engage these early learners and ensure early childhood educators have the skills and strategies to create effective learning environments.”

PreK Science on Wheels hosts programs virtually and on-site at preschools, libraries, and community resource centers. The professional development workshops provide comprehensive training and coaching for early learning educators. The Science Center’s trainings are aligned with CLASS, NAEYC program standards, and Arizona Departure of Education state standards.

“We are eager to serve as a strong corporate citizen in Arizona and are proud to support the Science Center’s early learning opportunities,” said Cathleen Walker, PNC regional president and head of corporate banking for Arizona.

“PNC knows that a foundation in quality early learning is vital for preparing children to develop essential skills and to be kindergarten-ready,” said Lourdes Sierra, PNC Vice President, Client & Community Relations.

This is the first grant from PNC to Arizona Science Center. Based in Pittsburgh, PNC is expanding their presence to Arizona. PNC created its Grow Up Great initiative more than 16 years ago to focus on quality early childhood education and collaborates with organizations like Sesame Street, Fred Rogers Productions and National Head Start.

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ABOUT PNC FOUNDATION

The PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from The PNC Financial Services Group (www.pnc.com), actively supports organizations that provide services for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence. The foundation focuses its philanthropic mission on early childhood education and community and economic development, which includes the arts and culture. Through Grow Up Great, its signature cause that began in 2004, PNC has created a bilingual $500 million, multi-year initiative to help prepare children from birth to age 5 for success in school and life.

 

ABOUT ARIZONA SCIENCE CENTER

The mission of Arizona Science Center is to inspire, educate and engage curious minds through science. The Center is committed to providing a safe environment that aligns with expert protocols for COVID-19. Leadership actively monitors and evolves policies to ensure a focus on the health and safety of guests and team members. The Center, located at 600 E. Washington Street in downtown Phoenix, features more than 300 hands-on exhibits, live demonstrations, a range of interactive online science content, the state-of-the-art Dorrance Planetarium and the five-story Irene P. Flinn Giant Screen Theater. CREATE at Arizona Science Center^®, adjacent to the main building, is the newest addition. This 6,500 square foot community makerspace provides workshops, including 3D printing, laser cutting, woodworking and sewing. The Center offers programs for all ages, including Camp Innovation, Teen programs, Professional Development and Learning for Educators, and adults’ night out: Science With A Twist. The Center also offers a broad range of online science learning resources for parents, educators, students and anyone curious about science. For further details, please visit azscience.org.

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