Carnegie Science Center STEM Center

Our society is built on science and technology. In order to be educated and engaged citizens of the world in the 21st century, everyone needs to know and understand the basics of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). For our nation, and our region, to remain economically and environmentally strong and sustainable, we must ensure that the upcoming generation has strong STEM skills, both to fill workforce needs and to solve the complex problems of our times. Carnegie Science Center launched its Chevron Center for STEM Education and Career Development to help meet these needs by fostering great teaching; inspired learners; collaboration; and a committed community. The STEM Center's Mission and Goals are built on these four pillars. As a proven leader in, and advocate for, informal science education, Carnegie Science Center has long demonstrated the ability to work with all of the relevant stakeholders, and to deliver high-quality, meaningful informal STEM education programming and experiences to the students of our region. Efforts are organized through the cultivation of a highly engaged community advisory group consisting of active leaders in all the relevant sectors. The role of informal science education in STEM efforts is critical. A 2009 study by the National Research Council confirmed that exposure to informal science education – the kind of inspirational, hands-on learning that science center provide – enables students to grasp concepts faster and more easily.