Science City and PNC launched its new PNC Discovery Lab vehicle as part of a $1 million dollar PNC Grow Up Great grant to support early learning education programs in underserved communities.
The PNC Discovery Lab will travel to early education centers — such as Head Start locations — and provide onsite programming by Science City educators. The Lab is spacious and fully equipped to deliver high-value, educator-led programming. Funding from the grant covered the vehicle’s cost, an exterior wrap, dedicated early childhood programming and three years’ worth of visits focusing on underserved communities and head start programs.
Announced in 2018, PNC Foundation awarded Science City the grant to support early education programs, including a new, purpose-built PNC Learning Lab inside the nearly 100,000-square-foot Science Center. That grant is now culminating with the unveiling of a PNC Discovery Lab vehicle, which will take early childhood education programming on the road to underserved communities, extending the reach of Science City to both sides of the state line.
In 2020, Science City opened three new spaces dedicated to early learning – the biggest expansion in 20 years. The $7.6 million project included state-of-the-art, experiential exhibits totaling 13,000 square feet: Creative Corner, Let’s Play! and All Aboard. These three exhibits are part of the nearly 100,000 square feet of hands-on experience Science City offers.
Since that 2020 grand opening, Science City has continued to focus on early childhood development programming with daily activities, the annual PNC KidFEST event, and most recently, Week of Young Child, a week’s worth of events and activities sponsored by the National Association of Education of Young Children.
In total, Science City – powered by Burns & McDonnell — features over 300 interactive exhibits. Internationally awarded and voted one of the top 25 Science Centers in the U.S., Science City is a family-favorite destination located in the heart of downtown Kansas City.
For schools and community organizations interested in booking the new “PNC Discovery Lab” for an onsite appearance, visit sciencecity.unionstation.org/program/stage-shows