MetLife Foundation Awards $1.25 million to Science Museums; Grants Will Support Education Programs and Underwrite Exhibitions to Promote Understanding of Aging

The purpose of the program is to increase science educationopportunities for people of all ages and encourage exhibitions thatpromote a better understanding of aging. The winning museums, selectedfrom 86 science museums submitting proposals, will create newexhibitions, implement science education programs for young people andolder adults, and provide teacher training and internshipopportunities and professional development to encourage young peopleto enter the science and teaching professions.

"MetLife Foundation has a long history of supporting educationalprograms through museums," said Sibyl Jacobson, president and CEO ofMetLife Foundation. "Museums enrich our lives in so many ways. Sciencemuseums, in particular, are among the most popular museums and serveas excellent community and educational resource. We are pleased tosupport these museums in their effort to engage people of all ages anddiverse backgrounds in discovering and learning about new things."

Examples of Winning Projects

-- Life: The Science of Aging will be the latest addition to the Hall of Life exhibition at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. A collaboration with the University of Colorado at Bolder, Children's Hospital at University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and the Colorado Consortium for Older Adult Wellness, Life: The Science of Aging will focus on the molecular science behind aging, changes that occur during the life span and the personal choices that can have a positive affect on health and longevity.

-- To honor senior citizens for their contributions to society and to foster respect for elders, the Brogan Museum of Art and Science in Tallahassee is partnering with Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Florida State University Geriatric Medical School and Tallahassee Community College to create a multi-media project entitled Wisdom of the Ages: Lessons Learned at Our Elders' Knees. The project will include an interactive photography exhibition, an audio-visual production, a related website and teacher resource materials. Mobile replicas of the exhibition will be on display at various locations. Inter-generational programs and outreach effort will reach populations of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

-- The National Atomic Museum's (Alberqueque, NM) "Up 'n' Atom Mobile" is an interactive science and technology education van that takes hands-on science learning programs to rural schools in New Mexico and on Native American land. During the 2005 - 2006 school year, the "Up 'n' Atom Mobile" program will reach 5,500 students in grades 4 - 12.

-- The grant will support the Des Moines-based Science Center of Iowa's School and Group Programs, which reaches 50,000 students a year through an array of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities to stimulate development of students' critical thinking skills, increase their interest in science and technology careers and further their understanding of science concepts and theories. Collaborating with area education organizations, public schools and youth service groups, the Science Center takes science programs to under-served children throughout the state.

-- Recognizing an increasing interest among working adults and seniors in learning about science and new technology, the Discovery Museum and Planetarium in Bridgeport, CT has partnered with a number of community organizations and the local public access cable program producer to create the Discovery Learning Series. The program will include 6 - 8 week long science courses, seminars and lectures that are taylored to the interest and learning styles of working adults and seniors.

Complete List of Partnership Grant Recipients
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Arizona Science Center (Phoenix, AZ)

Brogan Museum of Art and Science (Tallahassee, FL)

Carnegie Science Center (Pittsburgh, PA)

Catawba Science Center (Hickory, NC)

COSI Toledo (Toledo, OH)

Denver Museum of Nature and Science (Denver, CO)

The Discovery Museum and Planetarium (Bridgeport, CT)

The Discovery Place (Charlotte, NC)

Fairbanks Museum & Planetarium (Saint Johnsbury, VT)

The Franklin Institute Science Museum (Philadelphia, PA)

Liberty Science Center (Jersey City, NJ)

Maryland Science Center (Baltimore, MD)

McWane Center-Discovery 2000 (Birmingham, AL)

Museum of Discovery and Science (Fort Lauderdale, FL)

Museum of Science (Boston, MA)

National Atomic Museum (Albuquerque, NM)

The New Detroit Science Center (Detroit, MI)

New York Hall of Science (Flushing, NY)

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum at Chicago Academy of Sciences
(Chicago, IL)

Orlando Science Center (Orlando, FL)

Pacific Science Center (Seattle, WA)

Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (San Diego, CA)

Science Center of Iowa (Des Moines, IA)

Science Central, Inc. (Fort Wayne, IN)

Science Museum of Minnesota (Saint Paul, MN)

SciTech Hands on Museum (Aurora, IL)

Partnership for Lifelong Learning

Supporting and increasing educational opportunities for all peopleis a key emphasis for MetLife Foundation. Recognizing the importantcontributions and educational value of museums, MetLife Foundation hasawarded grants totaling over $20 million in recent years to museumsacross the country. To further its commitment to education and supportfor the museum field, MetLife Foundation created the Partnership forLifelong Learning, a grant program to encourage science museums todevelop innovative programs that reach people of all ages and engagethem in learning,

In partnership with the Association of Science and TechnologyCenters (ASTC), an invitation to apply was extended to all the sciencemuseums in the United States. The selection process was based on themuseum's ability to meet a significant need; project outcomes;commitment to serving diverse populations; innovation and, andlong-range implications.

"MetLife Foundation's Partnership for Lifelong Learning programprovides a wonderful opportunity for science centers and museumsacross the country to continue and expand their efforts to engagevisitors of all ages," said Bonnie VanDorn, ASTC's executive director."The funded projects will have a significant impact on communitieslarge and small, demonstrating what science centers do best: helpingthe public explore important issues like aging in ways they not onlyunderstand, but enjoy."

MetLife Foundation

MetLife Foundation was established by MetLife to continue thecompany's long tradition of corporate contributions and communityinvolvement. The Foundation supports programs that improve education,promote health, encourage parental involvement and family engagement,help revitalize neighborhoods and stress accessibility and inclusion.In recent years, a focus on Alzheimer's and aging issues has beenadded. MetLife Foundation stresses education in all its programs.Recognizing the vital role the arts play in building communities andeducating young people, the Foundation contributes to arts andcultural organizations across the United States, with an emphasis onincreasing opportunities for young people, reaching broad audiencesthrough inclusive programming, and making arts more accessible for allpeople. For more information about the Foundation, please visit itsWeb site at www.metlife.org.