Statements
Mission
OUR MISSION: To provide a regional learning center to stimulate an interest in, and understanding of, and appreciation for science and mathematics, particularly among children in their formative years, their parents and their teachers.
Background
1989 - The Challenge. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astonautics (AIAA) asks member associations to originate a special emphasis program for the year that could be used as a model nationwide. Meanwhile unrelated science demonstrations in schools by we performed by the staff at the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI). The Arnold Engineering Development Center branch of AIAA originates idea of a science center and brings in UTSI and holds an organizational meeting March 23, 1990; the search for a new building begins in the summer. The Landing Gear Division of Goodrich donated 3.4 acres and fund-raisers bring in $250,000 in donations. The outreach Visiting Wizard continues reaching 35,000 children by the time the Hands-On Science building is dedicated in August 1995. HOSC continues as a nonprofit getting support from admissions, donations, gift shop sales, grants and hosting birthday parties. Over the last several years HOSC averages 18,000 visitors (10,000 children) a year which includes over 100 schools from 11 surrounding counties. Since inception HOSC has had over 50,000 volunteer hours with hundreds of highly motivated, focused high school students and many court appointed volunteers, many which eventually come back to help with building and engineering our exhibits!
Impact
ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1. HOSC had an impact on over 25,000 students and their families in 2019. 2. We opened a newly renovated Aquatic Ecosystems Exhibit.3. The first of a new series of rotational exhibits was open entitled 'Middle TN's Involvment in the Apollo Moon Landing'.4. We have been offering free monthly events to better reach low income families. GOALS1. HOSC's BOD continues developing a building expansion plan that will include 10,000 new square feet of exhibit space and a new parking area that is desperately needed. This will allow us to bring in more hands-on experiences for the visitors that come to us.2. HOSC is looking at hosting a regional science fair. This science fair would also include home school students as well.3. HOSC hopes to expand our program offerings to include a science club for teens. Our goal is to begin to reach people of all ages.4. HOSC hopes to be able to continue to host family nights at the center for no charge to families wishing to come. It is our goal to obtain sponsors for these events. 5. HOSC hopes to design a parent friendly area at the center to encourage attendance for the entire family.6. We hope to write more grants to improve the facility and to revamp, refurbish and reconstruct our many of our exhibits. 7. Due to COVID-19 shut down we are in the process of expanding our virtual offerings and now also offering free Tahe Home Science kits to the community.
Needs
Most people believe that the Hands-On Science Center receives state and federal funding when, in fact, HOSC receives none. All programs and services are provided through donations, grants, and revenue acquired from services HOSC renders. 1. The HOSC currently seeks sponsors for general operational funds. 2. Funds are needed for obtaining new exhibits to keep our visitors excited about the education and learning through science and math. Professional made exhibits will usually start around $5,000 and go up from there. We could use approximately $20,000 just to update and possibly acquire additional displays.3. We need funding to expand our outreach programs to disadvantaged children in other counties. 4. Funding is needed for the expansion of the HOSC. We hope to add an outdoor classroom, and an additional 10,000 square feet of exhibit space in the coming years. Our ideas, expertise, and educational programs have outgrown our facility!
CEO Statement
Going into my 3rd year as the Executive Director I am extremely excited about many of the changes we are making at the facility. Though we have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 including the temporary suspending of onsite visitation, the HOSC team is highly adaptable. Our new "HOSC Virtual" strategic plan with many initiative such as "HOSC Virtual Classroom", "HOSC Take Home Science", "HOSC Learning Portal", and more are taking off and growing exponentially every week. I am excited to continue to drive HOSC through the current COVID situation and have a huge array of established virtual opportunities available in addition to our facility and exhibits when we can once again reopen the doors.
Board Chair Statement
I have the privilege of being the Chair of the HOSC Board of Directors during an exciting time of growth. We continue to add to the breadth of expertise in our board and in our staff. This enhances our ability to inspire the youth of the area to discover the joy of learning and the fun of STEM. The additions also help us tell our story to a wider audience which enhances our support from the community. Several recent events and additions have opened the experience of the HOSC to previously under-served segments of our community. The community support in the form of time, talent, and treasure is the critical element in our ability to sustain and enhance our capabilities. Our social media presence assures that the opportunities provided are well-known. In addition, frequent admission-free events display the HOSC to people who otherwise might not learn what we offer. We look forward to meeting the challenge of being the best that we can be and an example for other STEM Centers.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Elementary & Secondary Schools |
| Secondary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Science & Technology Museums |
| Tertiary Category: | Science & Technology - General Science |
Areas Served
Although our home is in Tullahoma located in Coffee County, many of our visitors come from our surrounding counties and throughout the United States and Canada. With our new "HOSC Virtual" strategic plan we have already expanded our reach via virtual offerings to all 50 states and have a social media reach of over 80,000 monthly.
| TN - Bedford |
| TN - Cannon |
| TN - Coffee |
| TN - Franklin |
| TN - Lawrence |
| TN - Lincoln |
| TN - Moore |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - White |
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - Warren |
