At nVent, supporting our communities is part of our culture and values. Through the nVent Foundation and our broader nVent in Action program, we empower our employees to give to the causes they care about. As part of Global Volunteerism Month in May, we will be spotlighting some of our community partners.
Our next philanthropic partner is the Science Museum of Minnesota. nVent has supported the museum for the last couple years.
Through education, in-person experiences, online learning, and more, the Science Museum of Minnesota is dedicated to collaborating with the community to create a world where everyone has the power to use science to make lives better.
With the help of visitors, volunteers, staff and community partners, the museum uses science to figure out how our world works. Between its interactive exhibits, collection of over two million objects and continuous scientific research, there is always something new to discover.
The Science Museum of Minnesota was founded in 1907. The museum is located on the banks of the Mississippi River in Saint Paul and includes public gallery space, collection research and storage facilities, scientific labs, a zero-emissions Science House and an Imax Convertible Dome Omnitheater. Every year, more than one million visitors, educators, students and guests from around the world travel to the museum.
nVent provides financial support for the Kitty Anderson Youth Science Center (KAYSC), the museum’s flagship youth program. The mission of the KAYSC is to inspire youth to participate in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The KAYSC provides out-of-school programing for hundreds of underserved youth with the goals of building leadership skills, career readiness and fostering confidence and appreciation of STEM. It helps youth excel by teaching them practical technology skills, getting them involved and invested in community contribution and service and preparing them for education and future careers.
The impact of the KAYSC on participants is evident. KAYSC participants are 56% female and 91% BIPOC. Sixty-six percent of participants say the KAYSC influenced their career plans and 31% of KAYSC participants report an increase in STEM career skills confidence.
“We really focus on cultivating a STEM identity. We are actively addressing not only the identity development that needs to take place, so youth see themselves in STEM but also creating the pathways into STEM careers and higher education.” said Thulani Jwacu, KAYSC Director at the Science Museum. “nVent's support helps us not only support the youth that are participating, but to strengthen our community as well.”
Recently, nVent was a program sponsor of the Science Celebration, an interactive night at the museum to raise funds for the museum’s programming. The evening celebrated science, technology, engineering, art and math, featuring one-of-a-kind demonstrations and activities by museum scientists.
“The Science Museum of Minnesota has been a great partner for nVent with our STEM Education Grants and employees’ regular volunteerism at the museum.” said Danielle Plantz, Inclusion and Diversity Specialist. “The meaningful engagement with the community and the opportunity it gives nVent employees to interact with each other has helped grow this relationship into such a fun experience. We are so thankful for the team at the Science Museum of Minnesota!”