Reports

Notable Exhibits: 

Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats (travel exhibit)

Extreme Deep: Into the Abyss (travel exhibit)

Sikorsky Archives (designed by our team with support from Sikorsky/Lockheed and the Sikorsky Archives)

If/Then Gender Equity Exhibit (designed by our team with support from the Association of Science and Technology Centers; about 75% of visitors complete our scavenger hunt!)

 

Milestones-

• In July 2023, we opened our Recentering Center, a semi-private space for guests to visit with sensory-friendly stimuli, calming lighting and furniture, and external sound dampening. Discovery aims to serve all audiences with high-quality, interactive STEAM learning throughout our public exhibit spaces, and seeks to embed accessibility practices into all facets of a visit. In our efforts to do so, we have implemented many efforts such as special sensory-friendly event days, the inclusion of markings for loud noises or bright lights on our maps, the creation of a family restroom and lounge, the installation of Braille-friendly artwork and books, and offering free admission for special needs caretakers. Even with these efforts, it is clear that some of our guests would benefit from a place to decompress and to be separated from the busy exhibits if they become overwhelmed. The goal of the Recentering Center is to provide a safe space to do so, with activities inside that will provide options for our guests to spend time while they get ready to rejoin the audience at large. 

• In school year 2022-2023, Discovery marked our 10th year of operation for our STEM Accelerators: Future Innovators afterschool program, which serves students from Bridgeport Public Schools with programming that develops their skills in fields they may not have an opportunity to explore in school. The program provides transportation, meals, summer scholarships, and family memberships to break down barriers to participation in STEAM.

• Our summer programs had a record year, with 273 unique students served. We were able to provide scholarship support for 37% of registrations, which included extended childcare and meals, thanks to our sponsors.

• We served about 12,000 students on field trips in school year 2022-2023, about 50% of whom visited from Bridgeport schools and community organizations.

Other notable mentions, some ongoing -

• Discovery offers free admission to Bridgeport residents every Wednesday

• Discovery served as the presenting sponsor for this year's WEBE108 Backpack Giveaway back-to-school event

• 2 Discovery staff now serve as adjunct professors at SHU

• Many of our public-facing staff (birthday hosts, receptionists, volunteers, summer and weekend educators) are SHU students or alumn