The Engineering Service-learning team is partnering with the Fresno Discovery Center this semester to design a new exhibit to add to their current displays. The Fresno Discovery Center has a long history in the Central Valley dating back to 1954 when it opened as the Fresno Jr. Museum of Science and Natural History. Since then, the museum has been a top destination for children around the valley. The museum provides many services to schools and families that are designed to foster principles of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) into its visitors.
Year after year the Fresno Discovery Center has proven itself to be of great interest and service to its nearby schools and communities as it has reached over 12,000 school children through its school fieldtrip program per year, and over 26,000 visitors annually through their family friendly tours and visits. Of all these visitors that come through their doors, a vast majority are children aged 5 through 10 years old. Their services offered however, do not stop at just school and family visits. They also offer birthday parties and museum rentals, so that every occasion from weddings to corporate team building events can be hosted on the premises.
The museum’s success can be attributed to the quality and variety of its exhibits and engaging hands on activities. In addition to STEAM, they host exhibits that aim to educate children about wildlife around the state through exhibits such as a tortoise compound and their absolutely beautiful Deutsch Cactus Garden which is nearly 90 years old, an acre in size, and features over 250 different types of cacti and succulents. Always looking to expand and improve its offerings for the benefit of the children, the center is currently planning an expansion that would add more room for an Air and Space Museum and Natural History Museum. The Engineering Service-learning team at UC Merced is committed to helping the museum expand and accomplish its mission statement of “igniting curiosity and imagination in Central Valley youth by providing hands on STEM experiences.”
