The Da Vinci Discovery Center Of

“A copy of form 990 was reviewed by the organization's executive director/ceo and chief administrative officer/cfo before it was filed. A copy of the form 990 was distributed to the full board of trustees for their review and consideration. The executive director/ceo signs and certifies that the form 990 is complete and accurate.”

“The organization requires each member of the board to (1) annually review the policy; (2) disclose possible personal, family, or business relationships that could give rise to a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest; and (3) acknowledge by his/her signature that he/she is in accordance with the letter and spirit of this policy. Board members or officers who have declared or been found to have a conflict of interest shall refrain from participating in consideration of proposed transactions, unless for special reasons the board or administration requests information or interpretation. Persons with conflicts shall not vote, participate in discussion, or be present at the time of vote.”

“The organization's primary objective is to provide a reasonable and competitive executive total compensation opportunity consistent with market-based compensation practices for individuals possessing the experience and skills needed to improve the overall performance of the organization. While the organization focuses on comparable science center based nonprofit organizations in our area to benchmark pay, we also understand that the market for executive talent may be broader than this group. Market information from additional market segments such as astc (association of science and technology centers) and pano (pennsylvania association of non-profit organizations) may be used to supplement. Together with data from the comparable local organizations, data from these market segments will be used to form a "market composite" to assess the competitiveness of compensation. The organization's executive compensation program is administered by the executive committee of the board, led by the board chair. It is responsible for establishing and maintaining a competitive compensation program for the executive director/ceo of the organization. The executive committee shall perform a review of the executive director/ceo's performance every year and a review of compensation every two years. Annually the committee reviews and approves the base salary, and objectives and goals for the upcoming compensation period.”

“The organization makes the governing documents available to the public by allowing access to them upon request.”

“Form 990, part viii, statement of revenue 2023 - 2024 program service revenue -2a - museum operations - the da vinci discovery center of science and technology, inc. Collects admission fees at varying levels for participants to experience its interactive science exhibits, teacher professional development programs, science demonstrations, hands-on workshops, public programs, and other activities on and off-site that meet its objectives. Other revenue -8a - steam awards celebration the da vinci discovery center of science and technology's steam awards celebration honors students who show a unique passion for science, educators who inspire enthusiasm for science with innovative approaches, professionals and companies who bring science to life every day, and partners who support the science center's mission. All award winners have studied, worked, or lived in the science center's primary service area. The event is underwritten by corporate and individual sponsors and promotes excellence in steam education in the community and region. Selections are made through a nomination and review process. Finalists are honored at the event and presented with cash scholarships and awards. -8a - wise forum: the women in science and engineering (wise) forum encourages female students to consider careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (steam) fields. This unique event brings together female high school students, students and faculty from area universities, and accomplished women from steam fields. -10a - science museum store: the da vinci discovery center of science and technology, inc. Operates a science museum store that sells educational materials, toys, and books related to the exhibits in particular, and science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, in general. Purchases from the store encourage children to continue exploring science at home after they complete their visit and reinforce what they have seen and learned during their visit. Beginning in may 2024, the operation of the science museum store was contracted out to a third party firm.”

“Mission: the da vinci discovery center of science and technology, inc. (da vinci science center or center) is a pennsylvania nonprofit corporation whose mission is to bring science to life and lives to science. Service area: the da vinci science center is located in pennsylvania's lehigh valley, approximately 65 miles north of philadelphia, pa., and 90 miles west of new york, n.y. Its primary service area is eastern pennsylvania and western new jersey-home to 3.8 million people. Need: the lehigh valley has a thriving stem economy in need of a skilled workforce. According to the u.s. Department of labor, by 2025, approximately 63% of pa jobs will require some form of postsecondary education or training, and stem jobs will account for 91%. A significant number of new jobs will require a basic understanding of math and science. Schools need support preparing students for future high skill, high wage jobs. When tested in 2023, 74.2% of grade 4 students and 57.0% of grade 8 students in pennsylvania ranked proficient or above in science as measured by the pennsylvania system of school assessment (pssa) tests, while in the science center's service region, results from pssa test scores were mixed with proficiency scores as low as 15.7% in urban schools. Testing has consistently shown science proficiency scores dropping significantly between 4th and 8th grades, with many reasons contributing to why students disengage with stem over time. A growing body of research underscores that science capital, defined as an individual's scientific knowledge combined with how they think about science, who they know with an interest or career in science, and what sort of everyday engagement they have with science, is key to why students stay engaged with and succeed in stem. In order to provide students with the science capital needed to participate and succeed in stem post high school, we must help students understand what science is and how it works, be able to recognize its value in everyday life, know the transferrable nature of scientific ways of thinking to other career pathways, engage themselves and their families in science outside of school, increase positive family attitudes about science, and allow them to know people in science roles. Many groups traditionally excluded from avenues of stem learning such as women, people of color, and those living in low-income households, will continue to remain underrepresented in stem professions and will not see these careers as being "for them" unless we can address all these factors. Response to need: da vinci science center programs are designed to help students acquire science capital and develop skills to meet regional needs for a scientifically and mathematically literate workforce. Through engaging programs and experiences in classrooms and outside of school, the science center stimulates interest and appreciation for science and technology in young people, and the adults who influence them. The science center provides inquiry-based science learning experiences for individuals of all ages, connects people with the wonders of science in all aspects of their lives, integrates stem with the arts (steam) to provide an environment for innovation to flourish, and highlights 21st-century science and technology careers. The science center encourages active learning, curiosity, creativity, and imagination - traits inspired by leonardo da vinci and the transformative figures who have succeeded him into the modern age. Programs and services: to strengthen interest and achievement in science, the da vinci science center offers a variety of steam learning experiences for students, teachers, families, and individuals of all ages. Scholarships are available to ensure that finances are not a barrier to participation in science center programs. The center constructed a brand new, state-of-the-art 21st century science center, da vinci science center at ppl pavilion, in downtown allentown, pa. The new facility op”

“Volunteers provide various services for the organization. The majority of the volunteers assist with programs and group tours.”

“Form 990, part iii, statement of program service accomplishments during 2023 - 2024 in pursuit of its mission of bringing science to life and lives to science, the da vinci discovery center of science and technology, inc. Provided the following programs and services during 2023-2024 for individuals of all ages in eastern pennsylvania and western new jersey. Science center experiences were designed to promote interest in science, technology, engineering, art and math (steam) through hands on, engaging, and inspirational activities. On-site: -total in-building attendance and program participation exceeded 117,000 in 2023 - 2024. O 71,900 visitors experienced coordinated presentations of traveling exhibits and public programs designed to spark students' interest in discovery and science learning. In addition to the "playing with light" exhibit offered in the summer of 2022, the science center hosted body worlds rx during the winter and spring of 2023. This exhibit educates visitors about anatomy, physiology, and health through the observation of real human bodies permanently preserved through plastination. O 35,500 youth, including 32,600 school students, enjoyed the science center via group visits and school field trips. O program participation in science camps, science clubs and other center programs totaled 9,700. These programs provide longer, multi-day, in-depth experiences which greatly enhance their educational impact. Off-site: -science outreach assemblies, after-school programs and public outreach assemblies enrolled 44,300 participants. -an in-person women in science and engineering forum attended by more than 250 women and girls connected students with practicing female stem professionals. -stem summer learning programs enrolled 69 at risk youth during the summer of 2023 in a 6 week, 5 days per week summer classes designed to combat the summer learning slide. Other: -teacher professional development programs offered on-site and off-site provided 1,100 interactions engaging teachers and school administrators. Professional development concentrated on educating participants on next generation science teaching and learning practices incorporated in the science, technology, engineering, environmental literacy, and sustainability (steels) standards adopted by the pennsylvania department of education in january 2023. Full participation entitled these professionals up to 96 act 48 hours.”

“Yes, the da vinci science center partnered with the allentown school district to create pennsylvania's first stream academy. This strategic partnership establishes the science center as a second campus for central elementary school and provides daily access to the museum for hands-on learning experiences in classrooms and on the exhibit floor, as well as additional learning opportunities for students and teachers at central elementary. The partnership extends beyond central elementary, impacting prek-12 students and families across the district, including a free family membership for all enrolled asd students. Asd students are also among the first to participate in da vincis steam career pathways program, a laddered career exploration program for middle and high school students exposing them to careers and providing the opportunity to earn skill-based digital badges. Students who complete a series of badges which culminate in a paid internship and personal project earn the career pathways certificate. This program supports da vincis emphasis on helping to build a school to career education pipeline in support of high demand careers in the greater lehigh valley. While this program has started with students from asd, it will ultimately be offered to students across the region.”

“The da vinci discovery center of science and technology, inc. Provides hands-on, inquiry-based science education through interactive exhibits and a variety of educational programs for students, teachers, and families. (also see schedule o)”

“Other consulting fees 387,861 206,174 123,935 payroll services 0 16,238 0 total 387,861 222,412 123,935”

“Cost of goods sold 67,466 special event expenses 55,414 cost of goods sold -67,466 special event expenses -55,414”