ASU, Arizona Science Center partnership aims to promote STEM education

Arizona Science Center and Arizona State University announce the formation of a new partnership to share dynamic science happenings with the Arizona community, and to motivate and inspire K-12 students to pursue post-secondary education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines.

“ASU has been at the forefront in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math,” said Chevy Humphrey, president and CEO of Arizona Science Center. “Through this partnership, we hope to expand our meaningful learning opportunities by sharing ASU's cutting-edge research and scientific developments.” 

ASU is advancing a new model for 21st century higher education – one that measures itself not by those it excludes, but by those it includes – and pursues leading edge research that contributes to the public good, assuming major responsibility for the economic, social and cultural vitality of the communities it serves. Through this partnership with Arizona Science Center, ASU will more fully realize its vision as a New American University dedicated to excellence, access and impact. The Science Center serves more than 400,000 visitors annually, including 140,000 school children. Through the Center's audiences, ASU will be able to further its commitment to enhancing discovery within the Arizona community.

Arizona Science Center aims to inspire, educate and entertain people of all ages about science. Interactive and informational exhibits at the Science Center make science and technology relevant and give children and adults alike the opportunity to put fun and hands-on exploration at the center of learning. Working with ASU will allow the Center to expand the depth and breadth of its offerings, while highlighting research and innovations happening in its own backyard.

"Educational partnerships that inspire innovation, enhance broad accessibility to knowledge, and generate new learning and discovery opportunities are integral to the future success of our state, region and nation,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “We are proud to establish such an alliance with the Arizona Science Center to benefit the communities we serve."

Through this partnership, ASU and the center will set the standard for a university and science center collaboration, both nationally and internationally. Together, they will plan joint exhibits, educational activities, lecture series, planetarium shows, demonstrations, and more. We envision a long-term partnership that provides a continuous flow of innovative research and educational activities, projects and exhibits for K-12 teachers, students and the general public.

"We are very excited to have this unique opportunity to collaborate with the Arizona Science Center and embed ASU within the community,” said Sethuraman “Panch” Panchanathan, senior vice president with ASU’s Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development. “This is an important partnership that enables ASU to integrate the innovative and impactful ideas from our labs into an environment that will inspire and motivate future generations of talent."

Supporting this partnership, ASU’s Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development is dedicated to advancing research, innovation, entrepreneurial activities and economic development efforts at ASU, in Arizona, and beyond.

A kickoff event to launch this strategic partnership is set for 5 p.m., Oct. 26, at Arizona Science Center in downtown Phoenix. Attendees will witness firsthand the potential of this collaboration and interact with ASU researchers and scientists and explore Arizona Science Center’s exhibits. Information about this partnership is available online at www.inspireazscience.org.