Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Dr. Leah Melber, President and CEO of Adventure Science Center in Nashville, Tennesee, who discusses recent renovations and expansions that have updated the center’s exhibits and added new educational spaces. Dr. Melber highlights some of their newest exhibitions, like Fossil Frontiers, a special space just for 5 and under, and an observational bee hive that is part of a new Tennessee Pollinators exhibition created in partnership with TDOT. The center’s efforts to engage children in STEM and healthcare careers are highlighted, along with its impact on serving Tennessee communities and attracting visitors from across the globe. Dr. Melber shares the vision for the future and talks about various ways to support the nonprofit organization, including financial contributions, memberships, and partnerships.
Adventure Science Center Exhibit Updates
Dr. Leah Melber, President and CEO of Adventure Science Center, discusses recent renovations that involve updating 30% of the center’s exhibits, including the addition of five new exhibition spaces. She highlights the Tennessee Pollinators exhibit with an observational bee hive, their Fossil Frontiers exhibition featuring a large dinosaur, and an under-five space with interactive features for young children. The center also opened a new education center with additional classroom space, allowing for more hands-on activities on weekends and for field trips.
Advancing STEM and Healthcare Careers
Leah discusses the Adventure Science Center’s efforts to engage children in STEM and healthcare careers through exhibits and programs, emphasizing the importance of career exploration and community involvement. She highlights the center’s impact, serving all 95 counties in Tennessee and attracting visitors from across the United States and internationally. Leah also describes future plans to expand career exploration opportunities, particularly in healthcare, to address the growing need for healthcare professionals in the state.
Supporting Adventure Science Center
Jeremy and Leah discuss the various ways the community can support Adventure Science Center, a nonprofit organization. They highlight the importance of financial contributions, memberships, and social media engagement from the general public. Leah emphasizes the value of partnerships with funders, corporations, and foundations, noting that these collaborations often involve more than just financial support, including content contributions and institutional representation. Jeremy praised Adventure Science Center’s participation in community events like Kid’s Dental Day and Shoe Distribution, which fosters collaboration and provides educational experiences. Leah also mentions their facility rental program for corporate events and a successful partnership with social media star Blippi, which attracted a large number of first-time visitors.
Adventure Science Center Expansion Plans
Leah shares exciting upcoming developments at Adventure Science Center, including exhibit expansions to focus on river health and a new color-themed area for children under five opening next spring. She notes that visitors are expressing enthusiasm about returning to see more of the exhibits, indicating increased engagement. The center’s website and social media platforms are recommended for visitors interested in memberships, tickets, and event information.
Visit https://www.adventuresci.org to learn more and get involved with Adventure Science Center.
