Discovery Center of Springfield wins $1 million prize to 'transform education'

Claudette Riley, Springfield News-Leader
·3 min read
Kids like Paisley Dunbar got hands-on experience in STEM education in Discovery School at the Center this past year. The Discovery Center is providing a variety of educational programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kids like Paisley Dunbar got hands-on experience in STEM education in Discovery School at the Center this past year. The Discovery Center is providing a variety of educational programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Discovery Center of Springfield, which stayed open and expanded services during the pandemic, has won a $1 million prize aimed at transforming education.

The nonprofit science center was singled out for the inaugural STOP Award from the Center for Education Reform and Forbes. The acronym STOP stands for sustainable, transformational, outstanding, permissionless education.

“We are humbled and honored to represent Springfield and the great state of Missouri through the STOP Award and even more humbled to have been chosen as the grand prize winner," said Rob Blevins, executive director. "To think that the very best educational COVID response happened in downtown Springfield proves that that anyone can use the resources they have to change the world or their community for the better."

The award was open to education innovators, providers and entrepreneurs who supported underserved communities during the pandemic and want to expand services in the coming year.

The center opened provided childcare for the families of first-responders during the early days of the pandemic. Later, it opened a school.

Rob Blevins, executive director at the Discovery Center, sets up the ball in front of a Newton's cradle at the new 9-hole indoor miniature golf course at the science museum. The new exhibit opens to the public on Sunday, March 31, 2019.
Rob Blevins, executive director at the Discovery Center, sets up the ball in front of a Newton's cradle at the new 9-hole indoor miniature golf course at the science museum. The new exhibit opens to the public on Sunday, March 31, 2019.

The center in downtown Springfield offers hands-on learning about science, technology, engineering and math.

With the funds, the center plans to expand and update infrastructure and create an app that will allow more individuals to benefit from the educational offerings.

"We are going to keep serving kids," Blevins told the News-Leader. "A million dollars in Springfield, Missouri goes a long way. We are going to keep changing the world and keep developing and expanding."

In March 2020, as the pandemic was officially hitting the Ozarks, the center pivoted to provide in-person services for families.

Employees created classrooms and turned the center into a licensed emergency child care center that followed strict safety protocols to limit the spread of COVID-19.

More: Discovery Center offers tutoring, child care for SPS students in ex-college building

They provided a place for the children of healthcare staff and other essential workers to go five days a week

In August, the center leased and modified the former Everest College building to allow students in hybrid learning models to complete the virtual portion of their learning with the support of tutors.

Students at the Discovery Center learned about opioids in the lab during the substance abuse education and prevention program that is set to get funding by the state for the 2022 school year.
Students at the Discovery Center learned about opioids in the lab during the substance abuse education and prevention program that is set to get funding by the state for the 2022 school year.

Students were socially distanced and placed in pods of 10 students per teacher. This also supported working parents.

The recent expansion is separate from the Academy of Exploration, a magnet or choice school offered by Springfield Public Schools and located at the center. It serves up to 40 fifth-graders each school year.

In early December, the center was named one of 20 semifinalists for the STOP award. It was later named one of the five finalists.

More: Discovery Center to receive $250,000 in state funding to continue science of opioids program

"We are so inspired by the STOP Award participants, semifinalists and the courage, innovation and leadership of educators across the country who have amplified the application of their brilliance to make the lives of their students better as they faced the daunting challenges of the pandemic," said Mike Hoque, CEO of Hoque Global and a supporter of the award, in a news release.

"... We cannot wait to see what all of these amazing educators and their students will do next."

The winner was announced Tuesday in New York City.

In January, the center launched the Discovery School, funded through a federal program to provide education to children of under-resourced families.

Nearly half of the 60 full-time students attend at no cost to their families and services now included early childhood education with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.

With the prize, the center plans to expand its current educational offerings to become a full-time school for hundreds of students including a STEM-themed playground. It will also seek to serve communities outside of Springfield.

Claudette Riley is the education reporter for the News-Leader. Email news tips to criley@news-leader.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Discovery Center of Springfield wins $1M STOP award prize