DISCOVERY SCIENCE CENTER OF ORANGE COUNTY (3)

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Organization mission The Discovery Cube has enjoyed a long, close partnership with the and history: City of Santa Ana for 22 years, successfully working together to provide important educational services to the children and families of our community. The Cube opened its doors as a non-profit science center on Main Street in 1998 with a mission to inspire and engage young minds through hands-on science -based programs and exhibits to create a meaningful impact on our community. At our foundation lies our four core initiatives used to prepare the next generation of teachers, students and life-long learners. From early childhood education to STEM proficiency, healthy living to environmental stewardship, these initiatives go to the heart of our mission as an entity of inspiration, education, and transformation. The non-profit science center has a board of directors who guide the leadership team and work to raise over $3M from sources outside the city and bring them into Santa Ana directed towards science programming for our community's children. Visitors and Awareness of Santa Ana: The Discovery Cube's 106ft tall solar cube sits along the 5 Freeway as an important awareness icon for the city. Prior to COVID the Cube has been a beacon bringing 600,000 annual visitors to our city making it one of the top 15 largest science centers in the nation. Annually 75,000 school children visit the Cube on field trips thousands of which come from Santa Ana schools. Additionally the Cube partners with SAUSD by providing on- line science education every week to students in all the elementary schools across the district. Furthermore Santa Ana families make up the largest percentage of annual members reflecting the Cube as an important resource to families of our city. Recognition and prestige for Santa Ana: Over the years the Cube has brought community goodwill and national recognition for the City of Santa Ana. Recognitions include the Best Environmental Exhibit in the Nation, the Best Marketing Program in OC, the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands, Superintendent of California's Best Educational Program, and the prestigious US Medal of Service from the White House. Programming Partnership with the City: The Cube partners with the City in many different ways to educate the community on important civic awareness issues like West Nile Virus Protection, Recycling, Water Conservation and Emergency Preparedness. Economic Impact: A national economic impact study in 2008 indicated that museums on average bring an additional $5 per visitor to the museum's home city as they spend money on items in local shops for food, gas, merchandise, and more. This would reflect that the Cube has an economic impact in Santa Ana of over $4,200,000 annually in todays dollars. As the Cube has grown it has been an important pillar of Santa Ana bringing education services, prestige, and economic revenues. But ................. now due to the impact of Covid-19 the Cube is in need of help.