MOSI, Tampa Boys & Girls Clubs Team Up to Offer Summer STEAM Fun
TAMPA, Fla. — August 15, 2023 — Through a unique partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, the Museum of Science & Industry brought new learning opportunities to children from disadvantaged areas. With Phelps’ help, the museum provided a full day of STEAM programming every Friday to complement the Boys & Girls Clubs’ summer schedule.
With 26 clubs in Hillsborough and Pasco counties, The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay gives kids the chance to build positive peer and mentor relationships and learn skills to handle the challenges that young adults often face. The clubs provide a safe learning environment for children to spend their time after school. During the summer, they offer all-day programming from Monday through Friday that focuses on academic success, health and wellness, and character development. These programs enable clubs to help members break generations of poverty and create economic mobility. Last year, they served more than 12,500 children, with 100% of graduating students finishing on time.
After realizing how many children attended school near the museum but had never been inside, MOSI wanted to find a way to widen access to their hands-on learning experiences. Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay were already having far-reaching impacts on the area’s children, and they had a gap in their summer program on Fridays at one of their school sites. MOSI and the clubs worked together to fill this opening with a new STEAM-focused program.
To secure funding for this one-of-a-kind partnership, the organizations looked to their supporter, local law firm Phelps, to find a creative solution. Partner Bret Feldman serves as the chair of MOSI’s board of directors and partner Karl Brandes is a longtime member of the Boys & Girls Clubs’ executive board, so Phelps jumped at the chance to collaborate more closely with two groups whose missions make such a difference in the Tampa community.
During these summer sessions, MOSI instructors visited clubs to provide engaging workshops. Then they invited children to visit the museum for the full MOSI experience—touring the planetarium, attending lessons with educators, and browsing state-of-the-art exhibits. And Phelps’ full support of the program guaranteed that MOSI could host as many kids on as many visits as possible, including offering free passes to encourage children to bring their families to the museum to keep exploring. MOSI currently works with Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay to connect more kids with unforgettable educational opportunities.
“We are very grateful to Phelps for their ongoing support of our clubs, both nationally and right here in Tampa Bay,” said Larry Bevis, Interim CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay. “We are thankful for the enriching experience MOSI provides our kids as our partner and how extra special it becomes with Phelps volunteers!”
“This new support from Phelps has allowed MOSI to expand its level of service to the Boys and Girls Clubs, furthering the important missions of both organizations,” said John Smith, MOSI’s President and CEO. “Without this type of philanthropic funding, these kids wouldn’t have the same learning opportunities as others in our region, and the more we can grow support from the community, the better we can serve those who might benefit the most from these experiences.”
Through program support, in-person volunteering and networking connections, Phelps is honored to be a community partner in MOSI’s mission to inspire curiosity and foster a lifetime love of learning.
