Long Island Explorium

Recent announcements include the Long Island Explorium being chosen as one of 27 museums throughout the country to participate in IF/THEN Gender Equity Grants, an initiative created by Lyda Hill Philanthropies.

Science and technology centers and museums affiliated with ASTC are being awarded more than $300,000. As part of their efforts to advance diversity, accessibility and inclusion, museums are seeking to increase the number of women and gender minorities in STEM, as well as the equitable representation of women.

According to Long Island Explorium Executive Director Angeline Judex, the grant would benefit many of their projects, including gender representation in STEM and enhancing their workshops in schools and the community. 

A 501c3 nonprofit with legal status, and chartered by the NYS Department of Education, The Long Island Explorium is located at 101 E Main Street, Port Jefferson, New York. This program offers kindergarten through sixth graders an opportunity to express themselves as future leaders and innovators by engaging students in STEM discovery, learning, and innovation. 

“Our museum is small in footprint, but our impact is huge,” Judex said. “I’m excited because the grant validates all the impactful work we have done in the past to support young girls in science forward. We’re extremely honored.” For years, companies in the STEM field have been perceived as a male-only career. The IF/THEN organization aims to encourage girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering.

It takes getting your head around the idea that “if you can see it, you can be it,” Judex said, adding that adjusting to new circumstances won’t be easy. “There’s no a magic button that resets to this new normal,” she said. “But it’s a journey we want to be on.” Museums will also receive $5K in in-kind matching funding for hardware and software needed to enhance their virtual programs. The grant is a two-year, in-depth partnership designed to strengthen virtual programs in museums.

As part of this two-year program, museums will design the program to deliver to their audiences virtually, with a focus on revealing cultural and racial diversity in their communities from stories found in their collections. “Words cannot express our gratitude for the award we received, which continues to reaffirm our dedication to staying relevant and reflecting the diverse communities we aim to serve. The long-term goal is to build on an ongoing exhibit, “ Rain Gardens: Linking Water, Wildlife, and Wisdom,” and develop a comprehensive video and audio series that focuses on the heritage and contributions of indigenous people on Long Island.

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