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Center Of Attention
Science facility for kids generates excitement
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Orenda Johnson of the Hine Foundation leaves her mark (and idea) on the drywall at the new OH WOW.
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NEW LOGO: Suzanne Barbati, executive director of “OH WOW!” The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology, unveils the new logo for the former Children’s Museum of the Valley. The center has launched a $1.5 million campaign to remodel and furbish its new home, the former McCrory Building in downtown Youngstown.
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT: More than 150 people turned out Monday to help launch the “Science Makes Cents” capital campaign of the “OH WOW!” center at the McCrory Building.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN — The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology isn’t looking for donations or contributions to help finance its new facility on Central Square downtown.
It’s looking for “investments” — investments in the future of children and the community, said Bruce Sherman, vice president of the center’s board of trustees and leader of the campaign to raise $1.5 million to convert two floors of the McCrory Building into a state-of-the-art facility focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The center, formerly the Children’s Museum of the Valley and located on East Boardman Street, invited local, state and federal officials and others to view the 16,000 square feet it will call home beginning Sept. 10.
The new logo was unveiled, and the “Science Makes Cents” capital campaign was announced before a crowd of more than 150 people gathered at the new location.
It will cost $1.5 million to renovate the space and have exhibits built and installed, said Ronald Cornell Faniro, board president.
“We’re well on our way to achieving our goal,” Sherman said, noting that $600,000 already has been raised through foundations, businesses and individual gifts.
Roger and Gloria Jones, owners of Fireline Inc., longtime supporters of the center, gave $250,000 to the campaign, and the center now bears their name. It is officially known as “OH WOW!” The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology.
The new branding image captures the excitement that children and families will experience when they visit, said Suzanne Barbati, executive director.
The facility will be a “hands-on, integrative center for learning,” said Faniro, noting there will be a heavy emphasis on science and technology, combining education and entertainment. The goal is to make it a regional destination for children and their families.
The board is looking at this as a contribution to downtown revitalization, he said, adding that there are many “partners” involved in the project.
One of those partners is Youngstown State University’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
Martin Abraham, the dean of that college, said this represents an opportunity to get kids engaged and excited about science and engineering. “It’s an opportunity to take what we do at YSU and make it fun for the kids,” he said.
The space is being leased from another partner, First National Bank of Pennsylvania, and the bank has offered to be a sponsor for one of the exhibits, Faniro said.
The Youngstown Foundation has been another significant contributor to the cause.
“I feel like jumping,” said Madonna Chism Pinkard, a member of the board, who could barely contain her excitement about the project. “This will be a destination point for families.”
Members of one family from Hermitage, Pa., showed up to learn about the center.
Jamie Wilson said she and her husband, Steve, moved to the area from Washington, Pa., in September. Their family was a member of the Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, and she called Youngstown to inquire about the museum here. She arrived at the end of Monday’s ceremony with her daughter, Logan, 3, in tow and said she was excited about what she learned about the project.
Orenda Johnson, a member of the Hine Fund board of directors, was writing a suggestion on the “Tell us your idea!” wall prepared specifically for people to write their suggestions.
The Hine Fund of the Youngs-town Foundation provides money for programs for children with disabilities and is assisting this project, which will feature a “universal design” that will make its exhibits accessible to children with disabilities, Johnson said.
It will be wonderful to have this facility downtown, she added.
gwin@vindy.com