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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Stouts fire still growing, but in a good way ... Man suspected of sexually abusing child ... Our View: Cheers and Jeers ... Stouts fire still growing, but in a good way ... Man suspected of sexually abusing child ... ASHLAND ScienceWorks to double classroom space Collins Foundation awards $75,000 for interactive labs, exhibits Comment By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News With a $75,000 grant from the Collins Foundation, ScienceWorks Hands-on Museum in Ashland will double its classroom space, allowing an increase in field trips from 60 to up to 120 students. Construction will take place this fall. “The classroom we have now is well-used for deeper learning, especially at summer camps,” said ScienceWorks Executive Director Chip Lindsey. “The two classrooms will be used for diving deep into inquiry science learning, which means first-person understanding of science, where you actually do science instead of hearing about it or looking at it.” The new room, to be located near where the recent dinosaur exhibit was, will be used for both classes and exhibits and even a birthday party, but it will never be dark and empty, Lindsey said. It will be a flexible learning space for interactive labs, extended exhibits and camps during spring and summer vacations. More than 200 schools and 8,000 students came to ScienceWorks in 2014, along with 73,000 other visitors. “From an educator’s perspective, this has access to all the exhibits right around it and makes us smile,” he said. “It’s not tucked away in some corner or basement. It’s part of everything that makes this place great.” The new room is directly off the main exhibit gallery and will not expand the footprint of the building. The museum is inviting bids for work that will start in September once the tourist season slows, he said. The grant spurs education on a broad scale, Lindsey said. "Science and technology-related careers are driving the nation’s economy. We are glad to be able to increase our capacity to support teachers bringing those subjects into their students' lives," he said. Twenty percent of all jobs require a high level of science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) knowledge — and that number is going up, he said, citing a Brookings Institute study. As the regional science museum for Southern Oregon, ScienceWorks supports STEM education for schools and families both in school and outside of school, he said. The Collins Foundation is a leading supporter of excellence in education. “Studies show that people excel at what they love,” Lindsey said in a statement. “Fostering a love of science, and fascination with how things are made, encouraging young and old to explore, be curious, take things apart, try new solutions, and that’s what we do here at ScienceWorks.” Reach Ashland freelance writer John Darling at [email protected]. By John Darling for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By John Darling for the Mail Tribune Posted Mar. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501