For the past 15 years, EUREKA! has engaged students, teachers and the general public in enhanced and meaningful learning through hands-on math and science experiences. Our goal is to create and sustain enthusiasm for STEM fields and to encourage students to pursue STEM careers.
"Dear EUREKA!, I want to thank you for a wonderful time when you came to our school. I especially liked it when you taught us how to make a fossil! If you want to, I would love it if you came back and taught us about potions and how to make them. If there were a million Math and Science Centers, you would be my favorite one of all because you actually came to our school! I really liked you coming to our school. I had a lot of fun." Sincerely, a fourth grader
" Thank you for the rocks and the shark tooth! I learned so much about rocks and minerals. I learned about the salt rock. I like that rock! I learned that the salt rock tastes like salt if you lick it. Also, it can make you sick. I told my parents about that rock and they were surprised! Thank you very much for coming to our school." Sincerely, a fourth grader
"I can't even begin to thank you enough for coming to our school and reaching out to our kids. Dianna, Alice (the school secretary) and I were talking on Friday about the gobs of children we heard talking incessantly about you and your science experiments! I had this one little boy talk to me for about 5 minutes about why hot water sits on top of cold water and heat rises....and another little boy stopped me in the parking lot to say he wants to be a scientist now when he grows up. Alice said there was a group of 5th grade girls in the office sitting around talking about all the great things you did in the classroom. Well, I could go on and on but the bottom line is this: what you do is invaluable and so appreciated and we can't thank you enough. You made an enormous impression on these kids; one they won't soon forget!" Head of the Silverthorne PTA
"What a gift you are to the children (and adults) of Grand Valley. Your presentation was sensational. The students were so excited that they got to take home their vials. They just loved putting them together, and learning about the monument. You presented right to their level. What a treat for us all. Thank you again for your time, talent and patience. We really appreciated you and your presentation." Sincerely, a Caprock Elementary School fourth grade teacher
"Tons of science & mathematical experiments to do; always challenges your mind to think a little differently as you try to understand why things work the way they do! Great exhibits; awesome place for kids, young and old!" TripAdvisor comment
Mission: Inspiring a passion and respect for math and science in our communities.
Our vision: is a science and technology literate society.
EUREKA! was founded by retired physicist, John McConnell, to address deficiencies in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through inquiry-based, hands-on activities for students and resources and training for teachers. EUREKA! has evolved from its earliest beginnings as a volunteer effort by John McConnell with one class at Wingate Elementary School. Over a period of nine years, John volunteered his time to teach scientific principles to kids through hands-on demonstrations that he created. The effort quickly became a traveling road show, with John carrying the demonstrations from school to school in the trunk of his car and going out over 100 miles from Grand Junction to reach an ever increasing audience. After reaching about 5,000 students a year from his car, John asked Mesa Valley School District 51 administration for space for a math and science center, which they granted.
For the past 15 years, EUREKA! has engaged students, teachers and the general public in enhanced and meaningful learning. We know from experience that students develop enthusiasm and learning is enhanced for math and science when they participate in hands-on activities. If this enthusiasm is sustained throughout pre-college education, students will have greater opportunities to select college and professional careers in science, technology, engineering and math. We also know that when teachers learn to teach hands-on math and science and have the resources to bring those experiences into the classroom, they are far more likely to inspire an ongoing interest in these subjects for their students.
Through hands-on exhibits, demonstrations, and teacher resources, EUREKA! strives to instill wonder in each student by defining the world we live in through math and science that is meaningful. Whether the student is making geometric bubbles, working gears, or playing with electromagnets, they are always moved to ask "why?" and "how?". These questions initiate the process of critical thinking that leads the student to develop a hypothesis, test that idea, and draw conclusions based on observation.
According to Allen Leshner, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, it is during this process of critical thinking that students realize science is FUN. He also states that you cannot just assert that science is fun; you have to allow the student to discover the excitement for themselves.
Organization name
Eureka! McConnell Science Museum
other names
none, Western Colorado Math & Science Center, John McConnell Math and Science Center, EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum
2004
Tax id (EIN)
20-1641549
Category
Science & Technology
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
1400 N 7th StreetMesa County, CO, US