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Is the Missing Element You?
Generate the Power of Science to Inspire the Next Generation!
Our nation and our region are facing quite the challenge when it comes to meeting the needs of our communities’ students with STEAM education. 80% of all jobs by 2030 will require STEAM skills, 79% of the fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs are in STEAM, and yet only 29% of the students graduating from college are majoring in STEAM-related degrees. The U.S. ranks 34th out of 71 developed nations in science and math proficiency, and North Carolina ranks 36th out of 50 states in science and math proficiency.
On top of that, students of color consistently perform at a lower level than white students in science and math, due to what educators call the “opportunity gap.” AMOS is trying to address all of these concerns with STEAM education, programs that fight racial inequality in education, and encouragement for students to pursue STEAM education and STEAM careers.
What can we do together to make this happen? Are you the missing element?
AMOS provides many services in the community with the museum and also through educational outreach opportunities where AMOS Staff bring STEAM education to students in their own classrooms. AMOS needs your support to bring this mission to the WNC community. 42% of AMOS’s budget comes from private donations, including grants, corporate sponsorships, and individual donors.
We couldn’t do this without you; we wouldn’t even try.
40% of our expense budget goes to educational programs, and 42% of our income budget is from private donations. It’s not an exact match, but your financial gifts go to support educational programs that are made available to students, schools, educators, community groups, and more, at no cost to them and are used to offset the costs of educational programs that also are supported with programs dollars. For example, AMOS works directly with organizations like Avery Learning Center to provide an after-school program, and we are able to discount the cost of this program to Avery Learning Center through private funds.
There are three main areas where your support of AMOS is a great investment in our community: Science Literacy, Educational Support, and Racial Equality.
Science Literacy:
Many do not see science education as an acute need, but it is. Studies demonstrate that it is easier and more cost effective to improve the education of children now than to fix the problems of poor education later. Science literacy prepares young people for good careers; science and technology are essential to cultivating young people’s curiosity and helping adults understand critical issues so they can make informed decisions. Your generous support makes all of this possible.
Educational Support:
AMOS provided top-notch STEAM education even throughout the COVID pandemic. AMOS served more than 220,000 online visitors, including virtual classrooms, homeschool students, high school students, and more through multiple virtual programs. Now that students are back in classrooms, AMOS will continue this support with your help.
Racial Equality:
Improving STEAM education for the entire community, especially for low-income families who would otherwise not have access to quality STEAM education, helps close the opportunity gap for children of color, who have historically not had the same educational opportunities as white children. Reducing racial inequality and systemic racism begins with providing equal opportunity for quality education, which AMOS strives to do by bringing educational programs to low-income and communities of color through our community partners, like Avery Learning Center, YMCAs, county libraries, and school districts across WNC.
- Zoom Classes – Virtual field trips for schools, libraries, and community groups
- Ask the Scientist – weekly Facebook Live talks, giving our audience the opportunity to ask experts their questions
- Field Trips – Schools bring classes to AMOS for hands-on exploration
- Summer Camp – day camps with YMCA provide fun STEAM activities to prevent summer setback
- School Support – AMOS hosts virtual learners with STEAM learning and a place to go to school with other kids
- Little Explorer’s Club – STEAM club for toddlers
- Library Web Videos – 45 minute STEAM lessons & activities for grade-schoolers
- Daily Doses of Science – 3-5 minute summer lessons & activities
- Science Activity Kits – hands-on science activities anyone can do from home
- Summer of Science/Fall Into Science – weekly videos with science experts
- Volunteer Intern Program – opportunities for student internships
- Saturday STEAM – weekend programs open to the public
Ways to Support
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, AMOS relies on community support. Our donors, corporate sponsors, volunteers, and members enable us to be Western North Carolina’s home for experiential science learning, discovery, and exploration.
Choose a Donor Level:
Donor – Any Amount
Friends – $100
- Inclusion in our annual report
- 100% of your donation is tax-deductible
Explorers – $250
- Inclusion in our annual report
- 1 Free Membership*
- $225 of the $250 donation is tax-deductible
- You may ask that 100% of your donation be accepted by opting out of the free membership benefits
Rovers Club – $500
- Inclusion in our annual report
- Free Family Membership (all members in your household)*
- $400 of the $500 donation is tax-deductible OR
- You may ask that 100% of your donation be accepted by opting out of the free membership benefits
Adventurers Society – $1,000
- Inclusion in our annual report
- Free Family Membership (all members in your household)*
- Receive an additional 8 free passes to the museum to share however you wish with friends and family
- $844 of the $1000 donation is tax deductible
- You may ask that 100% of your donation be accepted by opting out of the free membership benefits
Discovery Circle – $2,500
- Inclusion in our annual report
- Free Family Membership (all members in your household)*
- Receive an additional 12 free passes to the museum to share however you wish with friends and family
- Receive a $50 gift voucher for use in our Museum Store (cannot be combined w/additional discounts)
- $2254 of the $2500 donation is tax-deductible
- You may ask that 100% of your donation be accepted by opting out of the free membership benefits
Pioneer Partners – $5,000
- Inclusion in our annual report
- Free Family Membership (all members in your household)*
- One additional Family Membership to share as a gift
- Receive 20 free passes to the museum to share however you wish with friends and family
- Host one birthday or private party event at the museum
- Receive a $100 gift voucher for use in our Museum Store (cannot be combined w/additional discounts)
- $4290 of the $5000 donation is tax-deductible
- You may ask that 100% of your donation be accepted by opting out of the free membership benefits
Patrons of the Sciences – $10,000
- Inclusion in our annual report
- Free Family Membership (all members in your household)*
- Two additional Family Memberships to share as gifts
- Receive 30 free passes to the museum to share however you wish with friends and family
- Host one birthday or private party event at the museum
- Receive a $200 gift voucher for use in our Museum Store (cannot be combined w/additional discounts)
- $9010 of the $10000 donation is tax-deductible
- You may ask that 100% of your donation be accepted by opting out of the free membership benefits
Colburn Benefactors – $20,000
- Inclusion in our annual report
- Free Family Membership (all members in your household)*
- Four additional Family Memberships to share as gifts
- Receive 40 free passes to the museum to share however you wish with friends and family
- Host one birthday or private party event at the museum
- Receive a $300 gift voucher for use in our Museum Store (cannot be combined w/additional discounts)
- $18630 of the $20000 is tax-deductible
- You may ask that 100% of your donation be accepted by opting out of the free membership benefits
* Museum Member Benefits
- Free admission to AMOS for 1 full year (valid from date of purchase)
- Receive a 10% discount in the Museum Store on all purchases as well as discounts on select programming, events, and exhibits
- Early registration and/or discounts available for special programs and camps
- Free or discounted admission to Science and Technology Centers that participate in the ASTC Passport Program. Please visit www.astc.org for program rules and a list of participating centers.
- Receive a 50% off discount admission rate at the WNC Nature Center & and at the Hands-On Museum in Johnson City, TN
- Discounts available at Chimney Rock State Park
- Receive updates through our E-Newsletter
Each sponsorship level is for the support of our education programs. Click here to go to our donation page and choose your level!
How does an investment in AMOS provide an investment for our present and our future?
One child’s visit
Our cost for one child’s admission to the museum comes to $20; however, we only charge $7 per child, per visit. A 65% value of every child’s visit is subsidized and/or supported by donor revenue. And most of that donor revenue comes from individual contributions.
Summer or Winter Camp Series
A $60 donation can pay for a scholarship to our STEM Camp. Help a family in need send their child to our educational camp program!
After-School Programming
A $100 donation pays for one session of After School programming, including supplies and educator time.
Educational Supplies
A donation of $250 helps pay for supplies for our innovative science classes (for preschool through 8th-grade level students).
Class Field Trip
A $500 sponsorship provides the cost for one classroom for a field trip to the museum!
In School Science Learning
A $2,000 sponsorship provides our cost to send educators to visit schools for a week of in-school, hands-on science learning.
New Exhibits
A donation of $10,000 or more would help develop new programs and new, up-to-date exhibits. We are working to raise money now for new weather and climate exhibit.
Expanding In School Education
Our goal of $100,000 is to expand our in-school education program to the entire WNC region. This will cover the cost of two educators, supplies, and also give AMOS the ability to expand its footprint beyond Buncombe County; being more visibly seen as Western North Carolina’s premier destination for experiential science learning, discovery, and exploration!
DID YOU KNOW that you can also support us by choosing to donate a portion of your Amazon purchases when you shop through AmazonSmile?! Its easy to choose us as your organization for Amazon’s charity program.
Corporate Sponsor
Interested in a corporate sponsorship? Join our SCIENCE CIRCLE!
Make your mark on one of our exhibits, events, or programs through a corporate sponsorship. All sponsors receive a name and logo recognition in print as well as digital promotions reaching 100,000+ active audience members!
Volunteer
Do you enjoy interacting with museum guests, assisting in retail, helping with special events or simply sharing your skills and knowledge with others? We have volunteer opportunities for a wide range of skill sets! Click here to learn more.
Become a member
Whether you purchase a membership for your own family or as a gift for someone else, your membership is what sustains us as a museum. Click here to become a part of the AMOS family.
