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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 STEM education. 80% of all jobs by 2030 will require STEM skills, 79% of the fastest-growing, highest-paying jobs are in STEM, and yet only 29% of the students graduating from college are majoring in STEM-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, minority students have fallen far behind white students in science and math, what educators call the “opportunity gap.” AMOS is trying to address all of these concerns with STEM education, programs that fight racial inequality in education, and encouragement for students to pursue STEM education and STEM careers.

What can we do together to make this happen? Is the missing element you?

During the challenging year we have all had, AMOS has actually exploded with service to the community. This year AMOS has served more than 255,000 science explorers with in-person and virtual learning. At the same time, this year has been the most challenging financially. AMOS was closed for six months and lost income from museum attendance, school field trips, the museum store, and more. We are doing more with less but can continue to do more with your support!

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. In these unprecedented times, science literacy is more than preparing 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:

2020 has been our most explosive year and most challenging year. Since the start of the pandemic, our virtual STEM education programs have served more than 220,000 online visitors, including virtual classrooms, homeschool students, high school students, and more. At the same time, the effects of fighting COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on our finances. But through it all, AMOS has supported tens of thousands of students from across Western North Carolina, and we know we can continue this support with your help.

Racial Equality:

Improving STEM education for the entire community, especially for low-income families who would otherwise not have access to quality STEM education, helps close the opportunity gap for minority children, who have historically not had the same educational opportunities nor achievement scores 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 minority communities through our community partners, like Avery Learning Center, YMCAs, county libraries, and school districts across WNC.

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

Explorers – $250

Rovers Club – $500

Adventurers Society – $1,000

Discovery Circle – $2,500

Pioneer Partners – $5,000

Patrons of the Sciences – $10,000

Colburn Benefactors – $20,000

* Museum Member Benefits

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.