CORPORATE, FOUNDATION AND GOVERNMENT GIVING NEWS

Keeping Up With Space and Beyond

Griffin MSI was pleased to partner once again with the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program to present the 10th annual Inventive Genius Lecture, From Science Fiction to Science Fact.

Guests in our Giant Dome Theater and curious viewers from around the world heard from Amelia Greig of the Aerospace Center at the University of Texas at El Paso and Ethan Schaler of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory as they discussed concepts that could help scientists mine resources from the moon or discover life in distant ocean worlds. 

We invite you to revisit this exciting program and look forward to more fascinating projects from NASA researchers at next year’s event.

You Make Science Really Travel

Owing to the importance of out-of-school-time opportunities for young people to pursue their interest in science, technology, engineering, art and medicine, we have developed Curiosity Kits, curated sets of hands-on activities for children ages 8 to 13, with instructions in English and Spanish, that will allow them to engage with STEAM content.

Our first release, Griffin MSI Curiosity Kits: Observation Edition, is scheduled to begin on May 23, 2022. We will distribute sets of Curiosity Kits to community-based organizations to use in their own summer programming or for children to pick up in a convenient neighborhood location, including all 81 branches of the Chicago Public Library. Each kit will include at least four hands-on activities that will encourage children to practice making observations of phenomena. We’ll also include observation journals and mindfulness activities. We expect to distribute 5,000 kits to 150 or more sites, primarily in the city of Chicago, targeting geographic areas that have been underserved.

The new Griffin MSI Curiosity Kits build upon our work during last year’s Summer Brain Games, during which we distributed 3,400 kits at 102 locations throughout the city.

Spend the Summer With Science

Young tinkerers and innovators are invited to join our Wanger Family Fab Lab’s week-long Summer Camp experiences, where science, art and creativity combine with technology, innovation and fun! Budding scientists can also sign up for the week-long Summer Explorers Camps, where participants will get familiar with exhibits and experiences inside the building and then head outside to hike through the nature in our backyard and even head over to test the waters of Lake Michigan. 

We are also offering two Girls Club camper weeks, exclusively for female-identifying and non-binary youth who want to collaborate in a different environment. The programming is the same, but these exclusive camps include additional experiences, such as conversations with female and non-binary leaders here at Griffin MSI!

Don't miss out on a range of fun science experiences—this summer is going to be a blast!

Step Right Up and Volunteer

There are always great opportunities for science and industry professionals to share their expertise and personal stories with students and guests. The recent Black Creativity Career Showcase welcomed professionals from various STEAM companies and organizations throughout the city to connect with young people and talk about their potential interest in their fields. During Black Creativity Family Day, guests created a boutonniere holder using parts designed and provided by the Griffin MSI Wanger Family Fab Lab and flowers provided by Southside Blooms. 2022 Black Creativity Innovator Quilen Blackwell was highlighted during the event as he engaged and discussed Southside Blooms’ fantastic work in the community.

The next chance for you to share your knowledge with a new generation arrives in June with Engineer Your Future. This event allows youth and families to tackle real-world challenges and devise creative solutions through hands-on activities at each career station. Professionals will describe interesting jobs and offer advice on pursuing exciting and enriching careers in engineering.

Engineer Your Future takes place on Saturday, June 25 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To get involved, contact Dulce Enriquez.

Griffin MSI Impact – Youth Artist Goes Professional

The Black Creativity Juried Art Exhibition has become the longest running show of African American art in the country, and ten years ago, it got even bigger with the addition of a new category to feature the works of artists aged 14 to 17. Welcoming teen artists brings us closer to our vision to motivate young people to achieve their full potential in STEAM fields, no matter where they are.

We’ve seen that with one of our teen artists’ move to the professional ranks. This year, Griffin MSI participated in EXPO Chicago, an annual exposition of contemporary and modern art that brings together artists and dealers from around the world. Joining us was Raven Smith, who was a Juried Art winner as a teen artist and has since returned to display her works in the general category.

This year’s EXPO Chicago was held at Navy Pier, where Smith’s father is a long-time employee. Seeing the excitement of both Smith and her father to have her artwork on display in this terrific space was exciting for all of us. We look forward to more stories of artistic and personal success in years to come.

Road Closures

When driving to the Museum on DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Hayes Drive or Stony Island Avenue, allow a little extra time for potential traffic as work begins on roadway improvements tied to the Obama Presidential Center. Currently, one southbound lane of DuSable Lake Shore Drive between 57th Street and Hayes Drive is closing daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.