Eureka! McConnell Science Museum

Background Statement

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. In 2018, the center moved to Colorado Mesa University and is currently housed in the Confluence Hall Engineering Building, rebranding as EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum.

For the past 20 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.

Today EUREKA!, provides STEAM After School programming for six elementary schools in the Grand Valley, provide Math Tutoring in seven schools for students 1st-9th grade, operates a mobile bilingual preschool, a STEM preschool known as Nest, and soon to open a third STEM preschool, STREAM at the upcoming Confluence Center of Colorado. EUREKA! offers science programming to all ages, including a 55+ group who travel and explore scientific content all over the globe! EUREKA! still follows John McConnell's original model of field trips and STEAM Camps for students who aren't in school, including 12 week of summer STEAM Camps.