Assignment #1: Mayor’s Office Project

Enter your name, the date, and for each question or statement, enter your response in the space provided below
each one.
Your name: Amy Lydan Date: 9-6-17
1. Name and location of institution – Answer below
Great Lakes Science Center
Cleveland Ohio

2. What is the purpose and role of the institution in its environment? – Answer below

The Great Lakes Science Center is an institution which focuses on STEM sciences. They educate the public through
exhibits and programming.
“The Great Lakes Science Center strives to serve the community by providing science education, resources and
programming for all ages” (http://greatscience.com).

This institution provides resources for science education. Their vision statement says that they want to create
“A community where all people value science, technology, engineering and math to inform decision-making and
enrich lives” (http://greatscience.com).

The science center provides hands on, interactive programming and exhibits. Their mission is “to make science,
technology, engineering and math come alive” (http://greatscience.com).

They provide quality, low cost access to science education and resources for a large and diverse demographic
population.

3. What are some principles or values the institution upholds? – Answer below

The Guiding principles listed on the website are well thought out, laudable, and geared toward enriching the
community they serve.

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

 We help people learn STEM by doing STEM and believe that it is best learned through real scientific
challenges.

 We cultivate creative, innovative, critical thinkers for the 21st century.

 We support a learning culture that encourages curiosity and experimentation.

 We bring people together by creating welcoming, fun and high-quality guest experiences.

 We strengthen our community impact by collaborating with other organizations and connecting to STEM
resources in our region.

 We ensure our future by maintaining our long-term fiscal and staff sustainability.

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http://greatscience.com

4. Describe the user base (number of annual users, demographic description, types of affiliation (members, card
holders, etc.). – Answer below

The Great Lakes Science center serves approximately 300,000 visitors a year (www.cityvisitor.com)

Most of the programming at the science center is geared to children and families. They also have an ongoing
collaboration with local school systems for youth education opportunities.

There are seven types of membership packages available ranging from $90 to $1,500 a year. There are both
individual and family packages.

The demographics of the Cleveland area as of 2010 are:

2010 census
 396,815 people
 167,490 households
 89,821 families
 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them
 22.4% were married couples living together
 25.3% had a female householder with no husband present
 6.0% had a male householder with no wife present
 46.4% were non-families
 39.5% of all households were made up of individuals
 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older
 average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 3.11.
 gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
https://en.wikipedia.org

5. Describe the sources of funding for the institution. – Answer below

The Great Lakes Science Center receives funding from a variety of sources. The website acknowledges over 60
corporate, foundation and government partners. They also receive funding from memberships and individual
donations.
 Corporate
 Foundation
 Government
 Individual donations
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  Memberships
 Grants

“Great Lakes Science Center is funded by the citizens of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture,
grants, funds, and corporate and individual gifts”
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes_Science_Center)

6. Describe or draw the organization structure of the institution. – Answer below

Great Lakes Science Center has 5 upper level managers and 34 Board members

Kirsten M.
Ellenbogen,
Ph.D.
President &
CEO

Susan Allen Kenneth J.

Patrick J. Ertle, Valence E.
Vice President Sinchak, CPA,
Esq. Davillier III
of Marketing, CGMA
Vice President Vice President
Communication Chief Financial
of Development of Exhibits
and Sales Officer

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 Chairman of the Board

David Peace
Swagelok Company

Board of directors

Mark Thomas Patricia Britt James Young Paul Dolan Katinka Robert Graf
Barker Brick Cleveland City Council Cleveland Cleveland Domotorffy The
Interlake Former Clinic Indians Lubrizol
Steamship Mayor of Foundation Corporation
Co. Chagrin
Falls

Randy Peter Burke Dennis Cocco Dan DiMarco Kirsten Susan Eric Gordon
Bennett STERIS Ingenewity Solutions, Grant Ellenboge Flaherty Cleveland
Automatio Corporatio LLC Thornton n Ernst & Metropolita
n Tool & n Great Young n School
Die, Inc. Lakes District
Science
Center

Greg Harris Martin Tom Matthews Aram Terrell Brad David

Rock and Keane The Lincoln Electric Nerpouni Pruitt Richardson Reynolds
Roll Hall Cleveland Company BioEnterprise Cleveland PolyOne Key Private
of Fame & City City Corporation Bank
Museum Council – Council –
Ward 17 Ward 1

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 Janet Janet Craig Maxwell Ken Morgan Richard Dave Mustin Skoda
Kavandi Watkins Parker Hannifin PNC Wealth Morrison Minotti
NASA NASA Corporation Management Molded
Glenn Glenn Fiber
Research Research Glass
Center Center Companies

Doug Diana Marvin Thomas, Jr. Scot Rourke James Mary Beth Linda Rae
Smith Strongosky PricewaterhouseCoope Cuyahoga Rollinson Holdford Qualitrol
The Sherwin- rs County Baker & ArcelorMitta
Timken Williams Hostetler l
Company Company LLP

7. Identify 3 issues or trends affecting your institution’s operations. – Answer below

Issue 1 A new gender gap

Issue 2 the threat of recession

Issue 3 shifting conceptions of narrative

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 MUSEUMS & SOCIETY 2034: Trends and potential futures. (2008). Retrieved September 25, 2017,
from www.aam-us.org center-for-the-future-of-museums. museumssociety2034.pdf

8. What will the institution need to consider in order to address these trends and issues? – Answer below

The new gender gap means that institutions need to consider evolving family structures which include changing
gender roles and increased academic expectations for children’s programming.

Financial concerns and the value to expense perception that people have is a vital factor in the success of any
institution. The threat of recession forces institutions to consider peoples financial situations and to make services
affordable. They must also ensure that they are budgeting for the future and being fiscally responsible.

In modern society, shifting conceptions of narrative have resulted in people wanting greater control over their
lives and choices. Keeping up with modern technological advances and developing interactive programming can
help information institutions to meet the needs of their communities.

9. What will happen if they are not addressed? – Answer below

Institutions which fail to address prevailing trends will not thrive in a changing environment. They will fail to meet
the needs and expectations of the community and will become obsolete.

10. Are those trends likely to affect other information institutions that are geographically located nearby? (Note
similarities and differences, potential competition/collaboration between your institution and other information
institutions in the community.) – Answer below

These trends will affect all of the nearby information institutions. Cleveland has several museums, a zoo, the
metropark system, libraries, and cultural centers.
All of these institutions provide educational programing, target similar demographics and rely heavily on external
sources of funding such as donations, grants, and government funding.

They could end up in competition for the same sources of funding and in trying to appeal to the same audience.
Collaboration with partner institutions can alleviate some of this competition and better serve the target audience.

The Great Lakes Science Center has collaborative partnerships with Cleveland Metropolitan School District (MC2
STEM High School), the ArcelorMittal corporation (lego building project), and several other institutions.
By partnering with other local institutions, both institutions benefit and are better able to meet the needs of the
community and address prevailing trends.

11. How are these 3 issues or trends affected by the values and ethics of this institution? – Answer below

Listed below are the identified trends and the corresponding values listed in the science center’s mission and
vision statements.

 A new gender gap

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 A community where all people value science, technology, engineering and math to inform decision-making and
enrich lives

 Threat of recession
We ensure our future by maintaining our long-term fiscal and staff sustainability.

 shifting conceptions of narrative

We help people learn STEM by doing STEM and believe that it is best learned through real scientific
challenges.

 We cultivate creative, innovative, critical thinkers for the 21st century.

 We support a learning culture that encourages curiosity and experimentation.

http://greatscience.com

13. Recommendation? Yes or No – Answer below

I highly recommend the Great Lakes Science Center for the mayors office list of outstanding institutions.

14. Resources consulted –Answer below

City Visitor: Cleveland, Akron and Canton. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2017, from http://www.cityvisitor.com/

Great Lakes Science Center. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2017, from http://greatscience.com/

Great Lakes Science Center. (2017, August 15). Retrieved September 28, 2017, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Lakes_Science_Center

Museums & Society 2034: Trends and potential futures. (2008). Retrieved September 25, 2017, from www.aam-
us.org center-for-the-future-of-museums. museumssociety2034.pdf

URL of the presentation –Paste the URL below

https://presenter.kent.edu/managepresentation.php?pid=z48s3j5l

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Space for script – Answer below

SLIDE 1
The great lakes science center is located in Cleveland ohio. It serves the entire greater Cleveland area and
hosts approximately 300, 000 visitors a year.

SLIDE 2

This institution develops educational programming in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

They “strive to serve the community by providing science education, resources and programming for all ages”
http://greatscience.com

The GLSC envisions “a community where all people value science, technology, engineering and math to inform
decision-making and enrich lives”

They provide interactive programming and exhibits which are geared to meet the needs and expectations of the
community and adheres to their mission is “to make science, technology, engineering and math come alive”.
http://greatscience.com

SLIDE 3

Education is a primary goal. Programs and exhibits are geared toward children of all ages. There are currently
over 20 programs and more than 25 exhibits.

SLIDE 4
The great lakes science center is “committed to developing the collaborations and community partnerships
needed to stimulate innovation, improve STEM education, and cultivate the creative, critical thinkers who will
shape the future of Northeast Ohio” (http://greatscience.com).

They are currently partnered with the Cleveland metropolitan school district to provide ongoing , science
education to high school students. In addition to the long term partnership with the school, there are currently 11
programs scheduled which are in collaboration with local partners. These collaborations include traveling
exhibits, local professionals, field trips to partner agencies and joint programming.

The our great lakes program includes field trips to the Watershed Stewardship Center, U.S. Coast Guard Station,
Old Woman Creek, and Edgewater Park

They have also partnered with “ArcelorMittal, to bring ” Build It! An engineering LEGO maker space exhibit.

SLIDE 5

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The Science Center is funded in part by the citizens of Cuyahoga County through Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.
They receive funding from a variety of sources. The website acknowledges over 60 corporate, foundation and
government partners. They also receive funding from memberships and individual donations.

The GLSC is committed to ensuring the future by maintaining long-term fiscal and staff sustainability

The GLSC has affordable admission at 15 for adults and 12 for children. FREE General Admission for Ohio
Teachers They also offer discounts for:

Senior citizens
Students
Military personnel and their families
NASA Employees
Group Sales

SLIDE 6

Membership packages save residents money and encourage multiple visits.

The programs and special exhibits change frequently, so visiting multiple times per year is beneficial. There are a
fair number of perks to the memberships. Free admission year round to most events and discounts on special
camps, classes and workshops.

SLIDE 7
The great lakes science center fosters learning by providing “real scientific challenges”.
They strive to “cultivate creative, innovative, critical thinkers for the 21st century”.
They support “a learning culture that encourages curiosity and experimentation”.
They provide, “fun and high-quality guest experiences”.
They strengthen “community impact by collaborating with other organizations and connecting to STEM
resources in our region”.
(http://greatscience.com)

SLIDE 10
The GLSC has made valuable contributions to the community they serve. They are continually updating and
evaluating their programming to meet modern needs and expectations. They provide hands on, interactive, and up
to date programs and exhibits. The science academy series workshops, camps and field trips are scheduled to
accommodate for most working families.

Their collaborative partnerships with local schools and other information institutions is a laudable example of
how information institutions working together can further the missions of both organizations while providing
improved community services.

The GLSC is well prepared to continue growing, thriving and contributing to public enrichment for years to
come.

I am recommending that the GLSC should be included on the mayors list of outstanding institutions.

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