The Iowa Children’s Museum Receives $17k from Bayer Fund

CORALVILLE — A $17,000 donation to the Iowa Children’s Museum will provide new technology for a Storytime STEM program — an outreach program that provides first-graders in rural school districts with hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.

The museum received a grant from the Bayer Fund — a nonprofit that works to assist families in under-resourced communities — earlier this month, for the STEM program, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math.

“We are so grateful to the Bayer Fund for their support and commitment to STEM education in our community,” said Jeff Capps, executive director of The Iowa Children’s Museum. “These funds will allow us to expand and improve our Storytime STEM program, which introduces first-grade students to basic STEM concepts, while also building literacy and social skills.”

This donation will provide new coding robots and supplies for a computer science activity that brings a fairy tale to life. Thanks to support from community partners like the Bayer Fund, this program complements traditional classroom instruction and helps close the STEM opportunity gap for rural students.

“Throughout the years, the grants given through Bayer Fund have helped strengthen our communities across the United States,” said Al Mitchell, President of Bayer Fund. “We’re proud to be able to provide support to develop programs like The Iowa Children’s Museum, which has been critical in inspiring future generations for careers in the high-demand STEM fields.”

In 2021, Bayer Fund awarded more than $13.1 million to over 3,400 charitable and nonprofit organizations to help address essential needs in Food and Nutrition, STEM Education, and Health & Wellness. Over the last five years, nonprofit organizations across the U.S. have received more than $75 million.

The Iowa Children's Museum is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing children with hands-on, interactive learning experiences. Located in Coralville, the museum offers exhibits, programs and events designed to spark imagination, curiosity, and a love of learning.

The museum's exhibits focus on a wide range of subjects, including science, technology, engineering, art, and math, and are designed to be educational, engaging, and fun. The Iowa Children’s Museum provides 25 percent of annual museum attendance free of charge, enabling the entire community to experience the power of play.