Contact:
Emily Landis

Executive Director

Lancaster Science Factory
Phone: (717)509-6363 X103
Email: [email protected]

(Lancaster, PA) The PPL Foundation has announced that the company will be making a $100,000 grant to the Lancaster Science Factory to fabricate a permanent exhibit on sustainable energy at the science center. The PPL Sustainable Energy Floor will convert human movement into energy. When a person steps onto the floor and starts moving, LED’s light up and charge a wall-mounted energy meter. Advanced software connected to the floor makes it possible to play educational games, combining the output of data and energy with the movement of visitors.

“PPL has been a supporter of the Science Factory since 2007, before the non-profit science center opened to the public in January 2008,” said the Science Factory’s Executive Director Emily Landis.  “Every First Friday, PPL and the Science Factory support a thriving downtown Lancaster staying open until 8 PM and offering free admission.  It’s a great opportunity for those who cannot afford to visit, those who have never visited before, and for many local families who appreciate an enriching repeat destination as their children grow.”

This new exhibit will be a part of the Science Factory’s plans for expansion and the addition of several new and updated exhibits for students, families and an anticipated 60,000 visitors each year to enjoy. The expansion project and exhibits are currently under development and tentatively scheduled to be finalized for the fall of 2018, pending the completion of a fundraising campaign in honor of the science center’s 10^th anniversary in January of 2018.

“The Science Factory has done such a fantastic job bringing science and math to life for students in fun, hands-on ways that mimic the real world.  I love visiting and seeing the looks of excitement on the students’ faces as they have so much fun while learning,” said Jess Baker, Regional Affairs Director at PPL.  “Therefore, we couldn’t be more excited to help the Science Factory with their expansion through our grant for a sustainable energy exhibit.”

About the Lancaster Science Factory:

The mission of the Lancaster Science Factory is to create an environment for learning which helps children develop curiosity, think creatively and build confidence as they learn the principles of science and the application of science in engineering and technology. Highly interactive exhibits, workstations and mini-labs offer “open-ended” learning experiences with opportunities for visitors to experiment and create. We actively seek to make the Science Factory accessible to all the young people in the community. 454 New Holland Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17602, 717-509-6363, [email protected].

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