About SPI
We began the Science Play-Space Initiative (SPI) to create a non-profit, local play space with a focus on science and technology in February, 2011.
Our mission is to enhance the Knox County community by bringing people of all ages together to explore science and technology through play.
Our first location at 14 S. Main Street was a great start, and in March 2013 we moved to a larger location at 227/225 S. Main Street. In March 2017, SPI moved to our permanent location at the Wright Center (the former Buckeye Candy and Tobacco Building) at 400 S. Main Street in partnership with Kenyon College. The building hosts SPI and the Kenyon Office of Community Engagement on the first floor. SPI remains a separate, independent non-profit agency.
At SPI, there are age-appropriate areas of play that foster scientific ways of understanding of the natural world and technology. SPI also runs special programs, activities and camps, and brings activities to community events, schools, and organizations throughout the Knox County area.
Our organization believes it is important to:
Our mission is to enhance the Knox County community by bringing people of all ages together to explore science and technology through play.
Our first location at 14 S. Main Street was a great start, and in March 2013 we moved to a larger location at 227/225 S. Main Street. In March 2017, SPI moved to our permanent location at the Wright Center (the former Buckeye Candy and Tobacco Building) at 400 S. Main Street in partnership with Kenyon College. The building hosts SPI and the Kenyon Office of Community Engagement on the first floor. SPI remains a separate, independent non-profit agency.
At SPI, there are age-appropriate areas of play that foster scientific ways of understanding of the natural world and technology. SPI also runs special programs, activities and camps, and brings activities to community events, schools, and organizations throughout the Knox County area.
Our organization believes it is important to:
- Develop natural curiosity in children and inspire adults.
- Help develop the economic and intellectual potential of our community.
- Foster community and intergenerational interaction.
- Create opportunities to playfully explore science and technology.
- Develop confidence in problem-solving skills through play.
- Enable visitors to experience and appreciate science through body, mind, and environment.
- Acquaint visitors with the tools and methods of science.
- Increase awareness of local engagement in science and technology.
- Provide an enriching space for visitors to learn though playful activities.
- Take opportunities to explore science into venues beyond the space.
- Provide informal science education.
- Provide opportunities for volunteering.
- Provide opportunities for training future educators.
ASTC
SPI belongs to the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC). ASTC is a global organization providing collective voice, professional support, and programming opportunities for science centers, museums, and related institutions, whose innovative approaches to science learning inspire people of all ages about the wonders and meaning of science in their lives. Members of SPI enjoy reciprocal admission at ASTC facilities throughout the world.
ASTC Statement on Science: Science is a human endeavor that uses observations and experimentation to develop explanations of the natural world. Scientific theories are grounded in and compatible with evidence, internally consistent, and demonstrably effective in explaining a wide variety of phenomena. Science is based on hundreds of years of scientific observation and experimentation and many thousands of peer-reviewed publications.
SPI belongs to the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC). ASTC is a global organization providing collective voice, professional support, and programming opportunities for science centers, museums, and related institutions, whose innovative approaches to science learning inspire people of all ages about the wonders and meaning of science in their lives. Members of SPI enjoy reciprocal admission at ASTC facilities throughout the world.
ASTC Statement on Science: Science is a human endeavor that uses observations and experimentation to develop explanations of the natural world. Scientific theories are grounded in and compatible with evidence, internally consistent, and demonstrably effective in explaining a wide variety of phenomena. Science is based on hundreds of years of scientific observation and experimentation and many thousands of peer-reviewed publications.
Statement of Nondiscrimination
We will not discriminate against any person in the hiring of personnel, election of board members, provision of service to the public, the contracting for or purchasing of services or in any other way, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disabling condition, age or any other basis prohibited by law.
We will not discriminate against any person in the hiring of personnel, election of board members, provision of service to the public, the contracting for or purchasing of services or in any other way, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disabling condition, age or any other basis prohibited by law.