The Discovery Center of Springfield Inc. received an international award for its educational work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Springfield nonprofit on Sept. 14 took home a Roy L. Shafer Leading Edge Award at the Association of Science and Technology Centers international conference in Pittsburgh, according to a news release. The award recognizes organizations for community service beyond the science, technology, engineering and math engagement mission that's central to the ASTC.
“The Discovery Center is a special community asset, and our community itself is special because it is a place where we are not limited by our size or geographical location when it comes to making something where we are,” said Rob Blevins, the Discovery Center's executive director, in the release. “I met with colleagues from around the world ... after the ceremony that wanted to share how moving our story has been to them and their organizations."
During the pandemic, the Discovery Center offered child care services for health care workers, and it launched Discovery School at the Center, a private school that focuses on STEM programming.
The Discovery Center last year won a $1 million national prize for its educational work during the pandemic, according to past reporting.