On January 25, 2010, the CMV began doing business as OH WOW! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology (OH WOW!).  

Two hundred community and business leaders, educators, underwriters and sponsors, as well as media representatives attended our launch, toured the space, and learned about our plans for the building’s renovation. We have exceeded all expectations and are now poised to become the region’s premier interactive, hands-on children’s museum in Northeast Ohio, opening Fall, 2010!

We would like you to be part of our success!  Add your name to our list of investors by making a one-time gift today or a multi-year pledge. In addition to various donation levels, naming opportunities are available for investors wishing to make a significant impact. While no amount is too small, investments of $3,000 or more will be acknowledged on our “Wall of Recognition”.
 
Recent investments received include $75,000 from The Frank & Pearl Gelbman Foundation of Huntington National Bank; and $25,000 from The J. Ford Crandall Foundation. 

On Monday January 25, 2010, the community was treated to a sneak peak at the new location of the Children’s Center for Science & Technology (previously the Children’s Museum of the Valley), formally located on East Boardman Street in downtown Youngstown.  Late last year the Center’s board of directors completed a lease agreement with First National Bank of Pennsylvania for the relocation of operations to the historic McCrory Building on Central Square.

 

Standing in middle of the now-bare 16,000 square-foot building, Ron Faniro, board president, credited the relationship with First National Bank, the collaboration with the YSU College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, and the early success of a capital campaign all factors in making the relocation to the larger facility possible.

 

When opened in Fall 2010 the new Center will offer hands-on, interactive exhibits that are unlike those found in other children’s museums.  Faniro said the board has contracted with one of the top design firms in the country to create exhibits that are totally unique, fun, and at the same time, educational.  “In a word, what we will offer here is ‘edutainment,’” he remarked.

 

A highlight of the event was the unveiling of a new name and graphic logo for the Center.  The facility will now be known as “OH WOW!” The Gloria & Roger Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology.  Suzanne Barbati, the Center’s executive director, said the new branding image captures the excitement that children and families will experience when they visit.  “Based on the nature of the new hi-tech, hands-on exhibits, we believe we are going to hear a lot of ‘Oh Wows’,” she beamed. 

 

The new name also honors Gloria and Roger Jones of Youngstown, long-time supporters and major contributors to the Center’s “Science Makes Cents” capital campaign.  The couple, appearing in a pre-recorded video, said they became involved because nothing is more important than the education of children.

 

Bruce Sherman, chairman of the capital campaign, commented that a significant amount of the $1.5 million goal has already been pledged and cited local foundations, individual donors, and area businesses for their generosity.

 

Congressman Tim Ryan commented that the hi-tech nature of the exhibits and programs the Center will offer make it a perfect fit into the Valley’s focus on tech-based industries starting up or relocating here.  “With the Youngstown Business Incubator and Turning Technologies two blocks down Federal Street the vision of creating a hi-tech corridor downtown is taking shape,” the congressman remarked.

 

The focus of  “OH WOW” will be providing hands-on, interactive experiences for children ages 5 thru 12 with accompanying opportunities for learners of all ages.  The facility expects to have a regional impact, drawing between 25-30 thousand visitors in the first year from across the tri-state area.

 

Plans for the renovation of the building’s two floors are expected to be complete soon with construction getting underway in the early spring.

 

Additional information is available online at www.ValleyKids.org.

 

 Parking in downtown Youngstown is available, and among the best deal you will find anywhere!!  

We hope to have key lots marked with balloons, so look for them - they will be orange and yellow in color. 

I found this map after googling "parking in downtown youngstown".  If it is too difficult to read, please conduct your own search, or contact these parking lot owners by phone (list provided below picture). 


USA Parking Youngstown
www.usaparking.com - (330) 746-7275 - More

USA Parking Youngstown: Garage
maps.google.com - (330) 747-3434 - 3 reviews

Ampco System Parking
www.abm.com - (330) 747-7678 - More

A 1 Parking
maps.google.com - (330) 740-0460 - More

USA Parking Systems
www.usaparking.com - (330) 746-1517 - More

Because of our relocation to the historic McCrory’s Department Store building on Federal Plaza in downtown Youngstown, the CCS&T will be on hiatus during construction, and open Fall, 2010.

Memberships can be purchased at 2009 rates of $35 for individual, $50 for family, and $100 for reciprocal.  For more information, please contact Suzanne:  director@valleykids.org.

Reservations for the 2010-2011 school year are also being accepted at 2009 rates.  Afterschool programs, field trips, birthday parties and professional development opportunities are just a few of the events you can schedule at the CCS&T. 

We have staff available to assist you in writing grants to help defray the transportation and admission costs for your class.   For more information, please contact Suzanne:  director@valleykids.org.  

Would you like to meet and greet visitors at our January 25th unveiling?  Please let us know by emailing Suzanne at director@valleykids.org.

The NEW Children's Center for Science & Technology is expected to be open Fall, 2010!  To accommodate our construction schedule, members of the Children's Center for Science & Technology are being given a 12 month extension on their membership.

Membership at the CCS&T entitles the holder to unlimited visits during the year.

If you join us on Monday, January 25, 2010 at 10:30 a.m., you and your family will be able to tour the new space at 15 Central Square, Youngstown, and learn about our plans for the building’s renovation! We will also unveil our new identity, kick-off our “Science Makes Cents” capital campaign, and introduce you to our exhibit designers, Roto Studios (http://www.rotostudio.com). We hope you can join us!

Please RSVP to director@valleykids.org or by calling 330-744-5914.

On Monday, January 25, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. you are cordially invited to participate in an event that will significantly impact the entire Mahoning Valley for many years to come.   Please join other community and business leaders, educators, underwriters and sponsors, as well as media representatives as we launch a most important and exciting phase in the development of the Children’s Center for Science & Technology.
 
The new Children’s Center for Science & Technology is poised to become the region’s premier interactive, hands-on children’s museum.  In 2010, the Center will move from its present location on East Boardman St. in downtown Youngstown to its new home in the historic McCrory Building on Federal Plaza, providing us with 12,000 sq. ft. of space.
 
We encourage you to join us and tour the space and learn about our plans for the building’s renovation and installation of national-quality exhibits.  We will also unveil our exciting new identity as well as our capital campaign.  Refreshments will be served.


Event:    Media and Launch Event for the NEW Children’s Center for Science & Technology

Date:     Monday, January 25, 2010            

Time:    10:30 a.m.

Location:    McCrory Building 17 Central Square, Downtown Youngstown, Ohio




Please R.S.V.P. by January 21st by calling 330-744-5914 or by email at director@ValleyKids.org.