KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Science centers are where curiosity comes to life — inspiring future scientists, engineers and problem-solvers. Engineering and construction firm Burns & McDonnell is excited to announce it will donate over $1 million over three years to support three science centers making a difference in their communities: the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, Connecticut, the Saint Louis Science Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and The Works Museum in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Through interactive exhibits, hands-on experiments and learning programs that go beyond textbooks, these organizations offer students of all backgrounds the opportunity to explore the wonders of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The donations are funded by the Burns & McDonnell Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Burns & McDonnell. Driven and funded by the firm’s employee-owners, the Foundation invests in programs and initiatives that inspire the next generation of STEM leaders, cultivate vibrant and healthy communities, and advance civic initiatives through partnerships with schools, nonprofits and community organizations.

“Investing in science centers is about more than exhibits, it’s about sparking curiosity, expanding access and opening doors,” says Leslie M. Duke, chair and CEO of Burns & McDonnell. “Our Foundation supports these spaces because they bring STEM to life for young people, especially those who might not see themselves in these careers, even though we know they belong there.”

A $500,000 donation to the Connecticut Science Center will help modernize the current energy exhibit, originally developed in 2009, transforming it into an engaging, updated experience that explores electricity, fossil fuels, clean energy sources and challenges of meeting future energy demands. Development is already underway to define the concept for the new exhibit, with installation planned for 2028.

"Burns & McDonnell has been a valued partner of the Connecticut Science Center since our early days, contributing meaningfully to our exhibits, public programs and STEM outreach," says Matt Fleury, president and CEO of the Connecticut Science Center. "Their support of the re-imagined Energy City gallery is a powerful investment in the future. Together, we are creating an engaging space that showcases cutting-edge energy technologies and empowers our community with practical knowledge about sustainable living. This collaboration is helping inspire a greener, brighter tomorrow for all."

The Youth Exploring Science (YES) program at the Saint Louis Science Center will receive $250,000 to enhance the program, which supports students from underserved or traditionally underrepresented communities in STEM throughout their high school years, helping them build the knowledge and experience needed for in-demand STEM jobs.

“This donation will allow us to deepen the impact of our YES initiative,” says Dr. Ray Vandiver, president and CEO of the Saint Louis Science Center. “By giving teens access to real-world skills, we’re not just teaching STEM but we are empowering students to see themselves as future engineers, innovators and leaders in their communities.”

A new interactive exhibit highlighting the impact of engineering is also planned for The Works Museum, made possible by a $350,000 donation. The museum welcomes 55,000 children and their families each year through hands-on exhibits, field trips, family programs and camps focusing on inspiring the next generation of innovators, creative problem solvers and engineers.

“Engineering is everywhere — shaping how we live, work and solve problems,” says Jill Measells, CEO of The Works Museum. “Thanks to the support of the Burns & McDonnell Foundation, we’re excited to create a new, hands-on experience that helps kids discover how engineering plays a role in everything they do, and that everyone engineers.”

The Burns & McDonnell Foundation, established in 1988 by the firm’s employee-owners, continues to make a significant impact nationwide. In 2024 alone, employee-owners contributed more than $11 million to communities across the country — including $250,000 in STEM grants for classrooms nationwide.

The Foundation is also a partner of Project Lead The Way, contributing $3 million over six years, and has invested more than $10 million in eight new science center exhibits at Science City at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri, through the Burns & McDonnell Battle of the Brains STEM competition.

About Burns & McDonnell

Working from more than 75 offices around the world, Burns & McDonnell designs and builds critical infrastructure. Our family of companies — driven by engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists — delivers projects grounded in safety and a desire to make a difference as we make our clients successful. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. Learn more.

About The Connecticut Science Center

Located in downtown Hartford, the LEED Gold-certified Connecticut Science Center ignites creativity and fosters a love for science through engaging, hands-on interactive experiences — all while maintaining a commitment to environmental sustainability. With more than 165 hands-on exhibits, the Science Center explores a wide range of topics, including space and earth sciences, biology, the Connecticut River watershed, alternative energy, physical sciences, Connecticut’s inventors and innovations, and more.

Highlights include the state’s year-round butterfly habitat, a dedicated children’s gallery, five educational labs, a 200-seat 3D digital theater, a function room, and a gift store. The Science Center hosts events for all ages throughout the year.

As a nonprofit organization, the Connecticut Science Center is committed to enhancing science education across Connecticut and New England, providing enriching learning opportunities for students and adults alike.

For more information, visit CTSCienceCenter.org or call (860) SCIENCE.

About The Saint Louis Science Center

The mission of the Saint Louis Science Center is to inspire everyone to be curious and engaged in science. Named a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate in 2016, the award-winning Science Center engages guests through on-site experiences, including hundreds of hands-on exhibits, the OMNIMAX® Theater, which is one of the only IMAX® Dome with Laser theaters in the world, and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium, which was recently named America’s Best Planetarium by the USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards. For more information about the Saint Louis Science Center, please visit slsc.org.

About The Works Museum

The Works Museum is all about hands-on engineering for kids ages 5-12 and their families. When you visit The Works Museum, you’ll dig into the basics of engineering, science, and technology with our interactive experiences and design challenges. Kids touch, try, and build as they explore how things work – all in the Museum’s open floor plan that makes it easy to supervise your creative explorers.

We need the imagination and skill of engineers to solve the problems and address the challenges of our modern world. Engineering fuels collaboration, persistence, and problem solving; critical skills for every child from every walk of life. The Works Museum welcomes you to explore engineering and stretch your imagination.