EASTON, Maine — The Francis Malcolm Science Center hosted its annual Open House May 30. A smaller than average crowd of around 40 people were in attendance to enjoy presentations in the planetarium, a model rocket launch and up close viewing of sea creatures in the “Touch Tank.”
The Science Center has been providing visitors with opportunities to explore Maine’s natural history and to experience the only planetarium north of Orono for 32 years. However, dwindling resources may force the facility to close at the end of this year.
A recent capital campaign to raise $1.5 million to revitalize the trust initially established by the late Francis M. Malcolm in 1977 has fallen far short of its goal.
“Francis Malcolm Science Center has expressed the need to pursue financial support from the community over the past few years with only limited results,” said Jim Orser, Trustee of the Science Center. “The Science Center now faces closure of the facility, including the elimination of all programs for school children, by the end of 2015 unless we are able to receive additional financial support in the range of $200,000 – $250,000.”
The Francis M. Malcolm Institute’s legacy began when a “hometown boy” from Easton grew to adulthood, became an educator, and moved west to build a successful academic career. The outcome of his success returned to Aroostook County upon his death in 1977 when Francis Malcolm’s descendants enacted his visionary last wishes. Malcolm had created a monetary trust to build and support a science learning center bearing his name that would provide otherwise inaccessible educational experiences for Aroostook County people.
“Since opening, the Francis Malcolm Science Center perhaps served close to 200,000 members of the public, especially its grade school children. These unforgettable lessons and experience in hands-on discovery approach learning left an indelible mark upon the lives of our community,” said Larry Berz, planetarium director/astronomy educator.
“The critical loss of both our endowment and operational funding to this 32-year-old facility demands an urgent response by the those forces in Aroostook County capable of sustaining its ongoing educational mission as well as its operational costs. Surely a County community without its science center, essentially performing its function without charge, demands your immediate attention.
“Consider the loss to your children and grandchildren without a special place, a community place, to experience and learn the dream and life lessons of science and technology in the 21st and 22nd centuries. We need you. Believe in our mission. Join in our persistence, perseverance, and determination to continue and to serve the Pine Tree State,” said Berz.
The Science Center continues looking for ways to shore up their trust fund. Those interested in financially assisting the Science Center are encouraged to go to www.francismalcolmsciencecenter.com for more information.
Editor’s Note: David Deschesne is the editor of the Fort Fairfield Journal.
