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Building a STEM-Engagement Partnership in Corona

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The New York Hall of Science collaborates with local schools, families, and community-based organizations to co-design learning opportunities that improve access to and engagement with science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Our goal is to collaborate with community members in developing and implementing STEM experiences including programs, events and resources that provide our community with multiple pathways for engaging and exploring STEM.

Corona Community Engagement Programs


Free Friday Afternoons

We are excited to invite community members to visit the New York Hall of Science with family and friends during our weekly Community Hours. General admission is free each Friday from 2pm- 5pm for families to have fun and explore science through hands-on exhibits and activities.


Activities during Community Hours include:


  • Sustainable Sewing - Learn how to recycle clothes or fabrics to make your own re-usable bag.
  • Sphero City - Learn how to use Spheros to navigate a city maze to collect trash.
  • Ziplines - Design and test ways to transport animals safely through the air.
  • Dowel Sculptures - Practice your engineering skills by building freestanding structures with dowels and rubber bands.

Community Hours tickets are available for reservation here.

Building stem partnership
Pre-K STEM Enrichment Program

In partnership with the NYC Department of Education, NYSCI implemented a Pre-K STEM Enrichment program with a new Pre-K Center on our campus, opened in Fall 2022. Co-designed with District 24 Mosaic Pre-K school leaders, the program will include STEM curriculum development, professional learning & coaching for teachers, specialized class field trips, and STEM family days for over 300 families in Corona.

The new Mosaic Pre-K Center at 111th Street (Q369) accommodates General and Special Education 3K and Pre-K students. Families can apply through MySchools.nyc during NYC enrollment periods. Please feel free to contact the Mosaic Pre-K Parent Coordinator, Seema Ali, at Sali6@schools.nyc.gov or call the main office at 718-326-8170 for more information.

Screenshot 2023 10 23 at 1 31 50 PM
Community Celebrations & Collaborations


NYSCI creates pathways for families to engage in STEM learning opportunities through community events and outreaches. These special events aim to celebrate the community’s cultural traditions while being responsive to community needs. Some of these events include:

  • Back to School Festival

  • Community Appreciation Day

  • Community Festival Participation

Community celebrations
Family Engagement

NYSCI offers multigenerational approaches for making and learning with early learners and their families. Families can currently participate in Sustainable Sewing workshops during Free Friday Afternoons. New programs for parents, caregivers and families to play and learn together at the museum are continuously being developed and implemented throughout the year.

Elmhurst Corona Recovery Collaborative


The Elmhurst Corona Recovery Collaborative (ECRC) consists of 25 local organizations working together to meet the needs of the Elmhurst and Corona communities that have been impacted by Covid-19. The ECRC has:


  • Distributed over 600,000 food packages

  • Hosted vaccine town halls, which has helped Corona and Elmhurst become among the top most vaccinated zipcodes in NYC

  • Hosted art and STEM events, and distributed STEM kits to families
  • Helped community members access more than $1.5M in federal emergency relief through Excluded Workers Fund

For more information visit: https://ecrc.nyc/

Elmhurst recovery collaborative

Sign up for our mailing list to get invitations and announcements to free NYSCI events and activities by emailing Yessenia Bautista at ybautista@nysci.org!


This work is funded with leadership support by the Science Sandbox, an initiative of the Simons Foundation. Additional support has been provided by BNY Mellon, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Richmond County Savings Foundation, the Robin Hood Learning and Technology Fund. These programs are also made possible in part by public funds from the New York Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the New York City Council.