The Discovery Receives Cambio Distinction

For the past year, The Discovery has participated in a professional development program called Cambio, aimed at helping museums create culturally relevant and responsive STEM experiences for Latinx communities. Five organizations were selected from a field of STEM-focused museums and institutions across the United States through a highly competitive process to form Cohort 3, all of whom possess commitments to equity and inclusion, capacity for reflection and change, and willingness to learn and take action. Cambio means “change” in Spanish, and each museum’s Cambio initiative results in a project that engages the museum in new ways to work with equity in mind.

At The Discovery, five employees were directly involved in this transformative program: Mat Sinclair, Doug Carrion, Amy Renee, Kevin Perez, and Jacquie Adame. Throughout the year, these staff members engaged in monthly meetings, ongoing coaching sessions, and peer-based community of practice for current participants and alumni. In addition to engaging with various educational content across different areas, this team also overcame competing priorities to set aside time each month for learning sessions, working internally to advance their strategic initiative, and completing required assignments.

Upon completion of the Cambio program, The Exploratorium in San Francisco, CA, in partnership with the Cultural Competence Learning Institute (CCLI), awarded Cambio badges to Butterfly Pavilion (Westminster, CO), Museum of Science (Boston, MA), KidZone Museum (Truckee, CA), Space Center Houston (TX), and The Discovery (Reno, NV). This badge symbolizes the successful completion of Cambio and acknowledges the organizational practices that will go on to create science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) experiences that are culturally relevant and responsive to Latinx communities.

The Discovery is thrilled to have had the opportunity to participate in this program and congratulates all the other amazing organizations who also received a Cambio badge.