Announcing the new
Children's Science Education Endowment Fund
The Children's Science Education Endowment Fund is a new grant program of North Valley Community Foundation formed to carry on the more than 40 year legacy of the Chico Science Fair. While funding a traditional science fair has sunsetted, the goal to continue to provide financial support for science education for local youth remains strong.
Current Funding Recipient- Gateway Science Museum
Gateway Science Museum, a hands‑on science and natural history museum on the Chico State campus, is proud to announce a generous donation from the Children's Science Education Endowment Fund, held at North Valley Community Foundation.
This funding, which totals $37,202 over two years, will support Gateway’s dynamic exhibition experiences and related educational programming for K-12 students and the public, including field trip scholarships and transportation stipends for underserved schools in Butte County. Additionally, the donation will fund employing Chico State students who lead these hands-on, immersive learning experiences for visiting classes.
The Children's Science Education Endowment Fund donation will also support the spring 2026 exhibit Motion Mania that explores the physics of roller coasters. Through interactive displays, real-world simulations, and thrilling experiments, visitors of all ages will explore the forces, motion, and engineering behind one of the world’s most exhilarating inventions—roller coasters. The learning goals of Motion Mania are the type of direct hands-on experiences that science educators know help kids learn.
For more information about the Children's Science Education Endowment Fund at North Valley Community Foundation, visit nvcf.org/funds/childrens-science-education-endowment-fund.
David Little, North Valley Community Foundation executive vice president, 530-891-1150, ext. 300, [email protected].
For more information about Gateway Science Museum, its exhibits, and educational programs, visit csuchico.edu/gateway.
Adrienne McGraw, Executive Director, Gateway Science Museum, 530.898.3142, [email protected]
Current Funding Recipient- Gateway Science Museum
Gateway Science Museum, a hands‑on science and natural history museum on the Chico State campus, is proud to announce a generous donation from the Children's Science Education Endowment Fund, held at North Valley Community Foundation.
This funding, which totals $37,202 over two years, will support Gateway’s dynamic exhibition experiences and related educational programming for K-12 students and the public, including field trip scholarships and transportation stipends for underserved schools in Butte County. Additionally, the donation will fund employing Chico State students who lead these hands-on, immersive learning experiences for visiting classes.
The Children's Science Education Endowment Fund donation will also support the spring 2026 exhibit Motion Mania that explores the physics of roller coasters. Through interactive displays, real-world simulations, and thrilling experiments, visitors of all ages will explore the forces, motion, and engineering behind one of the world’s most exhilarating inventions—roller coasters. The learning goals of Motion Mania are the type of direct hands-on experiences that science educators know help kids learn.
For more information about the Children's Science Education Endowment Fund at North Valley Community Foundation, visit nvcf.org/funds/childrens-science-education-endowment-fund.
David Little, North Valley Community Foundation executive vice president, 530-891-1150, ext. 300, [email protected].
For more information about Gateway Science Museum, its exhibits, and educational programs, visit csuchico.edu/gateway.
Adrienne McGraw, Executive Director, Gateway Science Museum, 530.898.3142, [email protected]
Fostering Science in our Community Since 1984
The Chico Science Fair Foundation's Mission is to promote the wonders of science among the youth in our community. We are committed to helping our nation stay at the forefront of scientific inquiry through local involvement.
Scenes from Past Events