NEW PNC INNOVATION ZONE AT WHITAKER CENTER ATTRACTS NATIONAL ATTENTION AT LEADING TECHNOLOGY AND CINEMA CONFERENCES THIS FALL

Whitaker Center Part of National STEM Gaming Network

HARRISBURG, PA (September 8, 2022) —The recently-established National STEM Gaming Network, a collaboration of science and technology centers that includes Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Saint Louis Science Center, Arizona Science Center, Science Museum of Minnesota, and San Antonio Museum of Science & Technology, will present their groundbreaking ideas on how to inspire and shape the next generation of science and technology centers nationwide at the Association of Technology and Science Centers’ Annual Conference in Pittsburgh on September 12, 2022. In addition, the Gaming Network was invited to speak at the Giant Screen Cinema Association 2022 International Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee on September 29, 2022.?

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts President and CEO Ted Black will present a case study about its newly launched PNC Innovation Zone, a first-of-its kind, 7,000 square foot space that includes a 40-foot digital cinema and a world-class purposeful gaming studio that engages children, eight years and older, in interactive activities, while sparking interest STEM and technology by using esports and purposeful gaming as a platform to teach STEM-related skills. Specifically, the PNC Innovation Zone at Whitaker Center, powered by Comcast, hosts weekly activities, led by certified educators, including creative design coding with Minecraft and Bloxels, building with Scrap Mechanic and Poly Bridge, as well as esports competitions, Girls in STEM and Surgery Live! programs.

“Unfortunately, many kids ‘age out’ of visiting a science center because it’s perceived as not cool after a certain age,” said Ted Black, President and CEO of Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts.?“The explosive popularity of esports and video games present a fantastic opportunity for science and technology centers to engage the K-12 audience and offer unique educational opportunities. We look forward to sharing our ideas and, hopefully, inspiring all the attendees at these premier conferences.” ?

The Whitaker Center saw an opportunity to renovate an underutilized non-ticketed space and create a safe place where kids can reconnect with friends and family, share their passion for gaming and esports, while learning about coding, art, and the technology that is embedded in these popular video games.

“We are excited to have the National STEM Gaming Network present at the 2022 GSCA International Conference,” said Tammy Barrett, GSCA’s Executive Director. “It’s important to attract new audiences and keep them engaged, and giant screen theaters are an important and strategic tool for museums and science centers to do that.?We look forward to sharing the opportunities that the Gaming Network will provide to our conference attendees and members.”

The Whitaker Center, along with other science centers in the Network, will share programming ideas and experiences around STEM gaming, including open public open plays, esports XP sessions on the big screen, camps, competitions, enrichment programs, and leagues that have been initiated in their science and technology centers. Through all these innovative programs, children of all backgrounds, including gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation, and those with different types of learning abilities, can participate and learn.

Black added, “It’s been incredible to see the transformation of our space, and how Whitaker Center is now viewed as a destination for older kids in the community. Purposeful gaming-related programs can create 21st-century learning opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to all. Our core values include creating holistic gamers, offering an encouraging & supportive environment, illuminating STEM concepts inherent in gaming, and promoting academic and job opportunities through gaming. It is a win-win for everyone.”

The Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC) Annual Conference is one of the premier annual events for science-engagement professionals and leaders in science and technology centers and museums, as well as allied organizations across North America and around the world.

The Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) includes more than 260 organizations in 20 countries including giant screen filmmakers, distributors, theaters, suppliers, and manufacturers from around the world. The mission of the association is to facilitate communication, information sharing and the development of best practices to support the production and exhibition of original, high-quality educational and entertaining giant screen cinema experiences.

About Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts

Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is a non-profit center for the arts, education, entertainment, and cultural enrichment located in the heart of Harrisburg’s vibrant downtown. Whitaker Center is home to the PNC Innovation Zone, Sunoco Performance Theater, Harsco Science Center, STEM Design Studios and Select Medical Digital Cinema. For more information about PNC Innovation Zone visit https://www.whitakercenter.org/pnc-innovation-zone.