Marjorie Bolz Allen Grant

The Allen Family with an article about Marjorie.

Marjorie Bolz Allen was a lifelong museum volunteer and exemplary board member who served on the board from 1960-1980. She earned the distinction of becoming a Life Trustee due to her long and exemplary years of service. Her love of learning, science and education will now be memorialized through the ideas, expertise and creativity of our volunteer corps and community organizations who are willing to invest time educating our visitors.

Volunteers from the Science Museum of Minnesota, Warner Nature Center and Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center may apply for grants ranging from $200 to $1,000.

Projects must address a topic that will ultimately increase visitors' awareness of a science, technology, engineering or mathematical (STEM) discipline. Eligible projects will require a short write up of the proposed idea, a general budget and the written approval of a supervising employee. Projects can include behind-the-scenes projects that will eventually be presented to visitors. Projects must include interactive educational and interpretive components that raise the awareness of visitors and facilitate reflection before, during or after the learning experience.

Criteria for project selection:

• Project will address and impact visitors' understanding of a STEM discipline.
• Project will mobilize volunteers (beyond those applying for sustained action and leadership.
• Project includes a sustainable component such as reusable materials or mentoring of new volunteers.
• Project is developed in collaboration with a Science Museum or Warner Nature Center employee who will approve and oversee its implementation.
• Project has the potential to have a lasting impact on the Science Museum , Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center, Warner Nature Center and their visitors.

If you have an idea that you would like to have funded that will directly enhance the visitors' experience, please download the RFP (PDF | 98 KB). The next round of grants need to be received by May 15, 2009. You may also request information by email at or call (651) 221-9453 for more information.