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The Reading Science Center is growing to create more opportunities for children across Berks County to explore science, discover new interests, and build a foundation for the future. Our “Illuminating the Future through STEM” campaign supports the next phase of improvements at our home on Penn Street in Reading, expanding our capacity to provide engaging science, technology, engineering, and math education through field trips, after-school programs, summer camps, and more.
Every year, we serve more than 5,000 students through school field trips and provide additional STEM learning opportunities through after-school programs and host visitors on open days. As more students and schools participate, we need space that allows us to reach more children and offer more educational experiences.
Currently, 10 of Berks County’s 17 school districts participate in Reading Science Center programs. Continued expansion will help us serve more students and create additional opportunities for children to discover the wonders of STEM.
In October 2026, we celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of our expansion with a ribbon cutting and community celebration. The project added approximately 2,700 square feet of exhibit space, giving families and school groups more room to explore, experiment, and learn. The expanded space is already making a difference. Field trip groups are using the new exhibits and additional lunch space, helping us better accommodate visiting students. Phase 1 was made possible through the generosity of foundations, businesses, individual donors, community partners, and the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Program.
With Phase 1 complete, the next step is to continue improving our facility to meet the growing needs of students, educators, and families.
The next phase of the Illuminating the Future through STEM campaign will support additional renovations, including classroom improvements that will create more opportunities for educational programming.
These improvements will help the Reading Science Center:
Expand educational programming by creating more opportunities for after-school programs, summer camps, and other STEM experiences.
Accommodate more students by improving the spaces used for school visits and educational activities.
Support hands-on learning by providing welcoming, functional spaces where students can investigate, experiment, and discover.
Reach more children by building our capacity to serve schools and families throughout Berks County and beyond.
Every child deserves the opportunity to discover the world through science. Your support of the Illuminating the Future through STEM campaign will help fund the next phase of improvements at the Reading Science Center, creating more opportunities for children to explore their curiosity, develop new skills, and experience the possibilities of STEM education. Together, we can build a stronger future for STEM learning in our community.
Help us continue growing to meet the needs of students, schools, and families throughout Berks County.
There are several additional ways to support the expansion campaign:
Gifts by check
Corporate giving
Gifts of stock
Donor-advised funds
Qualified charitable distributions
Multi-year pledges
To discuss these giving opportunities or learn more about supporting the expansion, please contact:
Ralia Vardaxis
Executive Director, Reading Science Center
ralia.vardaxis@readingsciencecenter.org
The Illuminating the Future through STEM campaign is made possible by the generosity of our community. We are grateful to the businesses, foundations, and individuals who have contributed to the Reading Science Center’s expansion and helped bring Phase 1 to life.