COSI Toledo
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| COSI Toledo | |
 |
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| Established | March 1, 1997 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | December 31, 2007 |
| Location | Toledo, Ohio |
| Type | Science museum |
| Website | www.cositoledo.org |
COSI Toledo (the Center of Science and Industry) was a non-profit, hands-on science museum located on the riverfront in downtown Toledo, Ohio. The facility had over 300 exhibits for "children of all ages."[1] After a tax levy failed on the November 2006 Lucas County ballot, COSI Toledo announced it was laying off some staff and might be forced to close its doors in 2007 unless alternative forms of funding were found.[2] Voters voted down a second levy in November 2007. Due to this, COSI closed its doors to the public on December 31, 2007.[3] While the facility remains closed to the public, a small number of COSI Team members are continuing to offer COSI Toledo's Educational Outreach Programs to schools. The Outreach Program includes Workshops on Wheels (classroom workshops), Extreme Science Days, Family Science Nights and Distance Learning Programs. While the facility remains closed to the public, the COSI Toledo Board of Directors has remained intact and is exploring all possible options regarding public support to reopen the Science Center at sometime in the future.
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[edit] History
In 1984, the Portside Festival Marketplace opened along the Maumee River with the hope of revitalizing downtown Toledo. In 1990, the marketplace closed, leaving a vacant 100,000 ft² (9290 m²) modern facility.[4] A committee, appointed by the mayor, was charged with finding the best use for the site. Researching options, committee members heard repeatedly the need for an educational family attraction. As a result, COSI Columbus was approached regarding the development of a similar institution in Toledo. Together, a structure was developed making COSI Toledo an independent, not-for-profit organization with a board of trustees from Northwest Ohio, while taking advantage of the experience and resources of COSI Columbus.
A major fundraising campaign raised $9.5 million dollars, surpassing the original goal by $4.5 million dollars. Additionally, the state supported the project with $10 million dollars.[4] Another major step in establishing COSI Toledo was the transfer of the facility to COSI at a value of $16 million dollars. On 1 March 1997, COSI Toledo opened its doors to the public.[5] The facility attracts an average of 250,000 visitors per year[6], and over 2.5 million since opening.[4]
In 2005, COSI won a National Award for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the nation’s highest honor for extraordinary public service by a museum or library.[7] The award was presented by Laura Bush at a White House ceremony in January 2006.[8]
On July 28, 2006, COSI Toledo and COSI Columbus legally split so each could focus on their own financial troubles.[9] Later that year, Berrien Springs Public Schools awarded a 2006 Teachers' Choice Awards to COSI Toledo for its distance learning program.[10] After voters voted down a second levy in November 2007, COSI closed due to lack of funding on December 31, 2007.[11] The most common visitor complaints were that museum was too expensive, small in size, and that parking was a bit far away.[12] Toledoans also acknowledged COSI's lack of proper management, among other things.[13]
[edit] Educational programs
COSI Toledo while closed to the public is continuing to offer its educational outreach programs to schools, including Distance Learning, which provides interactive distance learning for science in the classroom, Workshop on Wheels which provides classroom sized workshops, and Science Festivals (Extreme Science Days and Family Science Nights) which are science demonstrations combined with hands-on exploration stations at schools. All of these programs are aligned with the Ohio Science Academic Content Standards and The Michigan Curriculum Framework,[14] In the past COSI Toledo also offered Project ISIS, which was an Inquiry and Science Induction for Schools, and UPCLOSE, which was a youth development program for teenage girls.[14] COSI also hosted field trips, hosting approximately 80,000 students for such in 2006,[6] , scout programs to give badges to Girl Scouts, and Webelos Boy Scouts,[14] and Camp-I, overnight stays.[14]
[edit] References
- ^ Erika Ray (2006). Hot spots: New attractions take center stage at popular locales. Discover 2006. The Blade (newspaper). Retrieved on 2007-04-16. “COSI has more than 300 exhibits for children of all ages”
- ^ Jenni Laidman (2006-11-09). COSI seeks interim financial solution. The Blade (newspaper). Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
- ^ Welcome to COSI Toledo
- ^ a b c COSI Toledo. Cultural Facilities Projects. Ohio Cultural Facilities Commission. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
- ^ Big Wheel at COSI Toledo, vol. 59, Toledo, Ohio: The Blade (newspaper), 1997-03-01
- ^ a b FAQ for COSI Toledo. COSI Toledo. Retrieved on 2007-04-10.
- ^ Institute of Museum and Library Services (2005-11-30). "Three Museums and Three Libraries to Receive Nation’s Highest Honor for Extraordinary Community Service". Press release. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
- ^ toledoblade.com - Laura Bush lauds COSI Toledo
- ^ COSI Columbus splitting with Toledo counterpart - Business First of Columbus:
- ^ Janine Lim. Teachers' Choice Awards: Best Content Providers. Berrien Springs Public Schools. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
- ^ Welcome to COSI Toledo
- ^ Cosi Toledo - Toledo, OH 43604 - Reviews: Banquet & Reception Sites, Museums
- ^ Cosi Woes - id 2031 - Toledo Talk topic
- ^ a b c d Programs. COSI Toledo. Retrieved on 2007-04-16.
