named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Educate the Educators
Professional development program providing CTLE-approved workshops for teachers in low-income school districts on challenge-based STEM instruction.
Girls do STEAM
Workshops designed for elementary-school aged girls to build confidence and interest in STEAM fields through mentorship and skill-building activities.
In House Field Trips
Two-hour hands-on workshops for students in grades Pre-K to 6th, including career and civic engagement components.
In School Field Trips
Mobile STEM workshops brought directly to schools, led by certified instructors and aligned with state learning standards.
Little Sparks
Preschool STEAM program for young children featuring hands-on learning in science, technology, engineering, art, and math, aligned with Next Generation Science Standards.
STEM Café
Monthly public lecture series featuring scientists discussing current topics in science and technology in an accessible format for all ages.
Science, Engineering and Innovation Camps
Customizable STEM camps offered at schools or groups' locations during school breaks or throughout the year.
activities · 4 groups
What they do
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Hands-On STEM Education Programs 3 activities
- Deliver inquiry-based STEAM education programs for childrenProvides hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) for children in Pre-K through 6th grade, using a constructivist approach aligned with New York State Learning Standards. Programs include daily museum activities, in-house and virtual field trip workshops, and at-home STEM activity boxes featuring live Zoom components.
- Deliver virtual and wellness-focused STEAM programsOffers virtual STEAM programming for schools and groups unable to visit in person, including at-home activity boxes with live Zoom workshops and a Google Classroom platform for ongoing engagement. Also provides a live online wellness class combining creative problem solving, breathwork, visualization, movement, and the arts, hosted over four consecutive Wednesdays.
- Operate specialized STEAM camps and workshops for childrenOffers STEAM camp programs during school breaks and summer vacation, including robotics workshops for grades 3–5, customized offsite STEM camps, and themed programs like the Outdoor STEM Explorers Club for grades 1–6. Also provides the Little Sparks preschool STEAM program and workshops for elementary-school girls featuring women mentors in STEM.
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Children's Themed Birthday Parties 1 activity
- Host family and community engagement eventsHosts indoor and outdoor children's birthday parties, private play sessions for small family groups, a monthly public lecture series featuring scientists, and live webinars on topics such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Also offers virtual and in-person events designed to create lasting memories and support lifelong learning.
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Equitable Access Admission Programs 1 activity
- Provide inclusive and accessible STEAM programmingOffers inclusive STEM programming designed to support learners with special needs, gifted students, and individuals with learning disabilities. Provides free admission and membership to SNAP/EBT cardholders through Museums for All and free admission for active-duty military families via the Blue Star Museum program.
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Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Provide professional development for educatorsOffers state-certified Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) programs that train P-12 educators to integrate STEAM and constructivist learning approaches into standards-based instruction. Focuses on challenge-based STEM education, with targeted support for teachers in low-income Long Island school districts.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$371K
Contributions & grants$203K55%
Program service revenue$168K45%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$367K
Program expenses86%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$231K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$88K
Cash$70K
Investments$0
Liabilities$1K
Net assets$86K
Liquid reserves2.3 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +28.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 5
- Allison Ecker — Chairman
- Anurag Purwar — Chairman
- Evan Branfman — Treasurer
- Greg Dinin — Secretary
- Kathleen de Riesthal — President
relationships · 20
Who they work with
- Atlantic Marine Conservation Society Partner — Collaborates with the Long Island Explorium to present a STEM Café lecture on seals and marine conservation.
- Blue Star Museums Network — Proud participant in the Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to active-duty military families
- Facebook Partner — Hosts camp event pages and shares camp-related content on Facebook.
- Google Classroom Partner — Uses Google Classroom as a platform for participants to ask questions, interact with educators, and share projects.
- Hofstra University Partner — Deputy Director Lisa Collet Rodriguez previously served as an instructor and program director at Hofstra University, indicating a professional and academic affiliation.
- Long Island Explorium Network — Member of the network of 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organizations.
- Microsoft Partner — Board member Greg Dinin is a Senior Technical Account Manager at Microsoft and works with K-12 educators in the NYC Metro Area using Microsoft products, suggesting a professional partnership.
- Museums for All Network — Proud participant in the Museums for All program, providing free admission to SNAP/EBT cardholders
- NAACP Partner — Executive Director Angeline Judex serves as Chair of the ACT-SO committee for the Brookhaven (NY) NAACP branch, indicating an organizational partnership.
- NYSSLS Network — Aligns programs with NYSSLS standards.
- New York State Government — Certified provider of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits
- New York State Government — Certified provider of Continuing Teacher and Leader Education (CTLE) credits.
- New York State Education Department Government — Chartered and granted Absolute Charter to the Long Island Explorium, recognizing its educational and organizational excellence.
- PlayLab's Partner — Collaborates with PlayLab's through its owner, Erika, who leads the Zen Zone program.
- Staller Center Partner — Board member Kathleen de Riesthal serves on the Advisory Council of the Staller Center, indicating an institutional relationship.
- Stony Brook Childcare Partner — Board member Kathleen de Riesthal serves on the Board of Directors for Stony Brook Childcare, indicating an organizational link.
- Stony Brook Children’s Hospital Partner — Provides medical experts, such as the Chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, to speak at STEM Café events.
- Stony Brook University Partner — Multiple board and staff members are affiliated with Stony Brook University, indicating a professional and academic connection.
- Stony Brook University Partner — Provides expert speakers from its School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and Renaissance School of Medicine for STEM Café events.
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute Partner — Victoria Heffern, a Robotics Engineering student at WPI, facilitates the Junior Roboticists program, indicating a connection between WPI and the Long Island Explorium.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Challenge-Based Learning with "Fail Forward" Philosophymethodology: challenge_based_learningBy presenting open-ended, real-world challenges that encourage iterative attempts and multiple solutions, we develop creativity, resilience, and teamwork, because normalizing failure as part of the learning process builds grit and innovation.
- Constructivist Learning Approachmethodology: constructivist_approachBy engaging learners in hands-on discovery and problem-solving around socially relevant challenges, we build deeper understanding and self-confidence, because learners actively construct knowledge through experience rather than passive reception.
- Evidence-Based, Standards-Aligned Programmingmethodology: evidence_based_educationBy designing programs grounded in research and aligned with state and national standards, we ensure educational effectiveness and accessibility, because curricular coherence with formal education systems increases relevance and adoption in schools and communities.
- Integrated Social-Emotional and STEM Educationmethodology: integrated_social_emotional_and_stem_educationBy combining social-emotional wellness practices with STEM learning, we support holistic development and academic engagement, because emotional readiness and cognitive growth are mutually reinforcing in early learners.
- Play-Based and Inquiry-Driven Learningmethodology: play_to_learnBy using play and inquiry as foundational methods, we cultivate cognitive, social, and emotional skills across age groups, because curiosity-driven exploration mirrors natural learning processes and sustains engagement in STEAM fields.