(Cambridge, MA; November 18, 2008) Distrigas/GDF SUEZ has announced its support as the lead corporate sponsor of WoW, Wonder on Wednesdays, an out-of-school-time program for urban youth at the Harvard Museum of Natural History. New for 2009, Charlestown youth groups are invited to participate along with those from Distrigas/GDF SUEZ communities of Everett, Chelsea, Malden, and East Boston. In addition, in an expansion of the former ‘Wild Wednesdays’ program, this year for the first time the museum will reach out to a few select community organizations in these neighborhoods to pilot a deeper relationship between the museum and the community group. The WoW Wednesdays pilot program seeks to engage students in a deeper study of museum's collections and bring that understanding back to their community. “WoW is designed to assist local community-based agencies by providing high quality, interactive science activities that complement their ongoing programs,” says Elisabeth Werby, Executive Director of the Museum. “We are thrilled that Distrigas/GDF SUEZ has made it possible for us expand the communities where the museum offers this program free of charge.”
One of a broad range of educational programs at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, WoW Wednesdays offers K-12 students the opportunity to explore the Museum’s galleries and to engage in hands-on examination of fossils, minerals and other specimens from Harvard’s world-renowned collections. Trained docents from the community lead these activities, sharing their knowledge and enthusiasm with the students.
“By supporting the Harvard Museum of Natural History and its unique WoW Wednesdays program, Distrigas/GDF SUEZ is increasing student interest in science and nature,” said Carol Churchill, manager, Communications for Distrigas/GDF SUEZ. “We hope that by building partnerships with schools and after-school organizations, more and more students will not only become more interested in the sciences, but will make it their career-of-choice.”
WoW Wednesdays is offered to community-based after-school groups every Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm during the school year. In addition, youth groups from Distrigas/GDF SUEZ’ communities of Everett, Chelsea, Malden, East Boston and Charlestown may visit the museum free of charge on any weekday afternoon. Groups must reserve in advance.
About Distrigas and GDF SUEZ Energy North America
Distrigas is a part of GDF SUEZ Energy North America, Inc. (GSENA), which manages a range of energy businesses in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG), asset-based trading and origination, and retail energy sales and related services to commercial and industrial customers.
GDF SUEZ Energy North America owns and/or operates a total of 63* power, cogeneration, steam, and chilled-water facilities, including those in construction, representing a capacity of 7,400* MW of electricity generation, 6.0 million pounds per hour of steam, and 41,973 tons per hour of chilled water. GDF SUEZ Energy North America’s wholly owned subsidiary, Distrigas of Massachusetts, owns and operates a liquefied natural gas receiving terminal in Everett, Mass., which began operations in 1971 and currently serves most of the gas utilities in New England and key power producers, meeting approximately 20 percent of New England’s annual gas demand. In addition to the Neptune project, under construction off the coast of Cape Ann, GDF SUEZ Energy North America has another LNG deepwater port under development off the coast of Florida. SUEZ LNG NA and GDF SUEZ Energy North America are part of the international energy group, GDF SUEZ.
(*following the acquisition of FirstLight Power Enterprises, Inc.)
Harvard Museum of Natural History
With a mission to enhance public understanding and appreciation of the natural world and the human place in it, the Harvard Museum of Natural History draws on the University’s collections and research to present a historic and interdisciplinary exploration of science and nature. More than 165,000 visitors annually make it the University’s most-visited museum.
Open daily, the Harvard Museum of Natural History is located at 26 Oxford Street, a short walk from the Harvard Square Red Line T station. The Museum is handicapped accessible. For more information, please call 617.495.3045 or visit the Plan your visit page.
For more information, contact Blue Magruder, Director of Communications, at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, 617.496.0049, or Carol Churchill, Distrigas/GDF SUEZ, 617.526.8359.
The WoW press release is available for download in pdf format.