MAEA Announces Launch of New Science Center Website

Minority Aviation Education Association Science Center launches newly redesigned website for the Science Center featuring The Extended Classroom.

WHEELING, WV (PRWEB) September 14, 2003 - September 12 2003- Minority Aviation Education Association, the preeminent science and math outreach company and the largest minority-owned and operated organization of its type in the country, launched is newly redesigned Science Center website today. The website highlights include program statistics and information about the new Science Center facilities.

Located at www.MAEAScienceCenter.org, the site features an email mailing list, a rotating photo gallery which displays a different picture on every page, a full news section and lots of information on the proposed new building slated to house the Science Center. The site also features an extensive photo gallery of pictures from the current Clay School building.

Darryl Baynes, President of MAEA said that the goal of the new web site was "to share the plans for the science center with individuals who are interested in the education of this nations youth." Furthermore, he added "we plan to use the web site as a portal of information sharing. This information will be about MAEA and its programs, as well as a way to keep in touch with individuals who want updates about progress and news within the organization."

The Center will be hosting over 20 laboratories focusing on subjects including distance learning, FBI forensics, chemistry, water quality, science of music and transportation design engineering. The Center will also feature special use areas which include a science store, a gym area and athletic enrichment programs.

In May 2002, Baynes purchased the 83,000 square-foot building which used to be the Clay School, located in Wheeling. The building will be the future site of the "MAEA Extended Classroom" featuring hands-on interactive exhibits and various educational programs such as a Space Camp.

MAEA has launched a fund-raising campaign to raise the capital necessary to complete the project. The SOS Campaign (The Gift of Science Offers Success Campaign for Institutional Advancement) intends to raise $12.5 million which will go towards lab development, an endowment fund and building the new facility. The new website also features a secure online donation tool to collect gifts from visitors wishing to donate using their credit cards.

Baynes adds "the new web site also allows those who are so inclined to donate to the science center project on line in a secure environment." Of future plans for the site, Baynes also said that they included "showing the progress of the science center project as it proceeds forward. Showing movement is critical to obtaining funding from sources who dont want to be the first people in the pool."

Contributors to the campaign include businesses, community organizations, educational institutions, foundations, government representatives and individuals. Among the contributors are Ohio County Administrator Greg Stewart, Wheeling Jesuit University, the Wheeling Rotary Club, the IBM Foundation, and the City of Wheeling.

The website was redesigned by Sandaleo.com, a technology consulting firm providing custom digital solutions in the form of websites, custom software and marketing services. Sandaleo's mission is to help its clients leverage the internet for business.

ABOUT MAEA

Minority Aviation Education Association Inc., best known as MAEA, is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to introducing minorities and women to science, math and technology. MAEA is the preeminent science and math outreach company and the largest minority-owned and operated organization of its type in the country.

MAEA was founded in 1992 by Darryl Lee Baynes in response to the under-representation of minorities and women in the field of aviation. This focus was later expanded to encompass science, math and technology based careers in response to the same concerns. The organization provides programs annually for more than 100,000 students, teachers and parents around the country.

ABOUT SANDALEO

Sandaleo is a technology consulting firm specializing in providing customized creative digital solutions. Their targeted services are geared towards developing customized technology-based solutions that leverage the internet in innovative ways. We provide technology consulting, graphic design, web and custom programming services and marketing consulting for businesses, government and non-profits.

Our experience and expertise enables us to develop tools and systems that take advantage of multiple perspectives and cross-functional problem solving. Our services include Strategy & Planning, Web & Creative Design, Marketing & Branding and e-Business Systems.

CONTACTS

MAEA
Darryl Lee Baynes, President
MAEA, Inc.
800-701-MAEA (6232)
info@maeasciencecenter.org
http://www.maeasciencecenter.org

Sandaleo
877-363-6230
info@sandaleo.com
http://www.sandaleo.com

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