The Discovery Museums announced today a new program that offers $1 admission to holders of a Massachusetts Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, and up to five additional family members. There is no limit to the number of visits per year. The Museums do not process EBT transactions, so cash or another form of payment must be provided to pay the admission cost.
The Museums offer the new EBT discount as part of its Open Door Connections program to provide free or deeply discounted access to the Museums for those who face financial, developmental, or cultural barriers to visiting. In 2013, the Museums served 40,400 individuals at free or deeply reduced cost in the museums and in classrooms throughout New England, 24% of the almost 172,000 served.
“Providing access for all families to be able to visit the Museums is a critical priority for us, because informal learning is foundational to the development of a child,” said CEO Neil Gordon. “We have been offering a number of ways for families to visit for free or at a discount, but we feel the EBT $1 admission program will offer the most flexible benefit to the families that need it most. We are excited to welcome all families to experience The Discovery Museums’ fun and formative learning environment.”
The Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) administers benefits through EBT cards to help low-income individuals and families meet their basic needs, increase their incomes and improve their quality of life. Serving one out of every seven people in the Commonwealth, DTA is an agency within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and ensures that the emergency and transitional needs of the individual and families of the Commonwealth are met through a combination of state and federally-funded programs.
“The Department helps one in seven residents throughout the Commonwealth meet their most basic needs, including feeding their families. Partnering with educational and cultural institutions is helping to provide low-income families with the opportunity to experience all the programs and treasures the museum has to offer,” said DTA Commissioner Stacey Monahan. “We are excited to partner with The Discovery Museums and look forward to continuing our work with them to promote educational experiences for families and individuals across the Commonwealth.”
Other Open Door Connections programs offering free or reduced price admission to the Museums include free events for families with children with an autism disorder, or who are deaf or hard of hearing; free or discounted pricing for schools visiting the Museums or bringing science workshops into their classrooms; free family memberships offered through organizations including Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE), SMOC Head Start, and Minute Man Arc for Human Services; free admission for active duty military personnel and their families; and free admission on the first Friday night during the school year and every Friday night during summer months.
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About The Discovery Museums
The Discovery Museums are the children’s and science museums of Metrowest Boston. Two great museums—for one admission price—blend the best of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) learning on a beautiful 4.5-acre campus in Acton, MA, about 20 miles west of Boston. The Museums serve families and schools from towns throughout the region, with a commitment to informal education that enhances classroom learning. The hands-on, playful exhibits, developed by professional educators, inspire curiosity, exploration, experimentation and imagination. The Discovery Museums combine manageable scale, convenient location and free parking to provide a fun and engaging experience where children and adults can discover their world together. For more information please visitwww.discoverymuseums.org.
School Year Hours and Admission
Children’s Discovery Museum
Tuesday through Sunday: 9am to 4:30pm
First Friday night of the month (free admission): 4:30pm to 8:30pm
Science Discovery Museum
Open Tuesday through Friday: 1pm to 4:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10am to 4:30pm
First Friday night of the month (free admission): 4:30pm to 8:30pm
Both Museums are closed on Mondays during the school year
