News

Seattle, WA – April 5, 2023

Washington Research Foundation (WRF) has announced a $100,000 grant to Pacific Science Center (PacSci) in honor of former WRF board member Adriane Brown, who has retired from her position on the Foundation’s board after six years of service. The gift will support Pacific Science Center’s outreach programming that provides interactive science education to students in schools, homes, libraries and community centers across the state of Washington, with a focus on low-income communities.

Brown is a managing partner at Flying Fish Partners and an emeritus board member at Pacific Science Center. She previously served as president and CEO of Honeywell Transportation Systems, and as president and COO of Intellectual Ventures. In addition to her role on the WRF board, Brown chaired WRF’s startup (investments) committee for five years.

“I could not be prouder to be associated with two fantastic organizations: WRF and PacSci. This grant highlights my passion for both,” said Brown. “PacSci’s impact through events and programming at the Center, virtually, or at schools across the state brings science to life and instills curiosity in the growing minds of the future. And WRF supports research and scholarship in Washington state, with a focus on life sciences, always with a goal to positively impact society.”

“On behalf of the staff and board members at WRF, we thank Adriane for her years of service, insight and expertise. She helped shape the next generation of innovation across the state and we look forward to seeing her continue her journey,” said WRF board chair Brooks Simpson.

“Pacific Science Center is deeply grateful to WRF for this very generous gift,” said Pacific Science Center president and CEO Will Daugherty. “Adriane has had such a tremendous impact at PacSci and we are grateful for her support over the years.”

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About Pacific Science Center

Pacific Science Center (PacSci) is an independent, not-for-profit institution in Seattle, Washington and has been a gateway to access science education and innovation for over 60 years. The institution’s mission is to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us.

Pacific Science Center innovated during the pandemic to expand its digital and virtual programming and increase its reach across Washington, employing technology to bring experiential STEM education directly to homes and classrooms. In 2021-2022, its interactive online programs reached nearly half a million people and Virtual Field Trips reached more than 28,000 students across the state.

PacSci imagines a future in which it serves every grade in every preK-8 Title I school in the state with programming in schools, digital and virtual programming, and in-person field trips–all at no cost to schools, educators, or families.