EdVenture Children’s Museum Selected for STEM Education Partnership with Cummins Inc.

EdVenture Children’s Museum in Columbia, South Carolina, announced its selection as one of 20 children's museums to participate in a STEM education initiative funded by Cummins Inc. and administered by the Association of Children's Museums (ACM).

Through this partnership, EdVenture will receive $10,000 to develop and deliver innovative science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programming (STEM) designed to inspire the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators in South Carolina. 

Officials said this initiative supports Cummins READY, the company's global education strategy to advance high-quality, equitable STEM education for everyone — from early childhood through adulthood.

Cummins READY has a goal to help at least one million learners and workers get on a pathway to education and career success by 2030. 

"Research shows that 92 percent of boys and 97 percent of girls will lose interest in STEM if they are not immersed in these subjects before fifth grade," said Danette Howard, Ph.D., Global Director of Education and Corporate Responsibility at Cummins Inc. "By partnering with children's museums—trusted community resources where families already gather—we can reach children during the critical early years when STEM attitudes are formed and help ensure that every child, regardless of their background, can see themselves in STEM careers." 

Started in 1962, the Association of Children's Museums (ACM) is a nonprofit membership organization working with and on behalf of children's museums worldwide.

It has more than 500 members in 50 states and 13 countries reaching more than 35,000 children's museum professionals who collectively serve over 40 million visitors annually.

Cummins Inc.’s five business segments — Engine, Components, Distribution, Power Systems and Accelera by Cummins — offer a broad portfolio, including advanced diesel, alternative fuel, electric and hybrid powertrains; integrated power generation systems; critical components such as aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, controls, transmissions, axles and brakes; and zero-emissions technologies like battery and electric powertrain systems and electrolyzers.

Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, Cummins employs approximately 70,000 people worldwide and earned $3.9 billion on $34.1 billion in sales in 2024.

Visitors interested in participating in EdVenture’s STEM programming can visit its website at EdVenture.org, 803.779.3100, or email info@EdVenture.org.