PSI Gives Community Outreach Team volunteered at the COSI Science Festival downtown Columbus May 4th– 7th, which featured an exciting variety of events at multiple locations the community.
“You’ve heard of an art festival, a wine festival, probably even the macaroni and cheese festival – but this is the first science festival!” exclaimed Jessica Body, COSI Director of Major Gifts. “The first three days, partners of all kinds, invited adults and youth alike to learn how fascinating STEM topics, organizations, and careers can be.”
Over 100 partners from school clubs to NASA made an appearance at the Big Science Celebration on the final day of the festival to showcase how science shows up in almost everything we do.
The PSI volunteer team supported the ZeroWaste initiative, which is the diversion of 90% of discarded material from the landfill through reuse, recycling, and composting. PSI helped COSI to serve tens of thousands of people in a way that was cognizant of impact and authentic to the organization’s values.
Service-Oriented Leadership
“PSI comes to COSI without ego, and with service-oriented leadership,” said Body. “PSI volunteers get done what needs to get done – even when it’s not an action that provides great public recognition or is a glamorous job!”
The goals of the event were to increase exposure and access to science and teach participants of all ages that science is fun and important in our daily lives. In conjunction with local governments, schools, private and nonprofit organizations around the world, attendees were able to experience awe and contribute to research.
“The Columbus Science Festival was meant to expose Central Ohio to how STEM is part of everyone’s everyday lives and activities,” commented Monty Ragland, PSI President and COO. “As an organization whose focus is delivering technology subject matter expertise, our partnership with COSI and it’s STEM workforce development efforts is a perfect match.”
A Lasting Partnership
PSI helped the COSI team build some of their first Learning Lunchboxes when the organization closed due to the pandemic. The Learning Lunchboxes are one of COSI’s most critical and impactful ways to reach students beyond the building.
“The impact and engagement of these STEM events will be amplified by the distribution of COSI Learning Lunchbox education kits,” said Boyd.
Learning Lunchboxes are interactive science kits filled with all supplies needed for five fun STEM activities and additional exciting learning resources. Fun for the whole family and perfect for school-age learners, all Learning Lunchbox content is aligned with national learning guidelines and standards.
About PSI Gives
PSI proudly encourages our full-time team members and contract IT talent to support our community in volunteer activities throughout the year.
“We encourage all of our team members to join in community outreach efforts,” stated Monica Dominic, PSI Vice President of Client Success. “Traditionally, PSI closes the office for a half day to allow team members to participate on service days.”
In order to ensure everyone has the ability to participate without conflicting with client needs, PSI also schedules weekend volunteer events.
“Our contractors started expressing interest in supporting the community, so we made it happen,” said Dominic. “We arranged a Saturday service day and allowed any of our contractors to come support. It was a hit and will be done again. Be on the lookout for the next weekend volunteer opportunity and make sure to express your interest!”
Community Responsibility is a continuing commitment by PSI to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of our workforce and their families as well as of our local community and society at large through the “PSI Gives” Program.