Grant to Support Circus Arts Conservatory’s Science Program

March 16, 2022 – Sarasota

A unique science curriculum program developed by The Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) has received a $20,000 grant through the Eugene F. and Elizabeth Hull and Bishop-Parker Foundations funds of the Manatee Community Foundation (MCF). 

The CAC science program is currently being provided to 5th grade students at Myakka Elementary, Bayshore Elementary and Manatee County elementary schools. This special curriculum incorporates arts integrated concepts of force and motion (physics) with circus and engineering, and encompasses diversity, equity, inclusion and access, which are priorities of MCF’s mission. 

The integration of this CAC program into a school’s science curriculum is believed to be a factor in increases in student success with the Florida standards in the schools it works with. Over the past eight years of operation, the CAC’s Education Outreach Program – which conducts the science training – has collected data showing that integrating the circus arts in classrooms increases student engagement, motivation and achievement. Retention rates and test scores have gone up as well. 

Additionally, this program has supported community development by providing a classroom education opportunity – similar to those offered in higher-income areas – targeted to low- and moderate-income students in Title I schools. An added benefit is that the program not only provides access to the arts but also demonstrates to students that there are real and meaningful future job opportunities in the arts, sciences and technology.

The MCF grant covers instruction provided during the winter of 2021, and spring and fall of 2022. At the culmination of each science curriculum session, all participating students, teachers and administrators are invited to The CAC’s Sailor Circus Arena in Sarasota to experience “the Marvelous, Miraculous Circus Machine!” a live, full-size and highly engaging and entertaining educational presentation that reinforces what the students have learned in their classrooms.

To learn more about the Circus Arts Science Program, visit circusarts.org.