The Science Museum of Minnesota’s IDEAL Center helps professionals who are serious about equity and inclusion see their world differently and have the abilities, strategies, and will to make it more just and open.
Our scientific mindset and research-proven teaching and facilitation practices help participants become agents of change: transforming people, relationships, organizations, and our world.
Now accepting applications for the 2025-26 PAGE K-12 Leadership program. Learn more and apply here.
The sixth cohort of the iPAGE Leadership Program is currently underway. Learn more about iPAGE here.
Research Informed & Proven
As the only diversity and equity professional development organization born from a science learning institution, our work is grounded in research on equity, teaching and learning, complex systems, organizational change, and more.
Transformative
Equity is a practice, a way of living and working, not a specific destination to be reached. We help you have the courage to envision a positive future for yourself/organization/community and to see that equity and inclusion are essential to this vision.
Guided & Supportive
Our expert facilitators actively create powerful and supportive learning environments because becoming an effective agent of change is hard work. You'll leave with practical tools and strategies to create sustainable and just change for your organization.
Our ability to work with groups of all kinds comes from our extensive experience as adult educators. Whatever your equity goals are, we are ready to partner with you.
Cohort-Based Programs
PAGE program
The PAGE program, currently accepting applications for its fifteenth cohort, is dedicated to bringing about positive change in Districts. PAGE has received multiple National Science Foundation (NSF) and Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant awards, is supported by Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment, and has extensive research evidencing its efficacy. Now accepting applications for the 2025-2026 Foundations Program.
iPAGE program
The iPAGE program, focused on bringing positive change to Informal STEM Institutions, is currently in its sixth cohort. This NSF award-supported program has extensive evaluation and research support. Learn more here.
Customized Experiences
The IDEAL Center team has extensive expertise in facilitating prosocial professional development and adult education. We’ve facilitated learning and skill-building programs with nonprofits, government, corporations, higher education institutions, K-12 schools, science professionals, and more. We’ve developed programs for clients that include half-day experiences, three-day workshops, and seven-day sustained institutes, facilitating learning relationships that have lasted years. Get in touch here to discuss ways we can work with you.
RACE: Are We So Different?
The IDEAL Center facilitates groups visiting, learning from, and having impactful discussions based on the RACE: Are We So Different? exhibition — the Science Museum of Minnesota’s permanent exhibition on learning about the history of systemic racial injustice and the myths that continue to uphold racism. Get in touch here to learn more and book a program.