Encantado Foundation Grant Supports Girl Scouts' Mad Science Extravaganza Open to the Public
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (April 29, 2025) – The Encantado Foundation has awarded a Community Based Grant to support the Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails' popular Mad Science Extravaganza, a family-friendly event open to the public . The extravaganza will take place on Saturday, May 3, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Berna Facio Professional Development Building, located at 3315 Louisiana Blvd. NE in Albuquerque.
Attendees can explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) focused educational activities and have opportunities to meet scientists and engage in hands-on experiments. The event will feature interactive booths hosted by organizations including Explora, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History & Science , STEM Santa Fe, the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA), and more. STEM is a key pillar for Girl Scouting, alongside Outdoors, Entrepreneurship, and Life Skills.
The grant from The Encantado Foundation will enable all attendees to participate in a variety of hands-on activities and workshops designed to explore scientific concepts, encourage critical thinking, and develop inquiry skills through unique STEM-focused booths.
"Our goal is to increase access to STEM learning opportunities through the Community Based Grant funding program," said Louis Jeantete, Executive Director of The Encantado Foundation. "The Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trail’s STEM pillar and its Mad Science Extravaganza, a hands-on STEM education special event for Girl Scouts, their families and the wider community, directly aligns with the goals of the Foundation's community grant program and helps amplify our digital workforce development mission, serving Central and Northern New Mexico."
The public is encouraged to attend this exciting and educational event.
"We are incredibly grateful to The Encantado Foundation for their generous support of our Mad Science Extravaganza," said Allie Burnquist, Director of Girl Experience for Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails. "This grant will allow us to provide an engaging and impactful STEM learning experience for our Girl Scouts and their families, and we are thrilled to open our doors to the entire community to spark an interest in STEM for all ages."
About The Encantado Foundation
The Mission of the Encantado Foundation is to stimulate the development of hire-ready candidates for STEM-related positions, particularly in the areas of cybersecurity, application development and management, and IT operations. It seeks to foster the professional development of individuals who wish to be a part of the digital workforce, while also reshaping the way that workforce resources are acquired by technology-related employers. More information can be found at www.theencantadofoundation.org.
About Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails
Girl Scouts of New Mexico Trails empowers over 5,000 girls and adults across 23 counties in Central and Northern New Mexico, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Gallup, Farmington, Las Vegas, and Clovis. As an independent 501(c)3 organization and a proud member of Girl Scouts of the USA, we build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.
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Note to Editors: Media are invited to cover the Mad Science Extravaganza. Please contact Katrina Montoya at [email protected] or 505-226-1464 for more information or to arrange interviews.
April 29, 2025
