Carnegie Science Center relays positive message to Pittsburgh on billboards

Joanne Klimovich Harrop | Monday, May 4, 2020 4:17 p.m.

Courtesy of the Carnegie Science Center

The Carnegie Science Center has a positive message for the city during this pandemic

The Carnegie Science Center has partnered with Pittsburgh-based Chairman of the Boards and Lamar Advertising to post uplifting messages on billboards.

The companies offered free space to help get the word out from the science center. There were four digital and one static billboard sharing the words “Think like a proton. Stay positive.”

With the museum closed because of the covid-19 pandemic, science center senior director of marketing Connie George said she is grateful for the support.

“We wanted to offer educational resources and send an uplifting message to our community,” George said.

The idea came when the science center was about to change billboards alerting people about the final chance to see the “Mummies of the World: The Exhibition,” which was set to run through April 19.

But after the science center closed on March 14, there was no need to run campaign. Linda Staffilino, owner of Pittsburgh-based Chairman of the Board, decided not to charge the science center for the billboard on Interstate 79 North. When the science center told her about wanting to post a positive message, Staffilino said they could use the billboard.

Tomorrow is #GivingTuesdayNow, a day to stand with your community and the organizations you love. We ask you to join your neighbors in supporting your @CarnegieMembers. When we come together, anything is possible. #TogetherWeHeal https://t.co/YVqYTU8zm7 pic.twitter.com/g6C7E2gHx3

— Carnegie Science Ctr (@CarnegieSciCtr) May 4, 2020

It can stay there for as long as the closure lasts, Staffilino said.

“I am a believer in the science center,” Staffilino said. “It’s the least I could do for them, because I consider them a huge part of the community.”