C Spire gift supports technology-driven STEM learning through Mississippi Children's Museum expansion
Jackson, Miss., July 15, 2026 — The Mississippi Children’s Museum (MCM) has announced a $1 million gift from C Spire to support the museum’s LIFT Capital Campaign, a transformational project that will expand MCM’s facilities and broaden access to high-quality educational experiences for students and educators statewide.
C Spire’s contribution will support the construction of a 20,000-square-foot addition to the museum. The LIFT is a tangible manifestation of MCM’s non-traditional museum programs and events and represents the museum’s deep commitment to innovative solutions and creative environments where the ultimate goal is to Learn, Inspire, Fulfill and Teach.
“The Mississippi Children's Museum is a critical driver of STEM education and technology adoption here in our community and all across the state, which we are proud to support as a longtime partner,” said Hu Meena, chairman of Telapex, Inc., the parent company of C Spire. “C Spire's mission is to enhance lives through technology, and we believe that LIFT City and other programs bring that mission to life by enabling more students and educators to experience the possibilities of high-tech careers.”
C Spire’s donation will support the development of technology-rich learning experiences within LIFT City, an immersive career-exploration experience designed specifically for students in grades 4 through 6. Located at the entrance of the new LIFT addition, LIFT City will introduce learners to high-demand STEM careers through hands-on challenges, collaborative problem-solving and real-world scenarios powered by emerging technologies. Throughout the experience, participants will engage with age-appropriate AI tools that support real-world problem-solving.
LIFT City simulations will incorporate technologies shaping tomorrow’s workforce, including AI-assisted healthcare tools, autonomous communication networks, GPS-guided equipment and smart command center dashboards that help keep communities connected. As students navigate each challenge, they will practice critical executive functioning skills such as planning, prioritization, collaboration and decision-making while discovering how technology enhances the work of professionals across a variety of industries.
Scenarios throughout the exhibit will introduce foundational AI literacy concepts, allowing students to explore how technology can help detect problems, predict outages, manage systems and recommend solutions. Through these experiences, learners will explore how technology is shaping the future of work.
At the conclusion of the experience, participants will gather in a Launch Pad celebration space, where a symbolic rocket launch reinforces the idea that their futures are full of possibility and potential.
LIFT City represents a strategic expansion of the Mississippi Children’s Museum’s educational offerings, designed to serve older elementary students who are ready for more advanced, facilitated learning experiences. Unlike traditional exhibit spaces, this model emphasizes guided engagement, repeat visitation and deeper connections to classroom learning standards.
“We are deeply grateful to C Spire for this transformative $1 million donation. C Spire’s steadfast support of the museum has been essential to our success since 2010,” said Susan Garrard, MCM president and CEO. “This partnership is about more than technology—it is about opportunity. Together, we are equipping Mississippi’s children with the skills, confidence and curiosity they need to thrive in a rapidly changing, technology-driven workforce.”
The development of LIFT City is being led by MCM’s team in collaboration with a Community Advisory Committee composed of industry professionals, educators and workforce development experts. The group, which includes a representative from C Spire, is helping ensure the experience fosters confidence, curiosity and career aspiration at a critical age.
Through this initiative, MCM aims to spark early interest in STEM careers by providing meaningful exposure to professions that are essential to the health, safety and growth of communities. By connecting students with these pathways at a young age, LIFT City has the potential to play an important role in shaping Mississippi’s future workforce.
For more information about the LIFT Capital Campaign or to learn how to support the project, visit https://liftms.org/.
About the Mississippi Children’s Museum
The Mississippi Children’s Museum (MCM) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission of creating unparalleled experiences to inspire excellence and a lifelong joy of learning in all children. MCM’s two award-winning museums in Jackson and Meridian collectively offer over 100,000-square feet of exhibits and educational programming designed around five primary initiatives, Literacy, STEAM, Health and Nutrition, Cultural Arts, and Mississippi Heritage – the keys to helping our children mature into healthy and productive adult learners. MCM offers exceptional resources for children, families, and educators through MCM at Home virtual programming, traveling exhibits and programs, community outreach, Launch into Learning afterschool program, professional development for educators, and Talk from the Start and Reach Out and Read, initiatives for parents and caregivers to promote language development in children from birth to five years old.
MCM is honored to have received an Institute of Museum and Library Services National Medal, the Mississippi Tourism Association Governor’s Award for Travel Attraction of the Year, and USA Today’s ‘10Best Travel Award for Best Children’s Museum. Learn more: www.mschildrensmuseum.org.
About C Spire
C Spire is a privately held advanced technology company that delivers customer-inspired solutions, transforming how people and businesses connect, live, and work. With a proven legacy of innovation, C Spire is elevating connected living by providing customers with fiber-powered smart homes, AI-enhanced experiences and 5G connectivity. C Spire is accelerating tomorrow's business growth with secure fiber networks, AI-driven cloud solutions and intelligent collaboration tools. The company, based in Ridgeland, Miss., is the largest, privately held U.S. wireless carrier, a leading fiber internet provider in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, and an award-winning tech solutions partner for businesses across 49 states. This news release and other announcements are available at https://www.cspire.com/cms/wireless/news-landing/. For more information about C Spire, visit https://www.cspire.com/ or follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cspire/ or X at https://x.com/cspire.
Media Contact:
Courtney Grimes, C Spire; [email protected], 601-746-2737
processing your request...