For Virginia Tech, the partnership supports the pathway of university research to public engagement. For the museum, the partnership provides programming, exhibits, expertise, and interns. Dr. Phyllis Newbill, a jointly supported researcher in informal education, facilitates faculty, students, and staff from both organizations to catalyze and sustain this collaboration. She spends one day a week at the museum and the remaining days at Virginia Tech. At Virginia Tech, the partnership is overseen by the Institute for Creativity, Arts and Technology and the College of Science.