State of The

STATE OF THE ING 2018-19 ANNUAL REPORT ABOUT THE ZING Like a moment of discovery, the power of curiosity, the spark of wonder, and the impact of learning, the Amazeum Zing represents the “a-ha moments” that are central to the mission of the Scott Family Amazeum to provide meaningful, integrated, interactive learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. STATE OF THE ING 2018-2019 CONTENTS 4 10 16 WELCOME TO THE MUSEUM ANYWHERE FINANCIALS AMAZEUM Activations Engage Diverse Communities 6 12 17 ACTIVE & VIBRANT EDUCATION INNOVATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MUSEUM Building a Maker Mindset “Pop-Up” Experiences in the Classroom 8 14 18 ACCESSIBILITY CREATIVE STUDIO DONOR LISTINGS Studio Grow for Makers in Residence Early Learners Bring Diverse Talents AMAZEUM BY Look for this icon to see THE NUMBERS Amazeum facts and figures. thought about finding solutions Dear Amazingly and inspiring the next generation of “solutioneers.” Our teams of program educators, play facilitators, Creative Community, tinkerers, and early learner specialists collaborate to make our experiences relevant, real, and We have literally a million stories to and built in our workshop then representative of the world outside tell after our fourth year of creating woven into the cultural fabric of the museum’s walls. impactful moments, memories, and Northwest Arkansas. meaningful connections throughout Expanding access to deep, Northwest Arkansas and beyond. In With a million stories to share rich learning experiences for April, we welcomed our 1,000,000th from our interactions with, and the youngest members of our guest to the museum, a little more impact on, a curious and creative community is key to building than four years ahead of schedule. community, we chose the stories in curiosity that lasts a lifetime. In this annual report to represent our debuting Studio Grow, our new We’ve seen wonderful “a-ha” mission, values, and commitment exhibit space for learners six and moments of clarity when discovery to making every day amazing for younger and their families, children became understanding. We’ve Northwest Arkansas. purposefully play and are supported connected with schools, nonprofits, in developing an innovative businesses, and community A vibrant museum experience mindset. More importantly, parents leaders to influence and champion is critical to continued success and caregivers come together as innovation in education, inclusion, in developing an understanding a diverse network of support for and infusion of creativity in the of how science, technology, young learners and each other. community. We’ve collected engineering, art, and math integrate Studio Grow is a commitment countless compelling stories from into all aspects of daily life. Creating to continue to find new ways families, adults, and children of all interactive, hands-on experiences to support our families with the ages as they interact with unique, on the museum floor that engender youngest of children, and one we’re STEAM-based experiences at the big, juicy questions about the excited to see evolve as we test museum, or public art pieces in the world around us is key to building ideas over the coming years. community conceived, designed, understanding and influencing The impact of the Amazeum’s mission is seen outside the museum’s walls as educational programming and professional development for educators connect schools and districts in a network that enhances the educational experience for thousands of students each day. The movement to integrate STEAM into curriculum through making and tinkering activities gains momentum as evidence of increased student engagement, problem-solving abilities, and critical skills for future- readiness mounts. What began as a program to Community Leaders at the Rainbow Springs Installation collaborate with diversely creative individuals in the Amazeum shop 4 STATE OF THE ING 2018-2019 “Expanding access to experiment, learn, our next million guests – even the to deep, rich learning and play with ideas sky isn’t the limit on what we can all that ultimately lead to do, if we do it together. experiences for the interactive art installations youngest members of in the community. Stay Creative, Be Curious, and Stay Tuned — our community is key to All that in a year. And these building curiosity that are just a few examples lasts a lifetime. of how the Scott Family ” Amazeum is supporting, developing, and enhancing Sam Dean spilled out into the community a curious, creative community that Executive Director in the form of public art, further is expanding throughout Northwest establishing the museum as a Arkansas and beyond. With a million reservoir of creative ideas. Already stories, memories, and moments a creative studio with expertise in collected, we’re excited to take our building interactive experiences, experiences, diverse partnerships, the Maker in Residence program and active approach to learning and Ken Mantel infused the shop with opportunities envision what we will co-create with President, Board of Directors AMAZEUM BY 268,564 Guests Visited the Amazeum in 2018-19 THE NUMBERS Guests from 48 States, Puerto Rico & the Virgin Islands 17,000 More Guests than in 2017-18 The Amazeum exists to spark and nurture the curious and creative spirit in all of us. This approach helps develop the innovative thinking needed to build strong communities and meet 21st century challenges. Scott Family Amazeum | 5 ACTIVE & VIBRANT MUSEUM Play Facilitators Turn Passion into “Pop-Up” Experiences Passion, curiosity, and a great collaborator lead to some cool ideas. And, at the Amazeum, cool ideas often become “pop-up” experiences that spring up across the museum for guests of all ages to discover. Frequent guests to the Amazeum encounter these new interactive experiences in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) both inside and outside the museum. The pop-up activities show up frequently throughout the day on the museum floor and outside on the Outdoor PlayScape and explore a concept in depth with the support of a Play Facilitator. Unlike the museum’s permanent experiences — for example General Mills Lift, Load and Haul, Nickelodeon PlayLab, and Hershey’s Lab — pop-ups are dreamed-up, designed, and built by members of the Amazeum team. 6 STATE OF THE ING 2018-2019 “It’s very hands-on, and you have to be ready to answer questions, and with this pop-up, there were a lot of questions.” – Michelle Ambrose, Play Facilitator Leading an ice-themed pop-up on a resulted in the Build a Filter pop-up particularly cold day, Play Facilitator experience designed for early and Michelle Ambrose decided to lifelong learners to experiment with learning at different levels. This also introduce ice from the pond in the water purification. provided an enhanced experience Outdoor Playscape. She added for guests who could easily see the naturally forming ice to incorporate Build a Filter explores four progression and outcomes of those some natural elements, like leaves concepts: engineering, aeration, experimenting around them. and dirt, into the experience. coagulation, and sedimentation Michelle, a life-long proponent of providing guests with an “Environmental education is clean water, thought: “What if we opportunity to ask big questions important for us, it’s important for thought of a way to filter water?” and find creative solutions. “They our children. Our children are our can put anything they wanted future. These kids need to have This spark of inspiration led to in it. We actually had activated those seeds planted to better the a collaboration with fellow Play carbon, which is sort of the planet that we have left them,” Facilitator Nikkie Schmeisser that secret ingredient in water filters,” Michelle says. Nikkie says. For the Early [It] makes me feel Childhood pop-up, they Nikkie would love if this pop- “ came up with a strainer that up helped kids find a passion good to know that I can children layer materials in to for STEAM education. “It’s very help a child understand see the effect on the water. important for kids to know that “They made a connection.” STEAM is also something you can that being good at have talent in. Those kids can say, science or engineering Not only did Build a ‘I’m good at this!’ Makes me feel is awesome. Filter have to be kept out good to know that I can help a child ” longer than one hour, but understand that being good at – Nikkie Schmeisser, it also required two play science or engineering is awesome,” Play Facilitator facilitators to support Nikkie says. AMAZEUM BY THE NUMBERS 49 Pop-Up Activities 31 Activities Created by 22 People 11 Zinglits Created by 9 People 2,800 Total Pop-Up Experiences Scott Family Amazeum | 7 ACCESSIBILITY Studio Grow Lets Early Learners Explore STEAM Play Early access to high-quality learning opportunities for young learners is one of the key components of future educational success. When families engage with relevant, robust learning experiences, children begin developing inquiry and critical thinking skills needed in a complex world. Creating greater access for early learners and their families to interactive experiences in STEAM is the rationale for Studio Grow, a new exhibit space designed for children ages six and younger. Studio Grow, sponsored by Pampers, grew from a collaboration between the Amazeum and Pampers that improves access to deep learning experiences by expanding the Amazeum’s hands-on, developmentally appropriate early learner programming. Before Studio Grow, early learner programming occurred weekly. With the addition of Studio Grow, age- appropriate Partners in Play programs are offered every weekday the museum is open. 8 STATE OF THE ING 2018-2019 Early childhood is the “There’s freedom to be serious about parenting and “ in this space that’s teaching, but it’s important to just time when children develop safe,” says Marie.

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