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Engaging Children in the Excitement and Rewards of STEAM Few children have the opportunity to experience the processes of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) in a hands-on way that emphasizes open-ended discovery and experimentation. They may not have access to tools or technology, or have the support of adults or the formal education environment. Through recent initiatives, and our long history as an institution that has exposed children to science, we know children can get excited about STEAM subjects when given the opportunity. Since 2014, Boston Children’s Museum has launched several initiatives to deliver hands-on STEAM learning and discovery experiences for our visitors. These include a Maker Workshop Pilot, organizing and hosting three Boston Mini Maker Faire events, partnering with Einstein’s Workshop to offer paid hands-on STEAM work- shops, launching our Tech Kitchen program that provides interaction with local tech innovators and their products, and creating a new STEAM workshop space where we conduct hands-on, minds-on programming. These initiatives complement existing Museum exhibits in the sciences such as Investigate, Bubbles, and Raceways. Science Technology STEAM subject matter infused with an informal, hands-on, playful approach, Engineering emphasizing creativity and experimenting, makes these Art/Design subjects accessible and fun. Math 1 STEAM Discovery Continuum Boston Children’s Museum’s vision for STEAM learning is a developmental continuum that spans ages, tools, challenges, and skills. Core to the experience is a multisensory environment —where the child leads but is supported by parents, caregivers, and Museum staff—that offers different paths of open-ended discovery. The opportunities for creative expression are facil- Younger Age Older itated using both low-tech and high-tech tools to complete projects or challenges, but the central driver of the vision is the importance of rich interactions with other children, parents, Simple Tools Complex Museum staff, and academic and corporate experts to create a collaborative, creative STEAM learning environment. The goal is a series of progressive encounters with STEAM, Directed Challenges Open-ended building excitement and interest, and creating a pipeline to future education and careers in the sciences. Novice Skills Sophisticated EarlyE l childhood hildh d explorations l i Involved adults build Access to new technologies Creating things introduces Multidisciplinary Rich interactions with Sharing results and Inspired kids become engage all the senses confident children willing helps kids stay apace with new tools and uses all the opportunities foster mentors cultivate ideas starts a new cycle STEAM problem solvers, and stimulate cognitive to take on challenges. their peers. senses for problem solving. creative expression and communication and of ideation and invention. and they pursue STEAM development. new perspectives. collaboration. education and careers. 2 3 Delivering Innovative STEAM Experiences Museum exhibits introduce children to STEAM concepts such as gravity, motion, and math Exhibits from the earliest ages in hands-on, fun ways. Staff-led programs cover a broad range of Boston Children’s Museum was founded in 1913 by STEAM topics on a daily basis, engaging young the Science Teachers Foundation. Since then, the Programs people in the wonders of science. Museum has been helping children develop the habits of mind associated with critical thinking Special events bring together young learners and problem solving. The current breadth of the Special Events around STEAM programs including Google Museum’s STEAM offerings is significant. Taking Geek Street and Boston Mini Maker Faire. this current platform of exhibits, programs, The Museum disseminates STEAM learning special events, STEAM education content, and External STEAM Education materials to schools, libraries, and museums online digital resources to the next level will through programs such as Race to the Top. allow the Museum to engage older children and their families more deeply in STEAM. The Museum extends the reach of its content Websites/Digital through websites including Beyond the Chalkboard, My Sky, and School Readiness. Investigate, Bubbles, PlaySpace, Construction Zone, Johnny’s Workbench, Raceways, My Sky, and Countdown to Kindergarten. Science Saturday, Critter Day, WGBH NOVA Making Stuff, Chemistry Day, Kitchen Science, Sense of Smell Day, Environment, and Einstein’s Workshop. Boston Mini Maker Faire, Google Geek Street, Engineering Week, Macrophotography Workshop, and National Grid Tinker Tent. Race to the Top and National Grid STEM Guide and Kit. MySkyExhibit.org, BeyondtheChalkboard.org, and School Readiness. 4 5 STEAM 2.0 Boston Children’s Museum’s STEAM 2.0 initiative extends the Museum’s current STEAM platform by expanding the space, technology, and staff dedicated to STEAM. The most critical component of the initiative has been the investment in dedicated staff, including a new STEAM director. Key elements of the initiative are foreseen to be a dedicated STEAM studio; new technology and materials; special events, including an annual Boston Maker Faire; instructor-led, computer-based workshops on topics such as stop-motion animation and Lego robotics; instructor-supported programming in cross-discipline subject matter such as music, art, design, photography, chemistry, and robotics; and Tech Kitchen, a prototype studio for local technology companies to show new products, receive feedback, and share expertise with visitors. A 3,800-square-foot hands-on immersive STEAM Studio maker space with tools, digital technology, and dedicated staff. Boston Mini Maker Faire, hosted and organized Maker Faire by Boston Children’s Museum and sponsored by major technology organizations. A prototype studio for local technology companies Tech Kitchen to show new products, receive feedback, and share expertise with visitors. Instructor-led workshops that offer young learners Hands-on Workshops unique opportunities to use software, 3-D printers, and Legos to explore engineering concepts. Everyday opportunities to explore and engage Open-ended Exploration in instructor-supported STEAM projects. Special events, through partnerships with leaders Special Events in the industry, that offer visitors the chance to see new technology and meet the people behind it. STEAM mentors who love science, learning, Staff Leadership sharing their knowledge, and finding new ways to make science fun! 8 6 7 Year in Review Stories come alive Children bring their through music, capes and costumes Psychologist and storytelling, improv, and meet their wordplay, and Sponsored and researcher Dr. Kathy superheroes on costumed characters presented by Hirsh-Pasek speaks Superhero Weekend! in a celebration of Citizens Bank, on “Becoming Bril- children’s literacy Money Matters is a liant: Reimagining during April school 7,401 attend the festival of playful Education for vacation week. Free Fun Fridays learning experiences Our Time.” program sponsored that promote finan- by the Highland cial literacy and Street Foundation intergenerational conversations about With support from earning, spending, National Grid, the saving, and sharing Wish You Were Museum develops money. Here: Greetings the STEM-focused from the Galápagos, Family Tinker Kit an immersive video 1,968 parents and program, which 400 supporters Grammy-winning The Museum’s installation by Allison children attend trains education, gather at the 2,392 attend 19 singer-songwriter Boston Marathon Maria Rodriguez, the Countdown museum, and library Museum for the performances of Shawn Colvin team of Tami explores climate Wizards, wands, and to Kindergarten professionals. annual Wonder Ball Seussical the musical performs songs Vazzana, Keeana change, species potions help cele- celebration for Nearly 700 kits are fundraiser and raise presented exclusively from her new album 300 guests attend Saxon, and Julian The second annual extinction, and the brate our favorite children entering distributed, reaching 4,592 people attend almost $600,000 for the Museum by The Starlighter the second annual DeOliveira raise over Star Wars weekend interconnectivity of wizard’s birthday on kindergarten in 23,707 children in five Grown-Ups to support Museum Wheelock Family in the Museum’s children’s gala, the $41,145 to support entertains all Jedi all existence on our Wizarding Weekend! Boston. Massachusetts. Museum nights. programs. Theatre. KidStage Theater. Silly Soirée. the Museum. warriors. planet Earth. Supported by National Grid, the JULY 1, 2017 JULY Museum launches JUNE 30, 2018 its new Tech Kitchen program that 3,863 visitors features a wide participate in the range of hands-on Boston Baroque Museum’s year- STEAM activities opens its new round programs Classics for Kids The Museum 2,170 people and The Museum part- The Museum The Gallery exhibit including staff-led The Museum 70 members of the Outside In/Inside Jeri Robinson, vice for children with music series at the hosts the first-ever over 100 maker ners with Science opens its annual Lineplay: Taut/ workshops and launches the Boston Youth Out, a Gallery exhibit president of early special or medical Museum. Boston Youth Dance exhibitors attend City at Union Station Snowmazing! Slack, created by interaction with local redesigned Boston Symphony Orchestra created by Meaghan childhood initiatives, needs. Festival. More thantha the second Boston in Kansas City, Winter celebration, artist and educator tech innovators.