A One-of-a-Kind Gathering Launched National Children’s Museum’s AI Literacy Initiative

Over 80 attendees from 69 organizations take part in cross-sector collaboration

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 7, 2025) –National Children’s Museum kicked off its bold new AI Literacy initiative on September 30, bringing together more than 80 leaders from 69 organizations nationwide for cross-sector collaboration focused on empowering children and families in the age of artificial intelligence. “There is a desperate need to make sure our children understand AI. It’s part of their life in so many different ways… It is essential that our kids not only have the ability to use it wisely, but also the ability to be skeptical about it where appropriate,” said Congressman Don Beyer (VA-8), Vice Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus, who opened the event and set a tone of urgency and hope for young learners’ AI education.

An Inspiring Panel
A panel of national leaders in technology and education, including Dr. Lynne Parker (Former Principal Deputy Director, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy), Jennie Magiera (Global Head of Education Impact at Google), and Erin Mote (Founder and CEO of InnovateEDU), joined Kiryn Hoffman, Museum President & CEO, to explore opportunities and challenges in building AI literacy for families and educators.

“AI literacy is obviously important not only for our children but also for parents and for teachers,” reflected Dr. Parker. “It’s exciting to see these activities here at National Children’s Museum that help us all work together to find ways that we can accomplish these objectives. It’s going to be so important for the jobs of the future.”

Erin Mote emphasized, “One of the most critical things we need to do in developing resources is to demystify the foundational concepts of AI and really create space for a conversation where parents can take a leadership role when having these conversations with their young person, with their community, or on the soccer field with other parents.”

A Uniquely Collaborative Gathering
The event welcomed over 80 attendees representing 69 organizations from around the country, spanning technology, museum, and educational industries. With insights from the panel and prompts designed by the Museum’s Education + Exhibits team as inspiration, attendees broke into small groups for a collaborative workshop session. They combined their unique expertise and experiences to generate ideas for hands-on, screen-free AI literacy exhibits for young learners and families.

“People from technology, from education, from philanthropy, and civic leaders, to come together and tackle some of these issues that are so relevant and so pressing for our times, it’s exactly what this Museum can do to further the field,” said Liz Snowdon Bonner, member of National Children’s Museum’s Board of Trustees. “I hope we can continue bringing together such an amazing group of people who bring all kinds of diverse perspectives and backgrounds."

A Spark for Future Initiatives: Laying the Groundwork for National Impact
This event marks the beginning of National Children’s Museum’s initiative to develop and distribute AI literacy exhibit experiences to children’s museums and science centers across the country.

“One of the grand challenges of our time is how to ensure kids have access to a quality education where they can participate in the new frontier of scientific inquiry, discovery, and innovation,” said Dr. James L. Moore III, Assistant Director of the Directorate for STEM Education at US National Science Foundation, whose closing remarks outlined the importance of providing such educational resources. “How do we help all Americans reach optimal success? AI gives us that potential. It’s not going to solve all of our problems, but it could be a tool to address some of the grand challenges in education.”

National Children’s Museum now transitions into the next phase of creating accessible, equitable, and engaging experiences that demystify AI. Key themes from the September 30 event will serve as a framework and focus for future efforts, including:

• Foundation in Essential Skills: Building on core STEM concepts that naturally support an early understanding of technology and its applications.
• Commitment to Inclusion and Equity: Ensuring opportunities and resources are accessible to all learners, regardless of background or circumstance.
• Focus on Critical Thinking and Inquiry: Encouraging curiosity, skepticism, and thoughtful engagement with technology, emphasizing learning through exploration, play, and reflection.
• Support for Lifelong and Family Learning: Fostering discovery and dialogue across generations, with families learning and growing together in an evolving digital world.

National Children’s Museum’s President’s Circle
The event launched the Museum’s new President’s Circle, a community of leaders and advocates dedicated to advancing impactful early education. For an annual membership of $1,000, President Circle members gain exclusive access to a series of expert-led roundtables, lectures, and panels, providing unparalleled opportunities to drive national dialogue about play-based learning and the future of education. Learn more about the President's Circle and upcoming events at https://nationalchildrensmuseum.org/support/presidents-circle.

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About National Children’s Museum

National Children’s Museum is a dynamic institution in the heart of Washington, D.C., that combines learning elements found in a science center with children’s museum experiences. Through play-based science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) exhibits and programs, the Museum sparks curiosity and ignites creativity for children under the age of twelve and their families. Founded in 1974, the Museum has served Washingtonians for five decades, and since reopening its new location in September 2021, the Museum has established itself as an international destination for play, welcoming more than 225,000 visitors each year across all eight wards, 50 states, and more than 75 countries. Learn more about how to visit the Museum and engage with virtual STEAM resources at nationalchildrensmuseum.org.