press release
Elise Lemle Named Director of Exhibits and Education for the National Children’s Museum
For immediate release:
March 8, 2018
– Lemle draws on her extensive STEAM background to provide unique perspective to National Children’s Museum exhibits –
Washington, DC – The National Children’s Museum (NCM), a nationally recognized cultural and educational institution that serves children and their families, is pleased to announce the appointment of Elise Lemle as Director of Exhibits and Education. In this role, Lemle will be responsible for the design and implementation of the Museum’s exhibits, as well as educational content and outreach programming, which will have a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM).
“Elise’s unique experience as an educator and designer has already made her a key addition to the NCM leadership team, and we are delighted to welcome her as the Director of Exhibits and Education,” said Crystal Bowyer, president and CEO of the National Children’s Museum. “Her professional background confirms our commitment to STEAM education, and we are confident that she will bring an innovative perspective to the Museum’s exhibits and educational programming.”
Lemle brings expertise developing transformative learning experiences for young audiences to NCM. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, Lemle further honed her approach to STEAM education as Director of Special Projects at Two Bit Circus, a high-tech circus and creative studio in Los Angeles. Managing special projects that ranged from product development to educational programming, Lemle was instrumental in the creation of STEAM Carnival, the Circus’ hallmark event which aims to inspire the next generation of inventors through hands-on learning and play.
In a prior role as Director of Product Development at EVERFI, a leading technology education company, Lemle translated this innovative approach to playful learning to the digital space, chartering the development of digital learning products, including an award-winning science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career exploration course.
“NCM’s groundbreaking approach to interactive learning is poised to reshape the way we think about experiences for children,” said Lemle. “When combined in STEAM, science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics unite to encourage young minds to reach beyond their everyday experiences and into the possibilities of the future. Through our exhibits and educational programming, I’m thrilled to play such an integral role in sparking curiosity, joy and wonder for our local and tourist communities.”
A Washington, D.C. native, Lemle received her Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University in theater design and earned a Master’s of Education from Harvard University in arts integration. She has been published in Claremont College’s STEAM Journal, Harvard University’s Continuing the Conversation for arts in education and with Springer International Publishing.
About National Children’s Museum
Founded as the Capital Children’s Museum in 1974, the Museum served kids and families in the Washington region for thirty years in Northeast Washington, D.C. The Museum was renamed in 2003 when the U.S. Congress designated it the National Children’s Museum. For several years, NCM operated as a museum without walls by serving the region through traveling exhibitions, partnerships with other nonprofits, as well as community and school outreach programs. From 2012-2015, a small museum space was opened to the public at National Harbor, but closed in preparation for NCM’s next chapter in downtown D.C. Today, the National Children’s Museum is poised for its greatest chapter yet, as it prepares to reopen on the National Mall in late 2018.
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