press release
National Children’s Museum Will Inspire Young Innovators Through Digital Offerings This Summer
For immediate release:
June 16, 2020
As caregivers and educators continue to look for meaningful at-home learning experiences, the Museum launches an online summer camp, a free virtual field trip, and a kid-hosted podcast.
Washington, D.C. – National Children’s Museum, a nationally recognized cultural and educational institution that serves children and families, has developed a number of summer virtual offerings for kids under 12, including an online summer camp, a brand-new podcast, and a free virtual field trip. These initiatives are in addition to the Museum’s ongoing STEAMwork video series, a daily dose of science projects and experiments that premiere on their social platform and website.
“I truly believe one silver lining that will come out of this crisis will be an entire generation of children with an increased interest in science and innovation. Children are home right now thinking about what they can do to solve the world’s problems, and we have a responsibility to provide them with inspiration and guidance,” said Crystal Bowyer, president and CEO of National Children’s Museum. “The National Children’s Museum’s free STEAMwork videos and other virtual programs were designed to support families and educators, while hopefully bringing some joy to kids during this stressful time.”
After 17 years without a permanent home in Washington, DC, National Children’s Museum reopened as an entirely science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) focused institution on February 24, 2020. Eighteen days later, the Museum was forced to temporarily close as a precaution against COVID-19. The Museum continues to meet the need for STEAM-focused learning in the nation’s capital and across the country. More information on these experiences and how to access them is below.
Virtual Summer Camp – Camp Dream Out Loud
Every Tuesday and Thursday in July, the Museum is hosting a virtual STEAM summer camp for dreamers across the country, Camp Dream Out Loud, that focuses on science exploration (Tuesdays) and the engineering design process (Thursdays). Weekly topics include animal biodiversity, the science behind color, movement and machines, and surviving in outer space. Museum educators will hold one-hour, morning workshops and lead rising 1st-2nd graders (9:30 am) and 3rd-5th graders (11:00 am) in a hands-on activity. All innovators will then be invited to an afternoon session from 2:30 – 3:00 pm to share their creations and ask questions. Each camp day costs $30 per child. Registration is a la cart and families can sign up their kids up for one day of camp, one week, or all eight days. More information and registration can be found at nationalchildrensmuseum.org.
STEAM Daydream with National Children’s Museum Podcast
On June 12, the Museum launched a brand-new podcast, STEAM Daydream with National Children’s Museum. Each month, curious kids will interview STEAM innovators from across the country for answers to their questions. In its first episode, the Museum discusses health science and global pandemics, answering questions like: How have we overcome global diseases in the past? How can learning about neuroscience help us reduce anxiety? In the Museum’s July episode, experts will answer kids’ questions about racism and social inequality in America. Families can find STEAM Daydream on Spotify, or wherever they listen to podcasts. Kids from all over the country can share their questions by leaving a message at https://anchor.fm/national-childrens-museum/message.
Head in the Clouds Virtual Field Trip
Adapted from an on-site education program, the Museum developed a 20-minute virtual field trip, Head in the Clouds. Offering a peek of the Museum’s environmental science and climate exhibit Weather Worlds, the field trip prompts budding scientists to observe and identify clouds, and create a weather journal. The field trip is Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Standards aligned, and has been shared with more than 1,300 educators across the country. Caregivers and educators alike can sign up to receive the field trip – free of cost – at https://nationalchildrensmuseum.org/virtual-field-trips/.
STEAMwork Videos
This spring, National Children’s Museum produced more than 75 free STEAM videos that premiered seven days a week between March 17 and May 31 on the Museum’s social platforms. The series, STEAMwork, featured experiments, projects, design + build challenges, story times, and demonstrations, and garnered more than half a million impressions and response videos from across the country. All videos and accompanying resources can be found at nationalchildrensmuseum.org/steamwork. This summer, additional new STEAMwork activities will air live on the Museum’s Instagram on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3pm ET.
Educator + Caregiver Resources
The Museum updates new resources on its website regularly that provide children, parents, educators, and caregivers with at-home learning opportunities. These resources include virtual curriculum, an adapted digital experience to reflect our Climate Action Heroes at climate-heroes.org, as well as anti-racism resources for families.
For more information about National Children’s Museum please visit: https://www.nationalchildrensmuseum.org/
About National Children’s Museum
Reopening in Fall 2019, National Children’s Museum is poised for its greatest chapter yet, just steps from the White House and National Mall at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. With accessible Metro and transportation options, locals and tourists alike will meet at National Children’s Museum for a playful learning experience dedicated to providing interactive science, technology, engineering, arts, and math exhibits and programs. Founded in 1974, the Congressionally-designated Museum has served Washington’s youngest learners for over 45 years.
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