All STEAM, Virtual and In-Person School Trips Free in Pilot Project
Begins Tuesday, March 1, thru Friday, October 7, 2022
Kitchener ON | February 15, 2022 – To make THEMUSEUM’s education programming accessible for all, the organization will now offer free education programming for all students for a five-month pilot project. From March 1, 2022, thru Friday, October 7, 2022, all STEAM programming in the Underground Studio MakerSpace, all virtual programs and all in-person school visits will be free of charge for those booking in advance. Teachers are always admitted free to attend regular programing at THEMUSEUM.
Loretta Notten, Director of Education at Waterloo Catholic District School Board said, “Waterloo Catholic staff and students have always enjoyed the remarkable programming available at THEMUSEUM. This announcement is most welcome news, as it will ensure a broader and sustained base of students who can engage with the rich exhibits found at THEMUSEUM. As we come through this time of pandemic and beyond, this innovative collaboration will strengthen the experiential programming available to our schools, which will be more important than ever. We sincerely applaud and appreciate this announcement”.
“During COVID we continued to prosper by creatively trying new strategies even while we were closed,” said David Marskell, CEO of THEMUSEUM. “We went off-site with the successful Dinosaur Drive-Thru in collaboration with Bingemans & Canada’s Dinosaur Park, we partnered with D2L to offer online curriculum programs using their Brightspace platform and we have emerged as a stronger organization. This pilot project continues that creativity allowing us to explore new models.”
A grant from the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation has allowed THEMUSEUM to create this pilot project making their education programs accessible for all on a first-come basis.
“As a Board Member of THEMUSEUM and Principal with the Waterloo Region District School Board, I am proud of the organization for taking this strategic step in providing our schools equitable access to learning by removing the barrier of cost. THEMUSEUM sets the standard of innovation for STEAM content delivery and continues to centre student learning regardless of access of opportunity and social location,” said V. Tiwari.
“As our business model evolves, we hope the corporate community will see the value of what we offer and support us in funding school trips, bus rentals and generally reduced admission in the future. It all starts here as students are encouraged to learn with our hands-on STEAM programming” said Marskell. “Many will be awed, inspired and enlightened and take related courses in our post-secondary schools, stay in our community as skilled labour, and even create new companies.”
Before the pandemic THEMUSEUM hosted ten thousand students annually. Currently, it offers 25 curriculum-based programs from JK to 12. With three teachers on staff, it also develops exhibition-specific programs and is currently developing additional climate-related, bilingual, and STEAM programs.
These programs are guided by a curriculum advisory committee of seven education professionals and THEMUSEUM’s Manager of Education.
To book STEAM, virtual or in-person visits teachers should visit THEMUSUEM online at THEMUSEUM.ca/educators-2/education-programs/ or e-mail Education@THEMUSEUM.ca to inquire about program availability.
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For additional information, please contact:
David Marskell – CEO, THEMUSEUM