Executive Director Rich Winefield was interviewed in the article, and he "hopes kids will come away motivated to choose leisure time physical activities." This exhibition will get the imaginative gears turning for parents and kids alike in an attempt to bring more physical creative play into daily life.
We hosted a Members-Only Hour last Sunday which was attended by 350 people who were excited to ride the "Flycycle", climb the "Canyon" and dance at the "Disco".
I know one thing, kids are amazing! My own attempt to snowboard took a lot of concentration and agility in order to stay on, maneuver and steer all at the same time! I only lasted about 15 seconds before I lost my balance.
Grandparents don't just serve to spoil their grandkids with candy, toys and furniture jumping privileges. They foster the development of children ages 3 - 19 months of age. A kind of nurturing that can result in higher learning scores.
A comprehensive study, started in 2004, was made from 10,000 Australian families. In the report, Housing and Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin says "This new study demonstrates just what a critical role grandparents play in the development of children." Read more about it here.
We see plenty of grandparents at the Museum aiding in the play and education of their grandkids. Around 5% - 7% of visitors are Senior Admissions and this past year over 100 visitors became Grandparents Galore Members.
The Museum has re-opened today with new paint, new pavement and having undergone a deep cleaning of maximum proportions! A big thanks to everyone for your patience as we took these past two weeks for making these and other necessary upgrades.
Today also marks the first day of Free First Wednesdays. Museum admission is free all day, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Come to any or all of these and experience a fun, creative and educational class to share with your child!
Opening Saturday is our new special exhibition Run! Jump! Fly! Adventures in Action™. It's a action-packed, energetic and interactive experience that encourages a creative and physical way to get the blood pumping. On the various areas in the exhibition kids can test their:
While the Museum is getting some downtime, the Discovery Guides took a minute to give us a message about what they wish for the children who visit the Museum.
"I want to give children a joyful experience filled with: knowledge, excitement, gifts, thrills, creativity, newness, laughter, education & growth."
"I'Â’d like to be a facilitator of fun and help broaden their understanding of their physical surroundings, i.e. the Bay Area and marine life."
"I want to give children the chance to explore their surroundings."
"I hope to connect with a child, so when they leave the museum, they feel they have made a new friend. Help a child experience and explore something they havenÂ’'t before."
"Inspire children to an interest in storytelling and creation of tales."
"I would hope that the child would feel like this is their museum. They could feel safe and happy and have fun here every time they visit and have a sense of ownership to this museum."
"Have fun with everything and explore."
"I want to help children feel good about themselves -- build their self esteem."
"I wish that, through our music we share here, children continue to harvest their talent through days to come in their lives."
"A place to feel safe being themselves."
"I would like children to leave the museum with the experience of having been really involved in the process of creating, so that theyÂ’'re excited to go home and have that experience again later."
"A feeling of connection to something, whether that be to a place or another person."
"To learn more about the environment around them; nature, native plants, respect for nature, endangered species.principles of mother earth and how she needs our help. Experience the artistic process, learn discipline and patience in order to achieve their project goals through different mediums and self expression."
The House Education and Labor Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities held an informational hearing on museums and libraries on Thursday, September 11, 2008. Read more about it here. In her opening statement Chairwoman Carolyn McCarthy noted, "Museums engage visitors and ignite the imagination of young and old alike."
The hearing highlighted programs at museums and libraries that address societal issues such as engaging all youth in math and science and attracting diverse populations to library sciences. For additional information about museum advocacy and the hearing, click here. Get involved more actively and become a Museum Advocate by supporting the legislations that favorably impact museum policies.
The Committee on Education and Labor is also heading No Child Left Inside Act which focuses on environmental education to encourage an awareness of energy conservation, wildlife protection and sustainable resources. This resonates with our mission to connect children with the local environment - check out our programs such as Outdoor Learning and our Science by the Bay drop-in series for ways you can put your children on the path to environmental stewardship.
Thanks to the Board of Trustees member Bill Grayson, the Museum has a new friend in James Wilkinson. Jim is currently Chief of Staff to U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Pauslon. He is also an accomplished runner who recruits friends and associates to sponsor his runs to support his favorite causes. His current favorite cause is the Museum, specifically our work with under-served communities.
Every dollar he raises will support bus trips and Museum admission for children from under-served communities to romp, stomp, run and jump their way through a creative and educational experience at the Museum. Our gratitude to Jim and his girlfriend Rachel Wadsworth for helping to fund our Bus Bridge program – together, they’ve already raised more than $20,000.
Though Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday for the working man in 1894, there is never a day off for the parent. Still, there are some fun activities to attend around the Bay Area on Monday, September 1 for Labor Day.
Take your family to any of these events being held on Labor Day:
Sausalito Art Festival - View various kinds of art and drink some wine while the children enjoy juggling and circus performances from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Labor Day BBQ - Oxbow Public Market in Napa hosts a BBQ with tons of food and music all in support of the Napa Valley Opera House from 4:30-6:00 p.m.
Kings Mountain Art Festival - Artist booths, Kiddie Hollow and more can all be found in the forest in Woodside, Ca from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Art & Soul - Oakland's annual festival hosts performances for kids as well as balloon animals, face painting, carnival rides and more from Noon - 6 p.m.
Growing up I was told that education was important. It never occurred to me that some areas were mainly male dominated. I was just as good in math and science as the boys were. I actually preferred it when I was in elementary school.
There wasn't a strong push to teach gender equality when I was younger. Schools seem to be more aware of that now. Perhaps it's the turn of the times or the legislation of the controversial No Child Left Behind law; either way, testing has shown that girls are just as smart as boys in math. The San Francisco Chronicle and The New York Times both touch on the subject in recent articles. They mention a toy made in 1992 as a social marker of the stereotype...the notorious Teen Barbie that proclaimed "Math is Tough." The toy created an uproar with the moms and educators alike.
Here at the Museum, I see children play at our own Lookout Cove. There are trucks and brooms scattered all around the site and girls play dump trucks while boys sweeping away sand looking for buried treasure. In our more scientific Wave Workshop there is an equal interest in the science of currents and wind by both genders.
It's nice to see the stereotypes being dispelled by the children all while they are learning and having fun!
