|
|
|
|
Network News
January 2019
|
|
|
The Discovery Network, a statewide program of the Museum of Discovery, was initiated in 2006 with funding from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. The Network's goal is to make hands-on, interactive STEM learning more accessible to the state’s school children and their families. The Network provides high-quality professional development, exhibits, and STEM kits for its members.
|
|
|
ASBA Conference
In December, Discovery Network staff presented at the 2018 Arkansas School Boards Association Conference in Little Rock. There were over 70 attendees in the audience who were introduced to the Network and our programs that benefit schools and school districts across the state. Participants experienced part of our STEM Excellence Pathway program and played with a few of our STEAM kits.
The presentation was very well received with several participants saying it was the most fun they had had all conference! We look forward to working with more school boards throughout the year.
|
|
|
Blue & You Foundation Grant Awarded
|
|
|
|
|
The Discovery Network was awarded a grant for 2019 from the Blue & You Foundation for a Healthier Arkansas. This grant will focus on fostering a better public understanding of brain function, increased awareness of the lifestyle choices that support healthy brain development and promote awareness, acceptance and inclusion of individuals who are neurodiverse.
Project funds will be used to train formal and informal educators around the state on activities focusing on brain health, prototyping interactive components that will be taken to each Tinkerfest event in 2019 to expand the Eat Well, Play Well exhibit, and working with neurodiverse individuals and organizations on developing sensory-friendly areas at our state-wide Tinkerfest events.
Thank you to the Blue & You Foundation for your generous support in ensuring making and tinkering can be accessible to all Arkansans!
|
|
|
UPCOMING WORKSHOP - Makey Makey
|
|
|
Date: February 28, 2019
Time: 9:00-3:30 p.m.
Location: Museum of Discovery
500 President Clinton Ave, Suite 150
Little Rock, AR 72201
Delve into the exciting world of coding, engineering and invention literacy with the Makey Makey! Explore all of the fun and engaging ways you can investigate conductivity with Scratch coding using this dynamic tool. BYOL (Bring Your Own Laptop)
Max participants: 20
Registration:
$50.00/member*
$100/non-member*
*Registration includes a Makey Makey you can take home!
Registration for Discovery Network members is now open! Registration for non-members will open Friday, January 11th. Email ghiggs@museumofdiscovery.org for more information.
|
|
|
2019 Professional Development Workshops
|
|
|
|
The Discovery Network will be hosting a number of workshops in 2019!
- Making with Wind and Solar Power - Asia Ward, REcharge Labs - POSTPONED
- Makey Makey Fun Workshop - Brittney Kugler, Discovery Network
- Cardboard Creations - Ben Watson, Museum of Discovery
- Art & Technology with Making - Rebecca Grabman, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
- CREATE Framework & Design Thinking - Lisa Regalla, Bay Area Discovery Museum
- Tape Art - Carrie Beach, Washington Junior High School
- Scratch Boot Camp - Brittney Kugler, Discovery Network
- Maker Fashion - Brittney Kugler, Margaret Rowan & Ben Watson, Museum of Discovery
- Needle & Wet Felting - Brittney Kugler & Pody Gay, Discovery Network
- and more!
To download a PDF of the complete list, click here. Stay tuned for registration links and prices.
To find out more about how to become a member of the Discovery Network, email Ginsie Higgs at ghiggs@museumofdiscovery.org!
|
|
|
|
The Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway provides schools with a process and tools for assessing their current STEM programming, while also creating a practical plan for improvement. Participants attend three one-day workshops, one in the fall and two in the spring, and are able to share ideas with other participating schools.
Here's what one participant had to say about their experience:
“The Discovery Network and STEM Pathway has given our school STEM leaders the opportunity to stop and focus our attention on evaluation, setting goals and planning future STEM integration. Through this process we have been able to glean ideas from other schools and form strong community partnerships to foster professional development opportunities for our staff.”
-Pam Dial, Principal McDermott Elementary, LRSD
The Network is currently enrolling schools for the 2019-2020 academic year. To learn more about this professional development opportunity for schools, check out our video or contact Ginsie Higgs at ghiggs@museumofdiscovery.org. |
|
|
|
Mobile Museum for Sale - REDUCED PRICE*
|
|
|
We're selling the Race for Planet X mobile science museum! RPX has had a good run at delivering hands-on STEM content to Arkansans for 10 years. While we'll miss seeing it roll down the state's two-lane highways, it's time to find it a new home.
Please feel free to spread the word and direct anyone interested to Ginsie Higgs. More information can be found here. *Reduced price of $100,000 or best offer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The mission of the Museum of Discovery is to ignite and fuel a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts and math through dynamic, interactive experiences.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
