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COMMUNITY:
Project Descriptions

Supporting Adults as Children's Learning Facilitators: A Museum-University Research Partnership

October 1, 2019 - September 30, 2021 | Exhibitions, Informal/Formal Connections

The Thinkery will develop research-based exhibit materials and community resources to support adults as learning facilitators for their children. The museum will formalize a decade-long research relationship with a nationally recognized expert in child development and learning to establish new infrastructure and capacity to translate best practices from learning sciences into museum operations. The museum will create a 180-foot learning hub that blends elements of an exhibition and research space, allowing the prototyping and evaluation of exhibits by engaging visitors as active participants in research studies. The project team will produce bilingual exhibit prompts cards, signage, and enhancements to educate and inform parents by offering STEAM knowledge, inquiry questions, play-based learning and child development information. Additional project activities will include the development and implementation of related staff trainings and the establishment of an online parent resource gallery.

Funders

IMLS
Funding Program: Museums for America
Award Number: MA-10-19-0438-19
Funding Amount: $244,667

TEAM MEMBERS

  • Matt Stalberger
    Principal Investigator
    Thinkery
  • Discipline: Education and learning science | General STEM
    Audience: Adults | Families | Parents/Caregivers | Museum/ISE Professionals | Learning Researchers
    Environment Type: Exhibitions | Museum and Science Center Exhibits | Informal/Formal Connections | Higher Education Programs

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