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Hi!
We have a cluster of "Outreach" programs that travel statewide for
(usually) single-day visits.
Science-by-Van and BioExpress are van-based programs, with 20+ traveling
tabletop exhibits. These exhibits are set up in a school's gym,
cafeteria, library, etc by our educators, and volunteers (teachers, PTA
- recruited by the school) run the exhibit experience for the students.
Meanwhile, our educators teach hands-on 45-55 min workshops in the
classrooms all day - typically 10 workshop during a visit.
Science-by-Van also has an all-school assembly program - a demo on
static electricity, with audience participation - that we typically do
in the morning before the workshop begin.
Space Travels is a trailer-based program - more of a mobile museum. It
also goes statewide. One educator stays as a "docent" in the trailer as
students visit it, while the second educator teaches classroom workshops
all day. This program also has a StarDome portable planetarium that we
set up in the gym or other tall space.
SBV, Bio and Space Travels also go to fairs and community events with
the exhibits, and we do some of the workshop activities as tabletop
walk-ups. All three program also offer single workshops, exhibits only,
assembly or Stardome only, etc based on community need.
These programs are primarily fee-based, and we additionally constantly
write grants to deliver programming at a nominal "buy-in" fee to
underserved areas.
Our other type of "Outreach" programs are the school partnership
programs. These programs primarily serve local school systems but are
expanding to serve statewide.
Science Connections and SOL Enrichment (SOL = Va state standards)
programs offer a series of themed workshops - typically 10 - and include
pre-and post testing for content knowledge and attitude towards science,
as well as tracking on state standardized testing. These intensive
programs work with the classroom teacher - our educators partner with
the teacher to team-teach the workshops, and we provide numerous lesson
plans and enrichment activities for classroom use. These programs have
a proven track record of increasing state testing scores.
Teacher Education programs already serve the entire state. We deliver
programs both onsite and statewide; programs range from half-day to
week-long sessions, as well as classes taught in partnership with the
VCU education dept. We partner with the state Dept of Social Services
to deliver the "Mother Goose" literacy, math and science programs for
preschool educators (and sometimes parents, as well.)
These programs are primarily funded by both grants we write and federal
and state funds through the school systems; we are also delivering these
program on a fee basis because there is high demand for them.
We also do more informal activities - if a local group or school asks
for a workshop on a specific topic, we can accommodate even if the
workshop is not part of our typical "menu" of choices!
Summer L.W. Schultz
Education Programs Director
Science Museum of Virginia
2500 West Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 864-1420
[log in to unmask]
Eugene G. Maurakis, Ph.D.
Director of Science Education
Museum Scientist
Science Museum of Virginia
2500 West Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23220
[log in to unmask]
804.864.1413
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