Transformation in Motion: Elevating Educational Programming

A space with a new face

As part of our transformation, the Museum’s Education Wing will undergo a complete aesthetic and technological upgrade. Designed to be flexible, the space will accommodate varying class sizes and feature community gathering areas. The remodeled classrooms will include exhibit spaces, which will give educators access to artifacts and specimens that enhance the subject matter.

In addition to the modernized setting, students and educators can expect a new approach to classroom learning. 

“We see classroom spaces in the Education Wing as a central location for drilling deeper into what students will experience with our exhibits,” says Renata Brown, the Museum’s Director of School & Family Learning. “Students will encounter concepts in the Museum, and then we’ll work on related activities in the classroom areas.” 

A fresh take on programming

According to Brown, class offerings will be less about staying in the classroom and more about exploring and engaging with the exhibits in the new galleries. 

“We have an exciting opportunity to transform the Museum and our educational programs at the same time,” she says. “The new Museum experience will allow us to connect programming with exhibits and specimens in new and exciting ways.” 

How will these changes affect educators and students? Brown anticipates that visits to the Museum will be more impactful than ever before. 

“We’re giving students the ability to choose what interests them as they explore the Museum,” she says. “In doing so, we’re integrating choice opportunities—find what excites you and learn more about it. Learning in this way is more ‘sticky,’ so students walk away retaining more.”

Exhibits and specimens will play a similarly important role in the Museum’s virtual programming. As educators share our collections with students around the world, two new distance-learning studios on the main floor of the Museum will offer visitors a window into the experience. 

Our use of these new facilities will help us strengthen our partnerships with schools in our community and beyond. Moreover, access to state-of-the-art galleries will allow our talented education team to engage audiences even more meaningfully. These formative Museum experiences will instill a passion for lifelong learning.

“We want our donors to know that aside from the environment itself, it’s people that make the Museum’s programming impactful. Educating with best practices in mind for a broad range of students of different ages and learning levels requires extraordinary educators,” says Brown. “Our program is going to attract more educators who want to be part of the transformation happening at the Museum. This transformation is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we are going to make the most of it.”