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For many kids the school experience is one of classrooms, books, and simply doing what they are told. But a new pilot program makes learning a hands-on experience. KSMU’s Theresa Carter spoke with coordinators of this program and reports.
In August, the Summit Preparatory School began a partnership with the Discovery Center. Initially the idea was to engage the middle and high-school students in the museum’s science labs. This partnership instead developed to encompass all of the age groups within the school. This school year, Summit middle and high-school students attend classes Monday through Thursday on the campus of the Discovery Center.
Laurie Duncan is the educational director of the Discovery Center.
"One of the reasons that we feel this partnership works so well, is that the mission of both the Discovery Center and the Summit overlap, and believe that kids learn best by doing and experiencing. And the experience that the Summit students get, whether at the upper school or lower school, is enrichment and learning by doing."
Summit elementary students also benefit from the partnership. Although the younger grades do not have classrooms housed at the Discovery Center, they use the museum facilities on a regular basis to take advantage of hands-on learning opportunities. These regular class trips differ from standard field trips, as they concentrate on a particular topic each time.
Duncan says she would like to see more area schools consider using museums on a regular basis.
"Using the facility as a resource multiple times throughout the year, and not feeling like they have to get everything in one two-hour trip. If they are looking into using the resources and popping in for 30 minutes here, or 45 minutes there..."
The objective behind this learning concept is to help children become critical thinkers, and to have fun learning. For a link to more information:
The Summit Preparatory School (417) 869-8077
For KSMU News, I’m Theresa Carter.
