Teachers bring the musuem to class in-school programs

Carnegie, Jan/Feb 2001

What could be better for schools than bringing the museum into the classroom with expert teachers to share the excitement? Thousands of children in Western Pennsylvania classrooms have that experience each year, when volunteers from the In-School Programs show up with museum materials to tell kids about such things as Dinosaurs, African Mammals, North American Indians, Egypt, and Polar World.

People who love to share information and know how to do it-many of them retired teachers-make up the volunteer corps. They are trained to be part of any classroom unit at any grade level from kindergarten through eighth grade. Pre-visit materials are sent to the school before the visit so teachers can prepare their classes. Unlike large assembly programs, these In-School Programs are tailored for hands-on presentation in classrooms for groups from 10 to 25 students.

A $30 fee per class covers costs, and funding support is available. Schools on a tight budget sometimes have Parent-Teachers Associations help out with financial support, and individual teachers who know how good these visits are have even paid by personal check. A new Early Learner's Program for 2001 will focus on topics such as Fossil Fun and Funky Features (using life-like puppets to explain such things as an elephant's big ears and long trunk, or a cheetah's spots and fast speed). The fee for this program is $75, and funding support is also available.

For more information call Sue McJunkin at 622-3235, or email mcjunkins@carnegiemuseums.org.