Museum Learning Catered for Your Students' Needs.
Benefits of Museum Learning.
Through close partnerships with school districts and universities, the GRPM strives to continually improve and match our program offerings to the needs of K-12 learners. As Dr. Erica Hamilton, Associate Professor of Literacy and Technology at Grand Valley State University, explains, “museums are valuable resources that provide students with opportunities to develop key skills.”
“Spending time in the GRPM expands learners’ definitions of literacy, specifically opportunities to read, write, listen, hear, and see different texts (e.g., videos, artifacts, images).”
The GRPM has a diverse collection of objects and exhibits that connect to curriculum topics and provide meaningful, place-based educational experiences not available in the classroom. Students can learn about science, history and culture by engaging with unique Museum resources, including artifacts, exhibits and community stories. The Museum’s educational programs are based on a constructivist learning philosophy. Our educators use inquiry-based strategies, allowing students to grapple with content and generate understandings individually and as a class. Each guided education program is aligned to curriculum standards and evaluated regularly with student and teacher surveys and assessments to ensure that programs are effective.
NEW! Distance Learning Offerings.
The GRPM Education team has worked hard to develop new distance learning opportunities for students. We’ve aimed to provide flexible programming that fits a wide range of learning needs and can be incorporated across a variety of school formats. Most of our distance learning resources have been adapted from existing programs and activities, but others were developed to leverage the virtual format and engage learners in innovative ways.
Facilitated Virtual Learning.
Interactive programs led by Museum Educators via Zoom bring social studies and science standards to life using artifacts, media, interactive prompts and more! Explore the history of the local community from hundreds of years ago, investigate amazing animal adaptations or tour the solar system with an astronomy expert. Most reservations include post-presentation activities to extend the learning. Programs run 30-45 minutes and cost $100 per session. Work with group scheduling to select a program topic at a time that fits your needs!
Free Downloadable Resources and Activity Guides.
Check out these free educational resources to augment lessons and keep kids engaged with distance learning. Download or share this content with students to incorporate Museum exhibits and artifacts into your instruction, available at grpm.org/schools.
- Virtual Discovery Kits. These activity sheets provide information on a variety of science, history and cultural topics and allow students to ask questions, be creative and reflect on their learning.
- Virtual Scavenger Hunts for Digital Collections. Use these scavenger hunts to explore the vast resource of the Digital Collections website which contains a quarter of a million records. Students will practice literacy, make connections, find patterns and use other deep thinking skills.
- Exhibit Tour Videos. Simulate a virtual visit to the GRPM’s memorable core exhibits including Anishinabek, Newcomers and West Michigan Habitats. More to come!
Visit the K-12 School Visits page to learn more or request programs and resources today!
By: Erin Koren, the GRPM’s Director of Education