Amazement Square

AMAZEMENT SQUARE WILL PARTNER WITH FIVE CENTRAL VIRGINIA LIBRARIES TO PROVIDE THE STEAM LIBRARY MAKERS PROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR AT-RISK EARLY LEARNERS NOT ENROLLED IN EARLY LEARNING FACILITIES TO HELP THEM DEVELOP THE SKILLS THEY NEED TO ENTER KINDERGARTEN AND EMPOWER THEIR CAREGIVERS TO HELP THEM LEARN AT HOME. PROJECT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE DEVELOPING, IMPLEMENTING, EVALUATING, AND REFINING THE MONTHLY STEAM PROGRAMS AND PROVIDING STEAM MAKER EDUCATION TRAINING FOR LIBRARY STAFF. PROJECT FUNDS WILL SUPPORT FABRICATING MOBILE MAKER SPACES FOR EACH PARTNER LIBRARY, PROGRAM MATERIALS, AND PAID COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS. PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS WILL DEVELOP A LOVE FOR LEARNING AND CURIOSITY WHILE DEVELOPING SKILLS THAT WILL HELP PREPARE THEM FOR KINDERGARTEN.

AMAZEMENT SQUARE WILL PROVIDE ACCESS TO QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN OF ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS, HELPING GIVE THEM A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR LEARNING PRIOR TO ENTERING KINDERGARTEN. THE MUSEUM WILL EXPAND A PILOT PROJECT THAT PROVIDED CLASSROOM STRUCTURE AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL CURRICULUM FOR THREE EARLY LEARNING CENTERS. THE PROJECT WILL DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPATING AT-RISK CENTERS, WHOSE TEACHERS WILL RECEIVE INTENSIVE MENTORING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THE PROGRAM WILL HELP THESE CHILDCARE FACILITIES GET ACCREDITATION BY INCREASING TEACHER UNDERSTANDING OF EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING METHODS AND STAGES OF COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND THROUGH THE ACQUISITION OF APPROPRIATE LEARNING MATERIALS. THE MUSEUM WILL CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE TEMPLATE THAT CAN BE SHARED AND IMPLEMENTED WITHIN OTHER EARLY LEARNING CENTERS AROUND THE REGION.

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

AMAZEMENT SQUARE, A CHILDREN'S MUSEUM IN LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA, WILL PARTNER WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DIVISIONS AND HOSPITAL CENTRA HEALTH'S AUTISM AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES TO FACILITATE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM ADDRESSING SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL AND ACADEMIC LEARNING LOSS FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM AND OTHER AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE A COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, IN-CLASS CURRICULUM, EXCLUSIVE QUARTERLY MUSEUM EXPERIENCES, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR MUSEUM STAFF, AND PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE DIGITAL RESOURCES. THE PROGRAM WILL INCREASE THE UNDERSTANDING OF STEAM (SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATH) CONCEPTS AMONG PARTICIPATING CHILDREN, FACILITATE CONVERSATIONS AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT AMONG THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, EXPAND MUSEUM STAFF KNOWLEDGE OF INCLUSIVITY AND AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER PROGRAMMING, AND HEIGHTEN AWARENESS OF THE MUSEUM'S ACCESSIBILITY RESOURCES.

TO SUPPORT A COMMUNITY-BASED MOSAIC MURAL PROJECT.

NATIONAL AWARD FOR MUSEUM SERVICE