Great Explorations Inc

MUSEUMS FOR AMERICA

CONG. SETASIDES, MUSEUMS

GREAT EXPLORATIONS CHILDREN'S MUSEUM WILL IMPLEMENT AN OUTREACH PROGRAM IN THE MIDTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD OF SOUTH ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA, TO TEACH MIDDLE-SCHOOL-AGED YOUTH HOW TO PLANT A GARDEN. MIDTOWN IS AN URBAN FOOD DESERT WITH NO GROCERY STORE IN A THREE-MILE RADIUS THAT HAS FRESH PRODUCE AVAILABLE. THE MUSEUM WILL INCORPORATE STEAM METHODS OF LEARNING, TEACH SMART (SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, AGREED-UPON, REALISTIC, TIMELY) GOAL SETTING, AND PROVIDE HIGH-SCHOOL-AGED MENTORS TO GUIDE YOUNGER STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM. GRADUATES OF THE PROGRAM WILL RECEIVE A STARTER GARDEN KIT TO TAKE HOME AND GROW WITH THEIR FAMILY AND TRACK ITS PROGRESS. THE GARDEN AREA WILL REMAIN OPEN AT THE END OF THE PROJECT AS A COMMUNITY GARDEN FOR THE MIDTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD. THE PROJECT WILL HELP WITH RECOVERY FROM THE PANDEMIC BY ADDRESSING THE AREA'S FOOD INSECURITY BY TEACHING STUDENTS HOW TO SUSTAIN THEIR OWN FOOD SOURCE.

GREAT EXPLORATIONS CHILDREN’S MUSEUM WILL DESIGN AND FABRICATE NEW EXHIBIT SPACE TO ENHANCE THE WELL-BEING AND IMPACT OF ITS LIVING COLLECTION. MUSEUM STAFF WILL PURCHASE SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS TO CREATE NEW ENCLOSURES FOR ITS LIVING COLLECTION THAT INCLUDE SPECIES-SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTS THAT ENCOURAGE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR COMMONLY SEEN IN THE WILD. THE NEWLY DESIGNED SPACE WILL INCLUDE AN ANIMAL ENRICHMENT WALL, A WATER-FILTRATION SYSTEM, A HYDROPONIC GARDEN, AND FOOD STORAGE AND PREPARATION AREAS. THE MULTIPURPOSE SPACE WILL ENABLE STAFF TO CONDUCT DAILY DEMONSTRATIONS AND HANDS-ON ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS AND PROMOTE STREAM-BASED LEARNING THROUGH ANIMAL AND NATURE-THEMED PROGRAMMING. THE PROJECT WILL RESULT IN OVERALL IMPROVED CARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE MUSEUM’S LIVING COLLECTION. THE NEW EXHIBIT SPACE WILL ENRICH THE OVERALL EXPERIENCE OF MUSEUM VISITORS, PRIMARILY FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN, AND ENCOURAGE INTERACTIVE, HANDS-ON LEARNING TO FOSTER GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF THE NATURAL WORLD.