Minnesota Children's Museum

Minnesota children's Museum will fabricate and beta test a new STEM gallery, a centerpiece of the museum's upcoming expansion and renovation. With its carwash theme, the STEM gallery will integrate exploration of the natural and physical elements (air and water) with science, technology, engineering and math, and engage children and families in predicting and drawing conclusions, thinking mathematically, recognizing cause and effect, applying creativity to solve problems, and communicating ideas. Through play experiences and use of interactive technology, the gallery will provide opportunities for children to build and deepen their exploration of STEM concepts. The museum will employ a new evaluation tool developed in partnership with the University of Minnesota to observe and evaluate 21st-century skill development in a museum setting, which will directly inform additional programming and facilitation in the gallery and training materials for staff.