The Delaware Museum of Nature and Science opened to the public last May after a complete renovation and reimagining of our exhibits, galleries, and public spaces.
Since then, we’ve welcomed more than 75,000 guess to discover the galleries; explore nature and science activities; enjoy special events, and celebrate birthdays, mitzvahs and weddings. Among these guests are thousands of school children who have come for Discovery Tours with their classes.
We’ve also developed partnerships to encourage youth to become educators and scientists themselves, helping us meet our mission to inspire people of all ages to a lifetime of exploration and discovery. Thanks to a generous grant from DuPont, we are joining with students and teachers from Padua Academy and Tatnall School to offer science programs for elementary school children.
Earlier this year, 34 students from Padua Academy’s engineering design, CAD, and advanced chemistry courses and STEM Club created exhibit components exploring the science of color and light. As part of their preparation, they met in person with museum educators and virtually with DuPont scientists for advice and ideas. During a two-day event in February, the Padua students hosted stations where 400 students from local elementary schools explored the hands-on activities. Through May, our own gallery interpretation staff are using the exhibit components in the Discovery Gallery with museum guests.
On Earth Day, April 21, seventh graders from the Tatnall School will present a program for younger elementary students with 12 interactive stations featuring topics such as rainforest conservation, invasive species, sea level rise, biodiversit, and protection of coral reefs. In addition to the classes coming for field trips, museum guests also may participate in the activities created by the Tatnall students. The Earth Day program with Tatnall originally was developed in 2016 and continued at the museum until 2019. For the last three years, the students’ presentations were either virtual or at the school, and we’re excited to have them back.
We are also seeking teen volunteers for two other initiatives. The Summer Science Corps, for high school students ages 14 and up, returns for the first time since 2019. From June to August, these students will lead hands-on science and nature activities, assist with gallery interpretation, education programs, special events, and summer camp while gaining experience working with the public, early childhood education, exhibit interpretation and museum collections. Applications are due May 6, with training on Saturday, May 23.
The Delaware Teen Science Café offers evening programs for teens in grades 7-12, starting with a pizza party and featuring local scientists and hands-on activities. Sponsored by Incyte, the events are developed and planned by the Teen Leadership Team, a group of six high school students who determine the themes, created activities, and met with guest speakers to help them prepare their presentations. We’re seeking new members for the Teen Leadership Team for the 2023-24 school year; students must be in grades 9 to 12, and applications are due May 15.
We also are partnering with New Castle County’s Youth Workforce Development Program for income-eligible youth ages 14 to 21. These positions are funded through the American Recovery Program Act (ARPA) and have household income eligibility requirements.
In addition to these opportunities, the museum is hiring part-time educators and summer camp instructors, and we’re always seeking public engagement volunteers to assist in our galleries and with events and programs.
This summer, we’re hosting a variety of events and programs for our guests to explore. For adults, we’re launching N3RD Thursday evening events with fun activities, contests and grown-up science, starting with Prom Night at the Museum on April 20. We’re also featuring the return of World of Discovery, our speaker series with scientists from the University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean and Environment and Delaware Sea Grant, on April 12 and May 10.
For all ages, events include “Revenge of the Sixth,” a “Star Wars”-themed event, on Saturday, May 6, and Family Fun Day, featuring outdoor activities from our community partners and the opening of the summer special exhibit “Be the Astronaut,” on Saturday, June 24.
Learn more about our education programs, volunteer opportunities, events, exhibits, membership and more at delmns.org.
Halsey Spruance is executive director of the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science.
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