Museum of Glass in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools will offer every 6th grader a Science of Art™ field trip experience. The Museum of Glass Science of Art program was launched in 2003, with the goal of integrating the teaching of art and science in first-to-eighth-grade classrooms to create a fuller and more comprehensive understanding of the workings of our world.
This initiative was launched after a conversation between Dr. Josh Garcia, Superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools; Debbie Lenk, Executive Director of Museum of Glass; and Susan Warner, Curator of Education at Museum of Glass, during which Dr. Garcia expressed his comprehensive philosophy of exposure to experiences for all Tacoma Public Schools students. The Museum worked with the Tacoma Public Schools Curriculum and Instruction Department’s Science lead teacher Jen Crump to align the 6th grade curriculum with science high-yield strategies and meet the needs of all learners.
“By blending art and science through hands-on experiences at Museum of Glass we hope students will connect with their passions and deepen their learning,” said Superintendent Garcia.
This ambitious initiative will bring over 2,000 6th graders to Museum of Glass to experience the organization’s latest Science of Art curriculum, The Phenomena of Heat Transfer, Light Transmission, and the Tools That Make It Possible.
The curriculum involves a student-centered focused exploration of phenomena revealed in the Museum of Glass Hot Shop, Galleries, and Education Studio. This experience is guided by Museum educators, docents, and teachers, with the goal of building knowledge in science and art by developing general ideas based on evidence that can help explain and predict phenomena. The Science of Art program is based on Washington State’s Next Generation Science Standards and Visual Arts Standards.
“When we began the Science of Art program at Museum of Glass, we aimed to make a sustained, positive impact on the youth in our community. This new initiative with Tacoma Public Schools allows us to elevate that impact and ensure that Museum of Glass remains a resource for students throughout Tacoma”, said Debbie Lenk.
“We are so excited to partner with Tacoma Public Schools. Our Science of Art program is invigorated and strengthened through our rigorous collaboration and the assimilation of the new science teaching standards and methodologies. This partnership will help elevate the Museum’s educational impact for years to come,” said Susan Warner.