In This Issue
Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Museum Education
Family Science Night
Club Corner
Donor Spotlight
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Collaboration With the Girl Scouts

Alex Hamilton, Director of Education at the Junior Museum and Zoo (JMZ), has been working with Girl Scouts from troop 60764 since the beginning of the school year. Their mission has been to explore ways to further engage JMZ visitors. The Scouts researched teaching and learning styles and observed how visitors interacted with the museum exhibits. Their work comes on the heels of a visitor survey conducted in December to capture visitor demographics.

 


The Scouts used carts separated into three categories: mammals, birds, and reptiles. Each cart had items taken from the JMZ collection such as, skulls, furs, skeletons, eggs. Alex provided the Scouts with facts about each item, but it was the Scouts who took charge of engaging JMZ visitors. The Scouts used games and open-ended questions created from their readings and observations with visitors. They formed guessing games with the collection items and devised questions that made the visitors think, wonder and discover. JMZ visitors enjoyed the opportunity to explore the JMZ with fresh perspective and discover in a new way. 

 

The Scouts are currently working on a booklet for the JMZ to share with other scouts who are interested in working with the JMZ. "We look forward to enlisting more Girl Scouts in this program", says Alex.

 

Thanks to Friends Board Member Robin Reynolds for initiating this collaboration with the Girl Scouts.

Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Museum Education

The JMZ has received the 2014 Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Museum Education for its school science programs. This award is given by the California Association of Museums and the Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

 

As schools struggle to meet stringent requirements for student achievement in math and language-arts, teachers find it increasingly difficult to make time for science.  This is particularly true in early elementary grades, before standardized tests begin to assess academic achievement in science. For many elementary teachers, success in teaching science requires additional support, such as the JMZ science education program.

 

The JMZ works to meet the growing needs of students and teachers by bringing our programs to schools, drawing upon its collections of living and non-living specimens and scientific equipment. The JMZ delivers hands-on science lessons for 11,000 K-5 classrooms each year.  Deploying a highly skilled, passionate team of 12 educators, the museum forges strong and responsive relationships with school teachers and students in 11 local elementary schools. The JMZ tailors its programs to meet changing student and teacher needs in economically diverse neighborhoods such as East Palo Alto and San Mateo. These hands-on science lessons directly support State Content Standards in the Life, Physical and Earth Sciences. The lessons take place largely in school classrooms but also at the museum and at local open space preserves in Palo Alto.

 

The JMZ has a history of recognition for its work in education. Numerous awards include recognition in 2005 from the Palo Alto Council of PTAs, the California State Senate, and the State Assembly.  The School Science Program was cited for its educational contributions by the Association of Children's Museums and the California Park & Recreation Society in 2002.

Family Science Night
    

Date: February 27th, 2014

 

Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

 

Location: Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo

1451 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto CA 94301

 

JMZ Educators will showcase their favorite interactive science experiences. Stations will be setup for each grade level, from Kindergarten to 5th. All teachers and families are welcome. 

PLEASE JOIN US!

Club Corner: Club JMZ Happenings & News

An Evening With Mister G 

An Evening with Mister G, held on December 6th, was an early holiday treat. Upper category members participated in an intimate concert with national recording star, Mister G at the JMZ. Read all about Mister G and his work with children.

 

Thank you to our Event Sponsors:

  • Dransfield Bridger Family 
  • Whole Foods Market Los Altos 

 

 

 

  

Club JMZ Members-Only Hours

Club JMZ members are invited for members only hours on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each month from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Upcoming Sunday Club hours are:

 

  • February 2nd
  • March 16th
  • February 16th
  • April 6th
  • March 2nd
  • April 20th

 

Not yet a member? Has your membership lapsed? No worries! Join/renew at the JMZ and pick up free Club JMZ t-shirts for your family, or click here to join/renew online. 

Donor Spotlight

The Mayor has renewed Marc Berman's appointment as liaison to Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. The Boards of Director welcomes Councilman Berman.

Founded in 1962, Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo. Our public/private partnership with the City of Palo Alto provides family with a creative and nurturing environment for kids to learn about science. Thank you for your continued support!

 

Sincerely,

Board of Directors, Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo