By Kate Kocienski
Grand Rapids Public Museum
The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) has announced that it will offer after-school education classes for children in grades 3-5 beginning Feb. 3, giving students the opportunity to immerse themselves in an exciting and educational environment.
Students will use the Museum as a learning lab, while interacting with artifacts and specimens, and conducting experiments to explore science, history, culture and more. Museum educators will lead small-group, hands-on learning experiences tied to classroom curriculum objectives.
“We’re excited to continue offering these unique and interactive after-school experiences to the public,” said Erin Koren, the GRPM’s Director of Education. “We’ve noticed that students have been fully invested in the material they’ve learned, and it’s been showcased through their ability to ask questions and make connections to the curriculum confidently.”
Classes are available weekly on Wednesdays from Feb. 3 to March 24, 2021. Sessions will take place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the GRPM’s Van Andel Museum Center, located at 272 Pearl Street. Capacity is limited to eight students per session.
Students can register for a variety of classes including science laboratories, artifact exploration, behind-the-scenes exhibit exploration and more. Science-based classes include What’s in Your River, where students will perform chemical tests on water from the Grand River and DNA Extraction, where students will extract and visualize DNA from fruit and from their own cheek cells. In Museum exploration classes, like Dream It Build It LEGO® Bricks and Expedition Egypt, students will interact with unique artifacts and technology that are not offered during general visits, and will be immersed in exhibits through guided tours.
Classes are $25 for the public and $20 for GRPM members, per class. For more information on after-school education classes and to register today, visit grpm.org/EduClasses.
