Learn how Brian Williams and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta are awakening a love of science in children and adults through the Science Wondershop.
Brian Williams and the Children’s Museum of Atlanta
Brian Williams and Pam Duncan first crossed paths at a conference in Atlanta, Georgia in 2008. At the time, Pam was working as the Manager of Museum Programming at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta and Brian was looking for opportunities to do more community-based science education work. Shortly after meeting each other, they began to dream about what a science program might look like at the museum. It had to introduce young children to scientific ideas and concepts. It had to be play-based and fun. Pam wanted something special for Sundays when Dads were more likely to bring their children to the museum. Brian wanted a program that would invite adults to explore science with their children. They both agreed that it had to inspire a curiosity, imagination, and [hopefully] a love of science. The result of all that dreaming was the Science Wondershop; a 10-week, hands-on science education program designed to engage children and their adults in the playful exploration of the world of science – on Sundays.
The Science Wondershop Today
Almost a decade later, the Science Wondershop is still bringing the joy of science to visitors at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. More than 5,000 children and adults from across the country have participated in the program. They have explored polymers and non-Newtonian fluids, launched rockets, created slime, pulled iron out of cereal, investigated the sense of taste, designed musical instruments, blown giant bubbles, and much, much more. Each 30-minute session has been filled with laughter, creativity, and, of course, wonder.
On Sunday, February 17, we launched the Spring 2019 season of the Science Wondershop at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Like those before it, this series is filled with sensational science. During the first five sessions (weeks 1-5), children and their adults will have the opportunity to participate in five different hands-on activities. We will repeat those activities during the second half of the series (weeks 6-10). That means that you get two chances to experience each activity. Sessions will be held on Sundays at 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM. While we want to serve everybody, space is limited. Make sure you get to the museum early enough to put your name on the list. Of course, the sessions are free with your admission to the museum.
Dates for this Science Wondershop series: 2/17, 2/24, 3/3, 3/10, 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7, 4/14, and 4/28. Please note: There is no Science Wondershop scheduled for Sunday, April 21. For more information, contact the Children’s Museum of Atlanta at (404) 659-5437.
