PALM BEACH – More than 400 children and families gathered at the South Florida Science Museum recently to catch a glimpse of Elmo and to hear about the Museum’s first early learning programs made possible through PNC Financial Services Group’s Grow Up Great initiative, a 10-year, $100 million investment in early childhood education. The science programs were unveiled during a special evening event that included entertainment by a balloon artist, a magician and science-related activities for guests to enjoy.
“The Museum was packed with children and families excited about science,” said Dr. Rachel Docekal, chief development and marketing officer at the Museum. “We are thankful for PNC for underwriting this event and for their funding of One World One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure. It was the perfect audience to share news about our new early learning programs that will provide children with experiences designed to spark a lifetime love of science.”
In addition, One World, One Sky: Big Bird’s Adventure, made its Florida premiere that evening. Through the lens of astronomy, children joined Elmo, Big Bird and Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street, to explore the night sky. The show was created by Sesame Workshop with major funding from the PNC Foundation, which receives its principal funding from PNC and the National Science Foundation.
“PNC is pleased to partner with the South Florida Science Museum to bring early childhood programming to Palm Beach County and help secure a better future for area children,” said Craig Grant, president of PNC for Florida.
The Museum’s early learning program, “Museum & Me,” is for children 18-months to four-years of age and begins April 27th, 28th or 29th at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. The sessions will be held once a week for seven weeks and each class is 75 minutes. The cost is $75.00 per child along with a parent, grandparent or caregiver for the session. The next session begins the week of June 21st.
Through the “Museum & Me” program, children will be introduced to chemistry, biology, physics, and geology through play-based, hands-on activities that stimulate thought and teach cause and effect. Each session is infused with age appropriate activities that challenge and entertain children while sparking a love of learning about the world around him or her.
The South Florida Science Museum provides curious minds of all ages with an entertaining and educational journey through science and technology. Located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach, the museum features more than 50 hands-on exhibits, a digital planetarium, freshwater and saltwater aquariums, as well as natural history exhibitions. Each year the museum welcomes more than 120,000 visitors and reaches more than 40,000 students through workshops at the museum and outreach programs to local schools. Established in 1961, the museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to exciting curiosity and furthering the understanding and appreciation of science and technology.
To sign-up or for more information on the “Museum & Me” early learning program or other South Florida Science Museum offerings, please call 561-832-1988 or visit www.sfsm.org.
