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Delaware Museum of Natural History hosting School Enrichment Program

The Delaware Museum of Natural History is trying to help families deal with learning from home this fall.

The museum is offering an onsite School Enrichment Program to support First State students and their families as many head back to school virtually this week.

“We have created a program for families to send their students who have virtual learning currently, to get all of their school work completed in a safe environment and a supportive environment. And then one that also offers additional activities during their downtime,” said Delaware Museum of Natural History scout and camps coordinator Megan Stern.

 

She says the program has a range of activities they hope meet the various interests of the students it serves.

 

"Some of that includes things like - science experiments, but also other activities such as drawing tutorials or creating their own science experiments," said Stern. "We also - being in a museum - have an incredible amount of resources like our exhibits and collections and biofacts (natural objects found alongside artifacts or features, such as animal bones, charcoal, plants and pollen.”

Stern says they plan to run the School Enrichment Program at least the next six weeks -- and students in grades 3 and up can sign up.

 

“Our program starts at 8:30 in the morning. We do provide a before-care option at 7:30 (a.m.). So people can drop their child off anytime between 7:30 and 8:30 (a.m.).," said Stern. "And when they come to us, they - along with their family, should have already looked through what their school requirements are for the day.”

 

Stern says museum staff have a student worksheet to make sure they understand each child’s daily school work needs.

She adds the museum created two areas for the School Enrichment Program - the School Zone, where students can quietly do their school work and the Exploration Zone, where students can explore the museum’s resources and activities.

 

Stern says temperatures will be checked when students are dropped off and masks are required at all times. The program is capped at 14 students in an effort to keep everyone socially distanced and safe.

Museum members pay $40 per day or $180 a week.  The cost for non-members is $45 per day and $205 per week. And students should plan to bring their own laptops, headphones, tablets and charging cords.

 

Kelli Steele has over 30 years of experience covering news in Delaware, Baltimore, Winchester, Virginia, Phoenix, Arizona and San Diego, California.