WONDERFEET KIDS MUSEUM INC

WONDERFEET KIDS MUSEUM (THE MUSEUM) FOSTERS CURIOSITY AND EXPLORATION, INSPIRES CREATIVITY AND IGNITES THE IMAGINATION OF EVERY CHILD THROUGH THE POWER OF PLAY. THE MUSEUM OFFERS PROGRAMMING AND ADMISSION TO RESIDENTS AND VISITORS OF RUTLAND COUNTY, WITH A FOCUS ON PRE-SCHOOL AGED CHILDREN. THE MUSEUM'S CORE VALUES INCLUDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE: A CARING AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT RELEVANT AND INTERACTIVE LEARNING VIBRANT COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND RESOURCES ENERGY BY PLAY AND FUN THE MUSEUM'S PRIMARY GOALS INCLUDE: 1. PROVIDE ENGAGING AND RELEVANT LEARNING EXPERIENCES (INCLUDING EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMMING) 2. SUPPORT A HEALTHY COMMUNITY THROUGH STRONG PARTNERSHIPS 3. DETERMINE SUITABLE GROWTH TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY 4. DEVELOP AND RETAIN STAFF EXCELLENCE 5. GROW DIVERSE AND SUSTAINABLE FUNDING SOURCES THE MUSEUM ALSO PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: HANDS-ON STEM OPPORTUNITIES THAT MEET THE NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE STANDARDS. THEMED EVENTS - VARIETY OF PROGRAMMING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ON TOPICS OF INTEREST TO THE COMMUNITY. THESE TWO-HOUR PROGRAMS ALLOW CHILDREN TO BE IMMERSED IN A TOPIC WITH HANDS-ON AND ENGAGING ACTIVITIES. HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS - TWO DAYS EACH MONTH. THIS PROGRAM FOCUS ON BUILDING BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE ON THE SELECTED TOPIC THROUGH HANDS-ON ENGAGEMENT, EXPLORATION, AND INSTRUCTOR EXPLANATION. AS A MULTI-AGE GROUP, WE WILL ORGANIZE OUR DAY WITH A VARIETY OF WHOLE AND SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES, DIFFERENTIATING BY AGE AND/OR INTEREST WHEN APPROPRIATE. PROGRAMMING WILL EMPHASIZE CONNECTIONS TO VERMONT BOTH PAST AND PRESENT. THIS PROGRAM ALSO PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY FOR A FIELD TRIP AIMED AT EXPANDING UNDERSTANDING AND MAKING CONNECTIONS TO THE MONTHS TOPIC THROUGH LOCAL AND REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS. EXTENSION IDEAS SUPPLIED TO KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES WILL ALSO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR LEARNING AT HOME. IN 2022, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER, THE MUSEUM ENTERED TO AN AGREEMENT TO EXPAND TO A NEW LOCATION. THIS EXPANSION WILL NOT ONLY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SPACE BUT ALSO THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO CREATE NEW EXHIBITS AND FOSTER ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY PROGRAM OFFERINGS. THE NEW SPACE OPENED IN MAY 2023 AND HAS YIELDED OVER 30,000 VISITORS AND DEEPER COLLABORATION APPORTUNITIES WITHIN RUTLAND COUNTY.