Shawn Nowlin
shawn.nowlin@ourvalley.org
The Science Museum of Western Virginia (SMWV) has launched The Lab, an educational program designed as an alternative to at-home virtual learning. The Lab at SMVA combines the academic and structural support of a classroom with the hands-on, discovery experience of a lab.
“K-5 is the most critical period in a child’s education. Many parents are concerned about how to navigate their child’s new education structure and approach virtual learning platforms,” Director of Philanthropy Mary Roberts Baako said. “The Lab at SMWV has been developed to offer students high-quality and active education on days they are not in their own school classroom, while maintaining a safe and structured environment.”
Every child, regardless of background, should be afforded the same educational opportunities, said Koren Smith, the SMWV Director of Marketing. At its core, she noted, the Science Museum of Western Virginia is an educational institution.
“Our museum floor consists of hands-on exhibits that introduce visitors to a variety of STEM subjects and spark their interest to explore the subject further, and our Education Department works closely with our local school systems, delivering programming to students at the museum and within their classrooms,” Smith said.
She added, “LaBRooms allow trained educators to support students with virtual schoolwork assignments, while also guiding them through a comprehensive SOL-aligned, enrichment curriculum that builds STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) fluency and aids in other important developmental skills.”
The Science Museum of Western Virginia was established in 1970 by a group of local teachers who identified a need for an informal education space. Its mission has remained the same since day one: to make STEM subjects accessible to all by encouraging learning through play, building confidence and using the intersection between art and science to engage all individuals.
Today, the museum’s Education Department develops and delivers SOL-based programs to over 36,000 students throughout the region annually. For more information about the education program, visit smwv.org.
