Common Questions
What is a museum school?
We are defining a museum school as a type of educational institution embedded within a museum that integrates museum resources, collections, and expertise into the school's daily learning experiences. These schools focus on using all available museum's resources to enhance and enrich traditional classroom learning, offering students opportunities to engage with artifacts, exhibits, and experts in various fields. Museum schools aim to provide a unique and enriching educational experience that goes beyond traditional classroom learning, leveraging all resources and expertise of museums to enhance students' learning and engagement. A museum school sees children on a repeated basis, rather than a drop-in basis. Families register their children for at least an academic year.
What are the key features of a museum school?
Partnership: The school is integrated within a museum which may provide resources, museum objects, learning materials, and learning opportunities for students and teachers.
Integrated Curriculum or Philosophy: The school's curriculum or philosophy integrates museum resources, objects, exhibits, and expertise into various subjects, such as history, science, art, and culture. This integration aims to provide students with more hands-on and immersive learning experience.
Experiential Learning: Museum schools emphasize experiential learning, where students learn through direct experiences, such as visits to the museum galleries, hands-on activities with artifacts, and interactions with museum professionals.
Interdisciplinary Approach: The curriculum or philosophy supports an interdisciplinary approach, connecting concepts and ideas across different subjects and encouraging students to make connections and think critically between their learning experiences.
Community Engagement: Museum schools often engage with the local community, inviting community members to participate in learning activities and events, and offer resources and programs to the community.
How are museum school learning programs funded and structured? Are they tuition based, grant funded or other? Are they full-day or part-time? Are they licensed? Are they year-round or only during the academic year?
The answer to this is YES to all! Museum school programs are structured in different ways to serve their communities. In our collaborative we have all the above represented. The structure of a museum program is dependent on current museum programming, the facility plan, and the needs of the community where they are located.
What is your most engaging museum exhibit for museum-based learners?
The most engaging exhibit varies depending on the age of the museum-based learner. For toddlers we use high sensory engagement exhibits. Water stations and music galleries are also popular for littles under 3. Our 3-5’s also enjoy these exhibits but look forward to visiting galleries that allow for STEAM activities. The Supermarket is always a hit, and other spaces where they can move and flex their muscles are also frequently visited.
How do your early childhood programs collaborate with other teams in your museum?
Like Reggio Emilia the city, Museum Schools view the other departments as our community. Together, we all work to support the community, and the community works to support the children and their learning experience. For example, our theater team puts on shows for our children and involves them in stage design and graphics using their actual artwork. Our children visit our Art Studio, so they engage with our museum educators, resident artists, and studio artists regularly.
How can we successfully onboard and train educators?
Before a teacher is fully onboarded and trained, it is essential to provide a comprehensive museum tour, giving them insight into the full scope of their teaching role within the museum school. Additionally, connecting teachers with like-minded professionals and encouraging their involvement in associations that promote your educational model, and framework helps to professionalize their role and fosters ongoing professional development.
In Miami we are piloting a new training model that integrates a consultant directly in the classroom. This consultant observes classroom interactions, models evidence-based strategies, and holds one-on-one meetings with teachers to support their teaching journey. We recognize that teachers bring diverse skill sets and experiences, so our consultant focuses on meeting each teacher where they are, building on their strengths to foster growth and success. Scheduling training can be challenging, as teachers need time to recharge just as much as they need professional development, making it a careful balance to maintain.
What are best practices for Reggio/emergent curriculum in a full-time program with little time for planning?
Museum Schools tend to move away from standardized, one-size-fits-all curriculums. Instead, museum schools encourage teachers to get to know each child and embrace their role as co-researchers alongside the children. This approach empowers teachers to draw on their expertise, relationships, and strengths to create curriculum that genuinely supports each child’s interests and needs.
How do other museum schools use the museums/galleries and what is the impact on learning?
Museum school galleries serve as an extension of their classrooms and are integrated fully into the daily learning experiences. In the mornings before the museum opens, during story time, shows, art studio sessions, and engaging public programming activities, museum schools make full use of these spaces. In Miami, we have access to the museum’s daily schedule, and we are invited to join in on specific experiences, enriching our program with unique opportunities.
Are we considering developing any professional development workshops on museum education for museum school staff based on what we learn through this project?
Yes, the more we can inform the future-that is our personal and professional goal!
