Families can learn about space and science together while school is out
Reading, PA — The Reading Public Museum is offering a new science education kit for at-home use to area families on Friday, April 3 at 11am. Supplies will be limited and will be distributed until they are exhausted.
Continuing its efforts to provide quality, hands-on learning experiences for children during the COVID-19 shutdown, this new Space Board Game kit is designed for children and their families to build knowledge of space and science while schools are closed. The first at-home science kits distributed by The Museum sold out in minutes last Monday, as parents and caregivers seek innovative and interesting ways to engage children in learning.
As the area’s leading science center and museum – traditionally featuring space and science learning in its Neag Planetarium – the Reading Public Museum serves thousands of children annually through school visits, scout programs, and summer camps. During the mandated shut-down, travelling to The Museum to pick-up distance learning materials is an approved exception to the stay-in-place order.
Because the previous kits were so popular and sold-out before many families were able to take advantage of them, The Museum is asking for a $5 suggested donation for each kit which will help support the development of future educational efforts during this difficult time. Due to the mandated closure, the Reading Public Museum is experiencing a complete loss of revenues during its busiest season, and contributions via mail or online are always accepted.
John Graydon Smith, Director and CEO, stated “We recognize the struggles of families who are working to keep their households together during this crisis, and hope that these kits help make the time spent with children more enjoyable and memorable, while also providing some educational support as schools work to ramp up their distance learning programs.” More kits are being planned for future release, and The Museum is working on birthday parties in a box for kids whose parties had to be cancelled because of the crisis.
