DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S) IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT:
Briefing on the DoSeum Special Exhibits
SUMMARY:
This is a briefing by Dr. Richard Kissel, the Vice President of Education at the DoSeum, regarding upcoming special exhibits related to engaging children in industry, manufacturing, and transportation.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
As San Antonio’s only informal educational institution devoted to providing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) learning opportunities for young children, The DoSeum is uniquely positioned to elevate the quality and level of STEM education in our city.
In 2018, The DoSeum welcomed 358,800 guests via daily general admission; additionally, the museum served several thousand children and their teachers and caregivers more intensively through numerous programmatic offerings, including field experiences, camps, afterschool programming and educator professional development. These experiences inspire children to learn critical skills, such as collaboration and critical thinking, through inquiry-based exploration, authentic discovery, and problem solving. Attainment of STEM skills is central to the national education conversation, and The DoSeum’s vision is to encourage all of San Antonio’s children to engage in joyful learning and discover passion for STEM subjects. To that end, the museum engages in several accessibility initiatives, including underwritten field experiences and afterschool programming for over 8,000 students a year attending San Antonio-area Title I elementary schools.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM jobs are the future drivers of our workforce with over 500,000 new computer-based and engineering jobs projected to be added between 2014 and 2024. Researchers are beginning to document a connection between early-life exposure to STEM subjects and the later decision to pursue STEM-related careers. In their International Journal of Science Education paper, authors Maltese and Tai found a majority of the newly graduated PhD scientists reported their earliest interest in science began before middle school (2010).
ISSUE:
Discovery is the catalyst for joyful learning, and for every aspect of social, emotional and cognitive development in young children. The DoSeum’s current special exhibit, How People Make Things, tells the story of how everyday items are manufactured. This exhibit, inspired by Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood factory tours, gives children hands-on opportunities to cut, mold, deform, and assemble. Exhibit partnerships with Bolner’s Fiesta Spices and San Antonio Shoes showcase the manufacturing we do right here in San Antonio. Programming supplements the exhibit to give kids an opportunity to work with local factories. Activities include using real die cutters to make SAS shoe patterns out of leather and canvas.
In summer 2019, the DoSeum will bring another special exhibit, Going Places, focused on science and technology concepts behind various modes of transportation. The DoSeum is actively seeking local partners to similarly enrich the content and programming associated with this exhibit.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
This briefing is for informational purposes only and no action is necessary.