On Tuesday, April 15, Granby Elementary School’s kindergarteners and first graders received a unique educational experience from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
Museum educator and performer Amanda Avram engaged the young minds with an interactive lesson designed to ignite their curiosity about science.
Transforming the school library into an immersive ecosystem, Avram utilized a makeshift canopy and costumes, allowing children to witness the vibrancy of nature first-hand.
In this enchanting setting, students transformed into various forest creatures, including chipmunks, raccoons, and buzzing flies, exploring their roles in the ecosystem.
One of the highlights of the workshop was an engaging lesson on matching birds with their calls.
When Avram prompted the students to identify animals that relied on their sense of hearing, most pointed excitedly at the chirping birds.
This playful and educational workshop is part of the Wild Senses Wonder Workshop series, where students learn how animals use their senses to survive in their habitats.
Avram emphasized the importance of these lessons as foundational moments, helping students understand adaptations in nature as they progress through their education.
The students took part in activities that included pretending to be spiders waiting on their webs, while others had the opportunity to simulate flies getting caught in the web, feeling vibrations just like real spiders.
These workshops aim to foster hands-on learning experiences that engage students from kindergarten through middle school.
Activities within the workshops encourage teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
The museum collaborates with schools to set up these programs, which are made accessible through various scholarships designed to offset the associated costs.
Senior grants officer Jordan Cooper highlighted that informal science education provides essential support to conventional curriculum by sparking interest in science fields within a safe and interactive environment.
Avram, who has dedicated 18 years to her role at the museum, expressed her passion for informal education, stating that it is rewarding to inspire children about science directly in their classrooms.
Avram described the workshop as a special opportunity not available to everyone, especially given the decline in frequent science education in schools.
She hopes that her efforts can ignite a passion for science in students and encourage them to envision themselves pursuing careers in this field.
Bringing museum resources directly to schools not only enriches the students’ educational experiences but also alleviates the logistical challenges involved in transporting students to Denver.
First-grade teacher Cassandra Beck recognizes the significant value of this workshop, calling it an “awesome opportunity” for her students.
She remarked on how even though the museum is far away, the students had a taste of the museum experience brought directly to them.
This enriching experience was made possible through the Ann O’Donnell Endowment for Outreach and Education, established by longtime museum volunteer Ann O’Donnell and her son, John O’Donnell.
At 93 years old, Ann has dedicated over fifty years to volunteering at the museum and co-founded its successful membership program, which boasts nearly 50,000 member households today.
This membership program serves as a vital revenue source for the museum, as Cooper noted.
To observe the impact of the museum’s outreach efforts, Ann, her husband Canton, and John attended the Granby workshop.
As part-time residents of Grand Lake with a rich family heritage in the area, the O’Donnells are deeply connected to the community, making their involvement in such educational initiatives particularly meaningful.
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