Media Room In the News

Museum Offers Creative Way to Help Busy Families

San Jose Spotlight
January 3, 2022

Doing what the museum does best, serving families and meeting the moment, the museum partnered with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to host vaccination clinics at the museum for busy families. With funding from Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The Health Trust, San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez’s office, Anthem Blue Cross and Santa Clara Family Health Plan, the museum is able to offer free passes for up to eight people per pass, to every family or individual who gets vaccinated during one of the clinics. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Health Promotion, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Museum Offers Free Passes for Vaccinated Guests at Clinic

NBC Bay Area 11
January 2, 2022

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is offering free passes for anyone who gets vaccinated at the Museum on January 2. With funding from four local partners, the Museum is working with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to host several clinics this year in an effort to support busy families. The clinic is open to anyone needing a vaccination or booster. Learn More

General Museum, Health Promotion, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

New Educational Play Space is a Hit With Kids

Tiny Beans
November 4, 2021

Traveling with young children just got easier at Mineta San Jose International Airport. Zoom Zone, an educational play space designed by Children's Discovery Museum, is already a big hit. Sponsored by Zoom Video Communications, Inc., with the support of many community partners, Zoom Zone teaches little ones about flight while helping them get the wiggles out. Learn More

Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Zoom Zone Opens at Mineta San Jose International Airport

The Mercury News
October 27, 2021

Families traveling with children now have a safe and exciting place to get their pre-flight jitters out at Zoom Zone, the new educational play space designed by Children's Discovery Museum at Mineta San Jose International Airport. Sponsorship from Zoom Video Communications, Inc. and many partners, including Hensel Phelps, got this worthwhile project off the ground. Learn More

Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Museum Set to Welcome Visitors Back Inside

The Mercury News
March 30, 2021

Santa Clara County has shifted to the orange tier and that's good news for the museum. After being closed for more than a year, families will be able to enjoy the inside of the museum and Bill's Backyard, starting April 1. Capacity is limited to 25 percent and there are a number of health and safety protocols in place to protect visitors and staff. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum

Children’s Discovery Museum Prepares to Welcome Back Visitors

The Mercury News
September 24, 2020

Donning a purple mask, the perched Discovery Duck is welcoming back visitors to the venerable children's museum starting October 9. A number of health and safety measures have been put in place to open Bill's Backyard with two play sessions per day. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum

Family Diversity is Celebrated at Proud of My Family

Bay Area Reporter
June 19, 2019

Contributing a positive message to the national narrative around diversity and inclusion, the museum hosted its fifth annual Proud of My Family day June 22. Rainbow-themed activities, the Silicon Valley Rainbow Women's Chorus, and partners from the LGBTQ community were on-hand to celebrate family diversity. Learn More

Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Museum Announces Access and Inclusion Initiative

imp inpark Magazine
June 19, 2019

Visitors of all abilities will now have additional options for accessing Children's Discovery Museum. This initiative advances our most deeply held values of access and inclusion for all members of the community,” said Marilee Jennings, executive director of Children’s Discovery Museum. “These efforts build upon our existing initiative work with the Autism, LGBTQ, and immigrant communities.” Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Health Promotion, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Learning Research

BioSITE Celebrates 25 Years of Sparking Curiosity in Science

The Mercury News
April 12, 2019

For 25 years, the museum's BioSITE program has been turning local waterways into living laboratories and classrooms for local youth. Fourth and fifth graders mentored by high school students test water quality and monitor the health of rivers, creeks and streams with the goal of fostering an appreciation and respect for the environment. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, General Museum, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Mission-Driven Cafe: When Doing the Wrong Thing is the Right Thing To Do

American Alliance of Museums Blog
April 1, 2019

If your primary goal is to have a food operation that contributes to your bottom line, hiring a contract food-service company is the right thing to do. But what if your vision for your café goes beyond seeing it as a profit center? Marilee Jennings, the executive director of Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, ultimately wanted the cafe to align with the museum's mission. With the encouragement and support of her board, she embarked on a journey of change. Learn More

General Museum, Health Promotion

Hanukkah Celebration Shows Kids How We’re All Different Yet Connected

The Mercury News
December 3, 2018

Families in Silicon Valley are eager to expose their children to the many rich cultures around the world. Helping kids appreciate how others are different goes a long way toward a hopeful future. That's what makes Menorahs & Miracles so joyful, fun - yet full of purpose and intention. This annual partner event celebrates Hanukkah and helps children experience different cultures around the world. Learn More

Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

South Bay Teen Inspires Young Visitors with “A-mazing” Talent

ABC 7 News
November 20, 2018

Jonathan Pappas is a teen with talent. He inspired museum's visitors with his passion for all things mazes with an "UberMaze Experience Day" during Thanksgiving holiday. Jonathan's spark for art, math, and technology began when he was five years old. At sixteen, he's now designed more than 300 original mazes, been selected as a Maker at this year's Maker Faire, and created a child-friendly app that he prototyped at the museum. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Science Learning

Executive Director Marilee Jennings On Diversity & Inclusion with SV Business Journal

Silicon Valley Business Journal
November 16, 2018

On any given day in the museum, you'll hear numerous languages being spoken. The museum's audience mirrors the tremendous diversity in the Bay Area. This is no accident. It's the result of years of intentional work that includes everything from the Cultural Celebration Series, tri-lingual signage, staffing decisions, and exhibits and programs to deeply held community partnerships. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Health Promotion, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Learning Research, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning