Media Room Strategic Initiative Community Service Learning

BioSITE Celebrates 30 Years of Teaching Scientific Methods and Water Ecology

April 1, 2024

Over the past 30 years, more than 26,000 students have tested water quality, discovered local plants and animals, and directly learned about the environment and humans' impact in BioSITE, the award-winning field research program. Learn More

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

Museum Partners with Kristi Yamaguchi’s “Always Dream,” and San Jose Public Library Foundation for Family Literacy Festival

The Mercury News
June 4, 2023

The museum partnered with the Kristi Yamaguchi "Always Dream" and San Jose Public Library Foundation on the first Family Literacy Festival. Grammy-winning artists, New York Times bestselling authors and sports celebrities gathered together to support literacy. Learn More

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

Grant from NBC Launches Mobile Media Studio for At-Risk Youth

June 5, 2019

A Project Innovation grant from NBC Bay Area, Telemundo 48 and NBCUniversal Foundation will provide funds to transition the existing video-making program at the museum into a mobile media studio that will travel to Sacred Heart Nativity School located in the heart of the Washington/Gardner area, one of the highest gang-impacted neighborhoods in San Jose. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, Partnerships & Resource Development

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

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

$25,000 Grant from Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Connects Families to Nature

September 10, 2018

Local children and adults will gain skills in how to enjoy and participate in outdoor recreation thanks to “Happy Trails.” This innovative program launched by Children’s Discovery Museum and funded by Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority aims to narrow the “nature gap” by removing barriers for inner-city families. According to CalEnviroScreen, an analysis of California communities and the environment, some of the most environmentally disadvantaged communities are within a five-mile radius of the museum and likely lack exposure to the positive health benefits of nature. This program intends to change that. Learn More

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

Two-Year Initiative with Immigrant Families Culminates with Traveling Installation

The Mercury News
June 3, 2018

The museum continues its cutting-edge work with immigrant communities. The latest is a compelling visual and performing arts pop-up, A Seat at the Table, traveling to South Bay events this summer. The exhibit sparks conversations and art activities around the meaning of home, heritage, identity, and shared values. It's the culmination of Common Ground, a two-year initiative funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences to promote cultural understanding amongst immigrant families from Mexico, China, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam and the greater South Bay communities. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence

Shortino Foundation’s $25,000 Award Makes a Difference for Local Youth

May 3, 2018

Local at-risk youth from low-income families will learn about video and digital media, experience the joys of community service, and make new friends in the museum’s youth programs, thanks to a $25,000 grant from The Shortino Foundation. The funds will support free and subsidized registration for teens in three museum youth programs. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Immersive Mural Transforms Enormous Covered Entryway

November 30, 2017

Creativity is ignited every day inside the museum's purple walls. Now visitors' creative juices will be stoked as they approach the museum. Acclaimed multi-media artist Jaque Fragua of Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico is transforming the museum’s massive stucco covered-entry into a pallet of brightly colored imagery and bold symbols sparked from community input. The artist created the iconographic motifs based on design ideas submitted by 50 Rocketship Alma Academy 2nd – 5th grade students, EY corporate volunteers, and museum staff. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Mural-cle of a Makeover

The Mercury News
November 30, 2017

Big, bold, and bright. That's the best way to describe the museum's new mural. Using only the simplest of materials - paint, brushes, and rollers, the mural artists Jaque Fragua and curator Juan Carlos Araujo have transformed the museum's plain, stucco entryway into a stunningly beautiful and welcoming space celebrating creativity and community-building. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Registration Begins for Summer of Service Day Camp

February 14, 2018

Looking for options for your teen this summer? Summer of Service day camp may be just the answer. Registration is open for this nationally-recognized program that connects teens in grades 7 - 10 with volunteer opportunities. New this year is six, separate one-week sessions starting June 25 through August 3 for $300 each. Teens can sign up for one, two or all six weeks. With an emphasis on service and responsibility, participants have the option of selecting from five focus areas including community outreach activities, early childhood education, the environment, activities for museum visitors and media studio experience, and leadership development. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship

Teens Give Summer of Service High Marks

Los Gatos Weekly Times
July 20, 2017

Developing leadership skills, building empathy for others, and understanding community needs are just a few benefits of the award-winning service camp for teens grade 7 - 10th. In Summer of Service, teens connect to local nonprofits to volunteer their time, make a difference, and have fun. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship