Media Room Strategic Initiative Exhibition Development

Nature Inspired Space Opens at Purple Museum

Bay Nature Magazine
September 25, 2017

Come play outside. That's what the museum hopes families will want to do in Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature, the new outdoor exhibit space. It's intentionally designed as a hybrid between a playground and a nature park, where children can choose their own adventures, and parents can feel comfortable letting them. The half-acre exhibit includes large tree-shaped structures connected by sky bridges, a grassy hill and slide, a dig pit, and a fort-building area suitable for forts or fairy gardens. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, Science Learning

Bestselling Author and Nature Advocate Richard Louv to Help Dedicate Bill’s Backyard

September 19, 2017

Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature, San Jose's newest outdoor learning environment, will double the museum’s current exhibit space and provide endless opportunities for fun and learning with a focus on environmental and science education. Bestselling author and chairman emeritus of Children & Nature Network Richard Louv will give the keynote address at the dedication on Thursday, October 19 at 11 a.m. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo will speak about the museum’s leading role in making San Jose a nature-rich city for all children. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Science Learning

Marilee Jennings Shares Vision for Outdoor Expansion

Content Magazine
July 1, 2017

Executive Director Marilee Jennings shares her vision for Bill's Backyard: Bridge to Nature - the museum's new outdoor learning environment opening in October. After 26 years, the museum is bursting through its purple walls and connecting kids to nature with outdoor play and environmental and science education. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, Science Learning

Popular Children’s Museum Heading Outdoors

NBC Bay Area 11
November 16, 2016

More than 100 first graders tossed seeds into the bare ground in preparation for the construction of Bill's Backyard: Bridge to Nature. This new space will connect kids to nature for fun and learning with a lookout tower, fort building area, a dig pit, a tree climbing structure linked with a suspension bridge and much more. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, Science Learning

Rare Tree of 40 Fruit to Receive First Graft

August 17, 2016

The only Tree of 40 Fruit on the West Coast will receive its first graft today at Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. Environmental artist and professor Sam Van Aiken created this remarkable work of art that will produce 40 different types of stone fruit for museum visitors. Learn More

Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, Science Learning