Media Room Strategic Initiative General Museum

Nature NOW! Bill’s Backyard Opens Oct. 29

Red Tricycle
October 22, 2017

Go outside and play. This sentiment is often at odds with the valley's tech-heavy culture, especially in the Bay Area. To encourage kids to put down their devices and engage with the outdoors, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose recently doubled its exhibit space to add a new outdoor exhibit, Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature, and it’s the tree house and dig pit of childhood dreams. Every detail was meticulously planned from the living roof on the junior ranger station to the life-sized bronze animals hidden throughout the exhibit. Learn More

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

Seventy-five Charming Third Graders Help Dedicate Bill’s Backyard

The Mercury News
October 20, 2017

The same kids who tossed seeds into a patch of dirt last November burst through a commemorative ribbon and helped dedicate the museum's new outdoor space, Bill's Backyard: Bridge to Nature, on Thursday. Mayor Sam Liccardo, Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager, and representatives from the visionary donors including Open Space Authority Santa Clara County, the California Coastal Conservancy, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, and Agilent Technologies were among many who were on-hand to mark the occasion and speak about the importance of this new outdoor learning environment to children and the entire region. Learn More

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

Low Tech High Thrills at the Purple Museum

South Bay Accent
October 15, 2017

Executive Director Marilee Jennings talks with South Bay Accent about everything from the early days of the museum to the latest and largest capital project since opening in 1990 - Bill's Backyard. San Jose's newest outdoor learning environment is primed for hours of exploration, discovery, and creativity for all ages, especially inquisitive youngsters. Learn More

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

Executive Director Marilee Jennings Talks with Bay Area Focus

KBCW Bay Area Focus
October 8, 2017

Marilee Jennings joined Michelle Griego, host of KBCW's "Bay Area Focus," to talk about Bill's Backyard and why the museum is venturing outdoors with a half-acre outdoor learning environment focused on environmental and science learning - and, of course, lots of discovery and exploration for children and families. Learn More

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

Chain Reaction, Domino Topple Record Broken

ABC 7
April 14, 2017

As part of Question Quest week and the museum's strategic commitment to Science Learning, visitors witnessed the Flashdomino team break a California record toppling 25,000 dominoes and more than 300 chain reaction steps. Learn More

Creativity through the Arts, General Museum, Science Learning

Children’s Discovery Museum Soars

Bay Area For Sale
September 5, 2017

Two moms with a big dream. This determined combination launched what has become a trusted community resource for families and a beacon of fun for all - Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. The iconic purple museum located in the heart of downtown San Jose in Discovery Meadow welcomes more than 400,000 people each year. Learn More

General Museum

Museum is Living Laboratory for University Researcher

University of Santa Cruz News Center
September 1, 2017

How do children learn? Development psychologist Maureen Callahan's life work is understanding the various factors that shape how a child learns. Nearly 20 years ago the University of California at Santa Cruz and the museum formed a partnership to study how children and families engage in science learning. It's been a mutually beneficial relationship since day one. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Learning Research, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Common Ground Program Gives Voice to Immigrants

China Daily USA
August 1, 2017

Immigrants from China, Mexico, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam shared their experiences and cultural heritage during one of three dinners as part of the museum's innovative Common Ground gatherings. The year-long, grant-funded program designed to connect people from different backgrounds and encourage sharing and understanding amongst diverse immigrant communities will culminate in an art project to be displayed throughout the South Bay. Learn More

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

Kim DeCarlis and Paul Smith Join Board of Directors

October 4, 2016

Kim DeCarlis, chief marketing officer at Imperva, and Paul Smith, partner of Bain & Company, have joined the board of directors of the award-winning museum. They'll serve with a distinguished roster of 28 professionals from a variety of industries and backgrounds for one of the largest museums of its kind in the country. Learn More

General Museum, Partnerships & Resource Development

Museum Receives Top Honors

August 23, 2016

The museum garnered three prestigious awards for its transparency and popularity: the Platinum GuideStar Nonprofit Profile Seal of Transparency and two “Best of the Best” awards from Bay Area Parent magazine. Learn More

General Museum

Educating and Entertaining for 25 Years

The Mercury News
July 8, 2015

The purple museum takes a look back at how it all began 25 years ago with two passionate moms and one big idea. Learn More

General Museum