Museums are a great resource for promoting education and community development. Here at the Museum of the Great Plains, one of the ways we encourage learning and help build a sense of community is through our summer program "Footprints Through Time". Designed for children ages 6-11, this course brings together kids from around Lawton to learn about nature through art. The "Footprints" classroom is located in the museum's exhibit hall, providing a unique kid-friendly learning environment. In addition to their arts and crafts projects, kids have the opportunity to learn about southwestern Oklahoma's history through touring the museum's exhibits and exploring the museum grounds.
This past week in “Footprints Through Time”, the kids learned all about Australia. The “Footprints” instructor Faye Barnes taught the children about the unique animals in Australia, such as the kangaroo, koala bear and the duck-billed platypus. The “Footprints” curriculum
emphasizes learning by doing and the kids had plenty of opportunities to be creative and get their hands dirty. Projects included molding animals, bowls and beads out of salt dough and creating a 3-D map of Australia using cardboard, clay and paint. Each child gets to take
their creations home with them at the end of the week, once they’ve finished drying.
After a short break for a healthy snack, the kids have an opportunity to run around and work off some energy. This Friday the kids got to play with “Speed”, a new interactive exhibit here at the museum where visitors can learn about energy and motion. Guests can build and race
their own model cars, design a roller-coaster, make a movie or challenge each other on the Horsepower Bike.
To register your child for “Footprints through Time” or to learn about other summer programs and upcoming events at the Museum of the Great Plains, visit our website at museumgreatplains.org
Nena
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