Feature F
Rochester’s SPARK Museum: Impacting Children of All Ages By Maura Keller
“Our focus is on creating interactive experiences that are full of variety; the museum is a frequent stop for young children and their families to explore and learn through powerful play,” Hemker says. “The museum remains committed to ensuring that all families, regardless of financial barriers, have access to our museum and its extensive programming.”
Kids of all ages can explore and enjoy the variety of interactive exhibits at the SPARK Museum.
Specifically, SPARK provides a place where visitors can learn about STEAM, cultural connectedness, and health and well-being in a collaborative, open environment. Since opening in its new location in August 2020 at Apache Mall, the museum has welcomed over 60,000 visitors. The museum has also welcomed 15 field trips from local schools and organizations, had 52 grandparents’ days with free admission encouraging intergenerational learning, offered an average of 48 programs per month, given over 400 community play passes to qualifying families in the community, given over 1,000 books during summer literacy program, had first free Sundays allowing free access to SPARK for everyone in the community welcoming over 1,900 visitors, provided 12 Discovery Play nights supporting individuals from the community with disabilities, and doubled its membership in their first year. SPARK has become a community anchor and cornerstone for the region’s children, especially now where the importance of safely interacting and connecting with people is even more important. “We will be needed more than ever when we open this summer to provide a safe and accessible space promoting lifelong learning, cultural enrichment, and civic engagement,” Hemker says. “We are a connector for the community by bringing children,
K ids have long been captivated by interactive role playing and hands-on exhibits. Thanks to Rochester’s SPARK Museum, young and old alike are given ample opportunities for interactive experiences that keep them coming back for more. Exploration Aplenty From exploring a STEM-focused water table to experiencing a three-dimensional vertical maze testing agility, speed, and power, to interacting with an exhibit celebrating the cultural richness of our community’s diversity through food, clothing, play, and stories, the SPARK museum is a perfect way to combine family fun with educational growth. SPARK’s mission is to enrich the lives of young learners by creating shared, interactive experiences that engage people of all ages in the joy of play, the power of learning, and a sense of community. Lindsey Hemker, development manager, at the SPARK Museum, explains the museum is a one-of-a-kind institution with essential resources that strengthens thousands of children, families, and educators throughout Minnesota.
Advantage Magazine | 5
December 2021
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker