The Learning Center proved to be the perfect venue for hands-on activities
when the Museum hosted two days of the Pier Aquarium's summer camps.
Volunteer teacher, Michiru Shibata, a Ph.D. candidate in Math from USF,
excited the kids with her fish origami projects so much, the class went
overtime. The campers did not want to leave. Museum staff member Victoria
Smith Held, took the opportunity to show kids our collection of the fish
paintings created by Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.) commissioned
artist A.P. J. Burns. In another class, Connie Kone, board member and
educator, challenged the kids to imagine how Native Americans built canoes
back then.
Aside from Summer Camps, Lectures and Community Classes on subjects like
Genealogy and Scrap-booking Techniques are some of the activities lined-up
for the Learning Center.
The Learning Center debuted to a packed audience at the opening of the
"Haunted History" Exhibit. It was the perfect setting for the ghost stories
told by Deborah Fretham and Brandy Stark. Although a work in progress, big
plans are underway for the Learning Center. Through donations, a wall that
will keep the noise out and secure the space will be built to enclose the
Center. Using the seed money received from Progress Energy, the Center will
be equipped with computers. In addition to, aviation simulation and
educational websites, young visitors will be able to enjoy computer Role
Playing Games at the Center. Kids will learn history and values like
tolerance and civic responsibility by being able to assume the identity and
live the lives, albeit through computer simulation, of people who have lived
in the past.
Through the Learning Center, the Museum not only offers a glimpse of the
past, it gives visitors the chance to travel back in time.
George Banez, Ph.D.
Education Curator
