Baltimore Childrens Museum Inc

Programs: Port discovery is a catalyst for helping children develop a passion for lifelong learning and is a valuable educational and cultural resource serving children, caregivers and educators throughout the region. Children are engaged in play-to-learn activities and programs that promote their physical, social, intellectual growth and well-being. The educational concept "play equals learning," underscored in current research, is demonstrated daily. The museum served over 260,000 guests from diverse backgrounds, including over 33,000 school children and chaperones. Summer, in-school and after-school programs for children primarily from title i schools, primarily off site, resulted in over 11,000 visits. (see schedule o for continuation. )the museum collaborates with community-based organizations throughout the state to ensure access and awareness of programs offered. Programs and exhibits actively support and complement the maryland state curriculum. Programs offered include: early childhood learning activities, multi-disciplinary programs for the entire family, hosting of nationally respected traveling exhibits, and curriculum enhancing school programs and community based initiatives which are created with partner social service organizations to meet the needs of special constituencies. Through its outreach program, the museum serves children and families throughout the state. Programs offering free or reduced admission and providing opportunities for under-served, economically disadvantaged and special needs populations include: edventures, an award winning after-school program; stem ventures; countdown to kindergarten; discovery days; healthy first saturdays; and family access and school access programs. The museum received donated legal and consulting services valued at $45,410. Other individuals, whose services were not valued because they could not be measured objectively, volunteered approximately 3,900 hours of their time.