Children Across Cultures
Our Featured Exhibits Transform the Museum from Top to Bottom
One of our most popular field trip programs, Children Across Cultures, introduces students to the ways in which children around the world accomplish the tasks of daily life, emphasizing our human similarities while giving the students a chance to handle objects, try on costumes, and imagine differences between their own experience and that of the 95% of the world’s population who live in other parts of the world!
The Chinese New Year
Our Educational Programming Aligns with Core Curriculum Standards
The Chinese New Year program focuses on the traditions, values, and beliefs of the Chinese people as they celebrate this important festival, which starts in February and lasts fifteen days with two months of preparation. It is also celebrated in many regions of Asia such as in Vietnam where it is called Tet. Students explore the Chinese New Year through artifacts such as Chinese lanterns, lions, and dragons while analyzing their meaning within the festival and the lives of the Chinese people. Books and crafts are used to further explore these themes!
Seasonal Programs
We Still Offer All of Your Old Favorites
Seasonal programs include The Day of the Dead in Mexico a national holiday in which the Mexican people prepare for at the end of October when it is believed that the souls of the dead return to be fed once a year. It is a festival that is celebrated with love and humor. Altars are set up and examined which include photographs of deceased family members, toys, objects the person enjoyed and favorite foods such as oranges, sugar skulls, bread, and apples. Students then decorate sugar skulls of their own.
Games from Around the World
The Mariposa is for High School Students Too
Games from Around the World is a fun and educational program, which introduces games from many countries that can be played by both children and adults. Participants will learn of the origins and to play games like Nim, Mancala, Achi, and Tangram. Some of these games date back thousands of years and are still played today!