Online Educational Programming Serves Tens of Thousands, Reaches Nationwide from Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine
Maine Youth Playwriting Challenge Online
One month after temporarily closing its doors to the public on March 13th, the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine reports that it has served nearly 30,000 children, families, and teachers with free online educational programming. Recognizing the need to serve families who are sheltering in place and teachers who are adapting to online curriculum, Museum & Theatre educators have adapted their experiential programs in natural science, theater, and art and engineering challenges to daily livestreaming platforms. Mirroring the Museum & Theatre’s normal geographic diversity, families from Presque Isle to Biddeford and from Massachusetts to Arizona have participated.
“Although online programming is not something that we offered previously, we pivoted quickly. Now, we’re glad that we did - we are hearing from parents that we are supporting them in the challenge of educating their children, and providing a bright spot in their day. We are also hearing from teachers who are using these programs as an additional teaching tool for their students. We've even been featured in national reviews of trusted virtual field trips to museums," said Executive Director Julie Butcher Pezzino.
MakerSpace Challenge
Education and Theatre Director Reba Askari added, “We have had more than two dozen young students participate in our Maine Youth Playwriting Challenge, from ages 8 to 15. Several young playwrights have completed their plays and we are now holding virtual readings to debut their stories.”
To access the dozens of free, online educational programs at the Children’s Museum & Theatre of Maine, please see them archived at www.kitetails.org/online or to catch them when livestreaming, see those upcoming on the events page www.kitetails.org/events.