Scott Family Amazeum Launches Unfield Trip Experiences
BENTONVILLE, AR (October 5, 2015) Unfield Trips launched at the Scott Family Amazeum today, further fulfilling the museums mission of engaging the imaginations of children and their families.
As of the end of September, more than 22,000 school children were booked to visit the Amazeum through Unfield Trips in the 2015-16 school year, surpassing the goal of 20,000 for the school year.
The inaugural year of Unfield Trips is made possible in large part by the Walmart Foundation, which is funding the visits for children in Benton and Washington counties.
"A great example of fulfilling the Walmart Foundations strategy of increasing access to the arts and recreational activities is to bring the enriching experience of the Amazeum to more children in the community," said Tricia Moriarty, global responsibility communications director at Walmart.
Mindy Porter, director of education at the Amazeum, said that the first year of school visits is also a learning opportunity for the education staff at the museum.
Were using this first year to better understand how teachers and students use the Amazeum as a learning platform, said Porter. Well continually build a better experience and provide hands-on opportunities to bring classroom learning to life, or to spark a project. Well really take our lead from the educators and students that we serve.
That learning has started even before todays launch. Students and teachers from Willowbrook Elementary School in Bentonville have been putting the education team, floor staff, exhibits, programs, and even the building through its field trip paces. As part of the Declaration of Innovation signed by Bentonville Public Schools and the Scott Family Amazeum in May 2015, Willowbrook students are embarking upon a school year using the Amazeum as a learning platform across grades and subjects. Students are encouraged to share their projects with Amazeum staff who can implement those lessons in the museum.
We look forward to working with all of the schools in Northwest Arkansas to support learning, said Sam Dean, Scott Family Amazeum executive director. But this is also a two-way street. We know that we have a lot to learn about the Amazeum from our guests. After all, this museum didnt come with a set of instructions and a curriculum guide. Were all richer when we share those diverse perspectives.
The goal, according to Dean, is to have a continuously evolving experience that benefits students, teachers, schools, and all guests.
About the Scott Family Amazeum
The Scott Family Amazeum is a hands-on, interactive museum for children and families in Northwest Arkansas. The nearly 50,000-square-foot space, located at the intersection of J Street and Museum Way in Bentonville, engages the imagination of children and their families through hands-on activities and interactive exhibits. Experiences include a climbable tree canopy, indoor cave, an art studio, and more. Exhibitions extend to the museum grounds where approximately one acre of land provides the background for more learning and fun. The Amazeum also features indoor and outdoor event space. For additional information about the museum, visit amazeum.org.
