Page 136 - Innovation Delaware 2019

Hagley Museum and Library
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200 Hagley Creek Road Wilmington, DE 19807 302.658.2400
hagley.org
LEADERS IN INNOVATION
134 DelawareBusinessTimes.com
The Innovative Science of Learning at Hagley
There’s a real science to learning at Hagley Museum and Library, and we’re helping to prepare the next generation of innovators. For many years, Hagley has offered science-focused events, such as Invention Convention. Now, three new programs at Hagley offer STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education to align with Dela- ware’s new Next Generation Science Standards for kindergarten through second grade, with more in development for older students.
The standards’ vision is to “ensure that all stu- dents will have the world class science educa- tion they need to succeed and support our state’s economy at globally competitive levels,” according to the Delaware Department of Edu- cation website. The standards’ mission is to use critical thinking and inquiry-based problem- solving to teach strong science-based skills. By interrelating knowledge across science fields, students develop a coherent and scientifically based view of the world.
Hagley provides the perfect setting to inspire innovation as the first location of the DuPont
Company. Its early industrial setting, featur-
ing a functioning water power system on the Brandywine, provides the unique opportunity to meld watershed stewardship with engineer- ing practices. Here, for more than 100 years, the gunpowder manufacturing process was con- tinually refined to produce superior products.
In an environment outside of school, students can see how learning applies to the big picture. By providing resources, expertise and connec- tion outside the classroom, Hagley is com- mitted to supporting educators tasked with implementing the standards with expanded programming for elementary to middle school students, especially for educators without a science background.
A standards-aligned middle school unit on ecology is in the works. Its goal is to increase student interest in the natural world and attract them to careers, hobbies and lifestyles that benefit the Delaware ecosystem.
To find out more about Hagley’s science program- ming, visit www.hagley.org/education or contact Tanya Looney, the education and interpretation program manager, at tlooney@hagley.org.