Education – What’s Happening!
New Field Trip Programs
Super Kids Save the World! (Classic Tour)
This new, powerful, “green” exhibit encourages environmental literacy as students learn to become eco-friendly super heroes in their own communities. Super Kids Save the World will help students understand the importance of their interaction with the environment, empowering them to make a difference in their world! All students visiting on Classic field trip tours also enjoy exploring the original science-focused areas of the museum.
Kitchen Detectives Lab Clean Green
(Science Detectives Tour)
The newest Kitchen Detectives lab encourages science literacy as students use the scientific method to conduct an experiment identifying the best crime scene “green” cleaner, an experience that’s sure to prove crime scene clean-up has never been so much fun! In addition, students visiting on Science Detectives tours are challenged to use science inquiry to solve the Mystery of the Missing Masterpieces as they explore the Can You Solve the Mystery exhibit and hidden Forensic Lab.
New Outreach Program
Force and Motion
Newton’s laws come to life with this hands-on approach to learning the basics of force and motion. Experience the effects of friction and gravity on objects in motion. Explore contact and non-contact forces, the basics of inertia, and discover how potential and kinetic energy affect a marble’s average velocity.
Fantastic Physics
Predict and observe what happens when air, water, energy and sound work alone and with other substances. The remarkable reactions illustrate physics in action, including an incredible shrinking marshmallow, a glove that waves itself and packing peanuts that disappear!
Water Wonders
Put on your raincoat, push up your umbrella and wade through a storm of wet and wild experiments! Find out how liquid can defy gravity, experience shower power, learn how paper can stay dry under water, and discover even more watery wonders.
New Staff Development Programs
Force, Motion and Simple Machines
With little effort teachers will grasp an understanding of Newton’s basic laws of motion and the effect they have on the world around us. This hands-on approach will cover the basics of balanced and unbalanced forces, the effects of friction and gravity and how force and motion play a part in the workings of simple machines.
Going Green
It’s easy to go green with this new environmental awareness program. Through hands-on experience, teachers will learn how to teach students about the importance of recycling, ways to re-use everyday materials and other ways to preserve the planet and its natural resources.
PNC Preschool Programs
The Magic House is proud to partner with PNC to give disadvantaged young children a great start in learning! PNC Preschool Programs offer these educational programs free of charge for early childhood educators,preschool students, and families of preschoolers:
Storytime Science and Math
This professional development workshop offers suggestions on how to bring science, math and children’s literature connections into the preschool classroom.
(Free workshops for teachers in 10 qualifying schools)A Little Bit of Arts and Science Family Nights
A little bit of art and science goes a long way in this hands-on program that brings parents and preschoolers together for an evening full of discovery, exploration and fun.
(Free family nights for 20 qualifying schools)Sense-ational Science
In this interactive science experience, Magic House educators visit preschool classrooms to present a hands-on exploration of sight, sound, touch and smell.
(Free outreach programs for 20 qualifying schools)
Special Discounts
Fall Field Trip Special – September and October 2010
The Magic House is offering a $3.00 admission fee for every student and accompanying adult on a reserved field trip tour during the months of September and October. Make your reservations early before this good buy sells out. (Regular field trip price is $5.75)
Fall Outreach Special – October and November 2010
Half-price for daytime outreach programs scheduled for the months of October and November. Review the many programs available by visiting Outreach Programs.
Kids Can Help – November 2010
It is better to give than to receive. During November, each student and adult who donates a can of food will receive FREE admission when visiting on a reserved Classic or Science Detectives field trip tour. All canned foods will be donated to the St. Louis Area Foodbank.
Read All About It! – November 2010
Donate a NEW READ ALOUD book for children under 5 and receive FREE admission when visiting on a A Little Bit of Magic reserved tour. One book per person is required. Books will be donated to Ready Readers, a program for young children from low-income communities. Please note: NO chapter books, textbooks, activity books, workbooks, sticker books, or coloring books can be accepted for FREE admission.
Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees
(FREE Teacher Workshop and Field Trip)
This October workshop is designed to assist teachers in preparing students to participate in the Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees financial literacy field trip program and provide ideas on integrating economic education into the classroom. Attendance at the FREE teacher workshop grants each teacher a FREE field trip! Find more details in Staff Development.
Sponsored by the Wachovia Wells Fargo Foundation.
An Evening with Ben Franklin
(FREE Teacher Workshop and Field Trip)
To celebrate the first meeting of Congress in Washington, D.C., November 17, 1800, Ben Franklin one of our most beloved founding fathers, is hosting a FREE grand soiree at The Magic House on Wednesday, November 17, 2010 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Ben (played by renowned actor Alan Prewitt) will share witty conversation, provocative insight into the founding of our country, a guided tour of the Star-Spangled Center and last but not least, his favorite wines and cheeses! This special event, for classroom teachers Grades K-8, will afford everyone attending a FREE civic education field trip to our Star-Spangled Center! Did you know Ben Franklin hosted the first lottery? A lottery that night will award a limited number of classrooms the opportunity for Ben himself to visit their school! Teachers should register in groups of 2 or more and attendance is limited to 100. Add yourself to the guest list by contacting the Education Department: educationinfo@magichouse.org or 314.822.8900, ext.13.
New Year Special – January 2011
Ring in the New Year at The Magic House! Schools visiting on a reserved field trip tour during January will be admitted for a special admission rate of $3 per person.
Springtime Special – May 2011
Bargains are bursting out all over during the month of May when the admission rate of A Little Bit of Magic guided tour is reduced to $4.75 per person.