MUSEUM MAKING CONNECTIONS

Museum Making Connections: Tri-State Elementaries was developed to bring the Museum to the Tri-State’s schools, many of which are located in remote areas. An HMA Teaching Artist travels to second grade classes in counties surrounding the museum. They utilize a media program incorporating images of objects in the Museum’s collection to engage the students in discussion about the elements of art and principles of design. This is followed by hands-on art-making, giving each student the opportunity to creatively express themselves. All TSE programming supports state standards in education and addresses 21stCentury Learning Skills, which have been recognized by West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio as critical to a child’s intellectual development. These skills involve learning how to use knowledge – by thinking critically, applying knowledge to new situations, analyzing information, comprehending new ideas, and making decisions.

The second-graders engage in a STEAM project integrating science, technology, engineering, art and math. By supporting State Standards for curricula content and addressing the 21st Century Learning Skills noted above, our outreach programs are committed to supporting area teachers as they work to meet those standards and teach those skills.

This program is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the West Virginia Commission on the Arts.