Austin Children's Museum strives to make Museum experiences available to all in our community through its outreach activities. By providing Museum experiences to underserved audiences, ACM broadens its ability to equip and inspire the next generation of creative problem solvers. The following outreach programs are supported by the annual gifts of the ACM Clubhouse.
LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT To Go
The Museum takes this successful robotics after-school program to four area Title One Elementary schools in AISD during the academic year. Museum educators teach young students how to build and program their own robots while integrating learning about science, technology, engineering and math.
Family Learning Nights
In collaboration with local schools and community organizations, ACM introduces families from underserved communities to the Museum through Family Learning Nights. Through this initiative, ACM provides free bus transportation and Museum admission to low income families. Together, families discover new ideas in Museum exhibits and explore hands-on activities in topics like literacy, math and science.
Open Door Access
The Open Door Access program helps to ensure accessibility to the Museum for all audiences. ACM admits families to the Museum free of charge upon request, every Sunday from 4-5pm and is open for free will donations during Community Night Wednesdays from 5-8pm. Scholarships are also provided to Museum programs for visitors with limited resources. Over 40,000 children and families are served through the Open Door Access program each year.
Dia de los Niños-Dia de los Libros
Austin Children’s Museum reaches broader audiences by participating in community events annually. Dia de los Niños/Dia de los Libros (Day of the Child, Fesitval of Books) is Austin's only bilingual celebration of books, reading and family learning. ACM joins dozens of other community organizations to host activities at this festival held at the St. John Branch Library and Community Center in East Austin.