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. To add your local school or community group to the invitation list, call 512-472-2499 x213.
After-School Multimedia Outreach
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See more flying bat animations
designed by kids! |
Through a Dell Foundation grant, ACM provides hands-on computer instruction to Austin city youth at the Dell Wired for Youth Centers in Austin Public Libraries in target zip codes. Each year, over 600 children ages 6-12 participate in project based learning of software programs including web design and computer animation. Check out the online gallery of children’s multimedia creations!
Children’s Hospital Partnership
Striving to provide meaningful diversions to Children’s Hospital patients, this monthly program presents hands-on science, art and literacy activities which build upon themes represented within Museum exhibits.
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.
Community Events
Austin Children’s Museum reaches broader audiences by participating in several local community events annually that promote literacy, science and engineering to young audiences.