EdLab

A Texas Museum Educator Pea Finds Her Place in the Smithsonian Pod

My first three days in DC have been intensely impacted by all the folks from SI, the Pearson Foundation, workshop teachers and also people I have the joy to randomly connect with in museums, cafes, gift shops, metro stations, elevators and restrooms ( hey, there's always a line for the women's restroom, right?) . 

Mix that in with with being surrounded by one of the most densely packed 5 block collections of art and science museums on the planet; add a tightly wound, highly curious woman who tends to walk through an open door and test the door knob of a closed one. No, this is not a recipe for an explosive device, this is the journey of a museum educator who prefers labyrinths to career paths but wants concrete, sustainable results that touch people in a meaningful way.

What educational role should a museum play in a community? How do we collaborate with school systems without merely duplicating them? How do museums collaborate with each other? How can curatorial and education departments within museums team up in the process of building an exhibit together?  

These are the kinds of questions we are exploring together during my two week stay and I invite you to join us as I follow a " new yellow brick road" . Here's a fun image about being transplanted into a new environment....

 

 

East meets Southwest!

Not only is EdLab hosting 6 action-packed, edtech teacher workshops this summer, but we are also hosting two museum educators from the International Museum of Art and Science (IMAS) in McAllen, Texas! IMAS is a Smithsonian Affiliate that believes in taking its collections outside the museum by connecting to the local community. Through the partnership with EdLab, IMAS educators will be coming to DC to experience and help facilitate EdLab teacher workshops, then create a new series for IMAS based on the EdLab model and philosophy! Over the next school year, EdLab and IMAS will be implementing parallel programs and connecting our participants online. Who is going to create and lead innovative edtech workshops..?

Meet Susan Zwerling, IMAS' Director of Education and Public Programs!

Susan is a pea in the EdLab pod! She has been in her Director position leading the largest department in the museum since fall of 2010. Prior to that, she was in the education department for two years as a tour guide then as the Public Program Developer. She believes that technology is just one type of tool for learning and is looking forward to developing engaging workshops for her local teachers. Stay tuned for updates from Susan during her 2 week stay in DC!