National Children's Museum

National Children's Museum announces aramco as the new sponsor of their Tinkering Corner. The significant grant will sustain and strengthen the institution's "creative hub," significantly expanding the number of workshops and programs produced in the Tinkering Corner over the next year and giving guests an ever-evolving space to explore, create, and build confidence through tinkering. Learn more in the press release at https://lnkd.in/dVajfC7q.

Yesterday's President Circle Summit was an engaging and inspiring gathering focused on the importance and impact of tinkering and maker-based opportunities in early education. Our Practitioner panel—featuring Rebecca Grabman, Adam Maltese, Chitra Sharma, Jasmine L. Thompson, and moderated by Annalise Phillips—broke down what it means to create maker spaces, from hosting an environment that effectively fosters open-ended creativity to ways adults can approach hands-on learning with little ones that reflect the ethos of "learning from failure.” Our industry panel—including David L. Dimmett, EdD, Brittany Greer, Ted (Theodore) W., and moderated by Kiryn Hoffman—explained navigating the industry landscape, showcasing the thought and strategy behind sustaining hands-on learning initiatives as well as providing hopeful examples of what they're experiencing across our country today. Throughout it all, we got our own hands busy at activity stations led by our very own Practitioner panelists, meeting one another, discussing ideas, and experiencing what it means to tinker. Thank you to State Senator Cory McCray for starting our event off with an inspiring fireside chat, to all of our expert speakers, and to all of our changemaker attendees! We look forward to sifting through the many wonderful points, ideas, and action items discussed. Key takeaways on how we can all participate in building a culture of tinkering coming soon! Learn more about our President's Circle offerings at https://lnkd.in/dNQWtsCE

President + CEO Kiryn Hoffman joined Sunni And The City on WHUR 96.3 FM HD1 to discuss the impact of tinkering and maker education on a young learner's development.   Kiryn joins experts with museum, policy, education, and business backgrounds for a deep dive into this topic at our President's Circle Summit, "Building a Culture of Tinkering," on Tuesday, October 6. There's still time to reserve your free registration and be a part of this important conversation. Learn more and register at: https://lnkd.in/dwE5Xs3i

We are only days away from our President’s Circle summit, “Building a Culture of Tinkering: How Museums and Corporations Can Transform Education,” on October 6. There's still time to claim your free registration!   The event features two panel-based deep dives into what it takes to build and sustain a culture of tinkering in early education. Our industry panel, “Investing In Innovation + Child Agency,” explores how corporations and industries can invest in the creation and impact of maker spaces, analyzes the current gaps in funding practices that may leave out the support of tinkering education, and ultimately how entities seeking support for their maker initiatives can build and scale proposals that align with giving priorities.   Meet the leaders behind this perspective:   🔹David L. Dimmett, EdD, President + CEO, Project Lead The Way 🔹Brittany Greer, Founder + Executive Director, Rosie Riveters 🔹Ted (Theodore) W., Co-CEO, STEMCONNECTOR 🔹Kiryn Hoffman (moderator), President + CEO, National Children’s Museum   Learn more and register for free: https://lnkd.in/dBp4hyJG

Just announced! Senator Cory McCray will open our first President’s Circle summit, “Building a Culture of Tinkering: How Museums and Corporations Can Transform Education,” on October 6 with a fireside chat.   Senator McCray understands the value of hands-on learning firsthand, rising from electrical apprentice to journeyman electrician, becoming the only member of the Maryland General Assembly to have completed a registered apprenticeship. His lived experience continues to shape his work in workforce development, education, and economic mobility.   Senator McCray joins President + CEO Kiryn Hoffman in discussing how policy and government can expand access to hands-on learning, and challenge guests to think beyond traditional educational boundaries and build toward a shared vision: an educational ecosystem where every child has the opportunity to engage in maker and tinker experiences and develop the confidence to become tomorrow’s changemakers.   Interested in joining the conversation? Learn more about the President's Circle summit and register here: https://lnkd.in/etHB_ASG

Meet our Practitioners, one of two expert-led panels anchoring our October 6 President's Circle summit, “Building a Culture of Tinkering: How Museums and Corporations Can Transform Education.”   Hear from these leading practitioners who have dedicated their careers to designing and expanding access to meaningful maker and tinkering experiences for children in education, museum, and cultural contexts. In "What It Takes To Create Trial-And-Error Environments," they’ll draw on firsthand experiences, sharing what it takes, in practice, to create environments where children feel free to take risks, learn from failure, and build confidence and curiosity through discovery.   Here are the voices shaping that conversation:   🔹Rebecca Grabman, Manager of Maker Education, Children's Museum of Pittsburgh 🔹Adam Maltese, Professor of Science Education, Indiana University  🔹Chitra Sharma, Artist + Tinkerer-in-Residence, National Children's Museum 🔹Jasmine L. Thompson, STEAM Education Manager at MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation 🔹Annalise Phillips (moderator), Vice President of Learning + Access, National Children's Museum   Learn more about this event and register at : https://lnkd.in/dG6bT4_5.

Big news from our President’s Circle: our events are now free and open to all, a reflection of our ongoing commitment to access and impact. The future of early learning depends on having many voices at the table. Next up, we host a President’s Circle summit, “Building a Culture of Tinkering: How Museums and Corporations Can Transform Education,” on October 6. Join us as we talk tinkering and what it takes to build spaces where kids can safely take risks, fail, and try again. This summit aims to raise awareness and drive dialogue around maker practices and how they can be further integrated into learning environments nationwide. Guests will hear from leaders across education, museum, business, and cultural organizations in a conference-style program. A fireside chat sets the scene for two riveting panels, one exploring designing and implementing trial-and-error environments, and the second analyzing industry’s role in supporting such initiatives. There will also be opportunities to experience tinkering firsthand with demonstrations led by our expert panelists. Learn more and register to be part of the conversation: https://lnkd.in/d2t5GzvE

Chitra Sharma is the Museum's first-ever Tinkerer-in-Residence, and she's been leading us in creative and inspiring workshops showcasing the art of printmaking! We chatted with Chitra to learn a little bit more about her, her process, and what she's looking forward to with the rest of her residency! Visit our website to learn about upcoming Tinkerer-in-Residence workshops: https://bit.ly/3Swhdpe

Joyful learning is not just for children! We are all lifelong learners. This upcoming event featuring Museum board member Sophie Shrand is a perfect example of how fun experiences, laughter, and play are effective ways of expanding your knowledge and understanding of the world, even as an adult. Best of luck with this great event, Sophie! 

We're excited to announce National Children's Museum is now accepting applications for our 2026 Artist Residency Program! We're seeking a DC-area artist who can draw inspiration from the Museum's exhibits and programming, creating hands-on experiences that thoughtfully integrate art and STEM learning while engaging children and families. This paid year-long residency begins in September 2026 and consists of leading on-site and community art-STEM workshops, the creation of an inspiring installation, working directly with DC educators, and more.   Applications are open now through August 28, 2026. Are you ready to create, inspire, and engage? Learn more at the official request for applications: https://lnkd.in/d4CDzRUJ