Bay Area Discovery Museum Blog

Last March, author Dan Pink spoke at our Discovery Forum about how to prepare children for their future, not our past, using examples from his bestselling book A Whole New Mind. He's now released special guides for educators and business for this book. These guides pose provocative questions, including:

• Do you agree with what Pink argues about the importance of play for learning and creating?
• How innate are the six abilities (Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning) Pink talks about? Can these abilities be taught or strengthened?
• What do you think of Pink’s assertion that “meaning is the new money”? How does your organization create meaning for its customers? For its employees?

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The Bay Area Discovery Museum is a children's museum with 7.5 acres of indoor/outdoor exhibitions just under the Golden Gate Bridge. We're unique - just like our visitors. So which of our exhibitions are you? Take our Facebook quiz to find out! While you're there - become our Facebook fan! continue reading

If you would like to do rewarding work supporting the Bay Area Discovery Museum, meet new friends and have fun too, consider joining the Discovery Council. The Discovery Council is the Museum’s all volunteer fund-raising auxiliary which organizes annual events in support of the Museum’s programs and exhibitions. We look for energetic people who are able to contribute their time, talent and resources to the three fund-raising events we sponsor each year. This is an opportunity to help an institution and make a difference. As a Discovery Council member you must commit to the following:

1. Serve a minimum of three years
2. Attend monthly meetings at the Museum
3. Serve on an event committee and attend two of the three council events; Goblin Jamboree, Discovery Forum and the Playdate Gala.
   
4. Maintain a $160 Anchor level museum membership or higher. ($125 tax-deductible)

For more information, contact Jackie Broad, jackie_broad@yahoo.com.  New Member Orientation is September 3rd. continue reading

When you buy or renew an Anchor membership ($160), you will receive a free Museum lunch box full of summertime goodies. The Anchor level membership offers early registration for camps and special events, a guest pass for a family of five, two performance tickets, plus admission for six and reciprocal benefits. The passes, along with other summertime surprises, are included in your own metal lunch box. This offer is only valid for Anchor memberships purchased in person at the Front Desk and only while supplies last. continue reading

Summertime Rock Out - Table Head Summertime Rock Out - The Fire Shooters Last week, the morning and afternoon sessions of the Summertime Rock Out camp each created their own bands, wrote a song, and performed it before a sold-out crowd of parents, family and friends. Ably led by Paco, Brian and Lynn, the rockers learned the all important "rock salute", tried out real instruments (electic guitar, keyboard, drums!), listened to classic songs by rockers Fleetwood Mac, Led Zepplin, Fugazi and the Beatles, created an album cover and more. Meanwhile, the Super Heroes and Heroines created their own world-saving personas, made their own crime-fighting costumes, and created a tale of derring-do to share with their parents, family and friends. Campers in Ecological Art, Clay Play, On the Bay and Treasure Hunt played, discovered and created all week as well. Check out the photos on our Flickr camps page. Sound like fun? Sessions are still available! continue reading

Our new exhibition Children of Hangzhou: Connecting with China opened last weekend - and lots of kids are enjoying exploring, discovering, immersing, imagining and connecting in the exhibit! continue reading

Welcome campers! Summer Discovery Camps start today, including Summer Time Rock Out, Ecological Arts, Clay Play, On the Bay and more! Our instructors use a multidisciplinary approach of stories, games, guided activities and free exploration of the Museum environment to enhance the camp experience. Our camps are designed to create a positive social environment, including developing communication skills and self reliance all while having fun and exploring the topic of choice. Play is kid's work! For example, in Summer Time Rock Out, campers will write lyrics, design an album cover, play real instruments, and record a CD. This curriculum introduces children to musical skills, graphic design, creative writing, and collaboration. Parents, siblings and friends will be invited to a CD release party at the end of the week! There are still spaces available for preschoolers in many camps - plus when you register for an AM and a PM camp you save $25! Call (415) 339-3931 to register.
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