ALA Museum Day - Sept. 22, 2004

Today the ALA group (returning) came to the museum. THe plan on the day was to introduce MINDFEST, the kids' role during MINDFEST, and also introduce them to the idea of hacking, or making something new and cool out of different materials. The tool of the day was a drinking straw. The kids were encouraged in the same ways that the PANTHER group was, and since we had a large enough group, we were able to break them up into 4 smaller groups to explore all the straw hacking possible. Many of the kids took a simple idea, like the straw rocket and instruments, and completely made them their own creations. (SAAFIR will have these pictures up soon.) Discussions of Mindfest went well - we discussed the different aspects of playshops and how the returning students will be expected to help staff the events, the playshops, and the wandering floor exhibits, like Melon Harp. Good day today, the kids were very engaged in the activity, and we talked to them about next week dividing up in to the same groups to take some of these straw explorations onto the museum floor. It will be their first visitor interaction time since we began the new year. Also, we decided that we will be doing 2 away days at ALA, one on tuesday and one on thursday, because some of the kids can't make it on one or the other. We will have to do this anyway when we get new students in the program, so starting now with the 2 days a week will be a good thing. Saafir, Bill, and Jonathon were involved here. Joyce Baker also accompanied the kids to the studio time.