Passport to Discovery!

Join us at the Garden State Discovery Museum as we take off on adventures in far away places! We will be hosting many magnificent multi-cultural events starting January through the end of April, so check our calendar to get your hands on the fun!

Meet the Team!

Mónica O’Malley
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS MANAGER
Just when you thought you could tell something about a person by their name! As Irish sounding as her name may be, Ms. O’Malley comes to us from St. Paul, Minnesota via Colombia, South America and Mullica Hill, NJ. Born in and adopted from Bogotá to a Colombian mom and Irish-American dad, Mónica grew up  in South Jersey, not 30 miles from the Museum. Mónica’s  love of others’ cultures sparked her work with the award-winning children’s theatre company, CLIMB Theatre of the Twin Cities. It is this passion for working with children and desire to foster acceptance and enthusiasm for diverse cultures that Monica brings to the Museum. She hopes that you, too, will find complete joy in our “Passport to Discovery” programming over the next four months. Each weekend we will journey around the world to learn a little bit more about the diversity that surrounds us each and every day.

Christina Hopkins
FLOOR MANAGER
Have you ever been to a birthday party at the Garden State Discovery Museum or enjoyed a mini science experiment in the Subaru Science Shop? If so, you are experiencing first hand what Tina Hopkins puts into play every day. You will see her bustling around, orienting groups, greeting people at the front desk or helping tiny shoppers in the Discovermore Toy Store. Tina’s shining personality and friendly smile are as regular here as the Bubble Trouble exhibit. Tina has been working at the Museum for two years while also attending Rutgers University, where her major is Childhood Studies. She has been our Floor Manager since September, overseeing staff and schedules and designing all kinds of interesting floor programs to enhance our visitors’ and members’ museum experiences.  Together Monica and Tina lead the Museum’s Education department and are the driving force behind all the great programs, classes and performers the Garden State Discovery Museum is famous for!

Try the new FoodWerx Café at The Discovery Museum!

You asked, we answered! Visit the new Café brought to you by IKEA and FoodWerx.

Need an Exciting New Way to Fun-draise?

Why not try the Garden State Discovery Museum? Book your next fundraiser with us! Special weekday rental rates and consignment ticket packages available. Email us at programs@discoverymuseum.com for more details.

Girl Scout Try It Workshops and Overnights!

Are you looking for a new and exciting way to earn your Try-Its? The Garden State Discovery Museum offers Brownie Overnight Camp-Ins and after school or weekend workshops. For more information, call (856) 424-1233 ext. 312 or see our website.

Classes and Workshops

18 months – 3

Early Explorers
Join us for weekly hands-on fun in “Little Discoveries”! This half-hour class, led by our wonderful museum educators, offers various activities including music, dance, stories and crafts. Pre-registration is required: call 856-424-1233 ext. 309

Ongoing Tuesdays 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM
Cost: Free for members or with Museum admission, MUST pre-register

Ages 4 – 6

Mini Masters
If you are looking for that first class where your child will be exposed to art exploration using different materials and techniques or if your mini masters are returning for more hands-on fun, this class if for you! Museum educators will focus on famous artists and offer a wonderful introduction to visual arts while enhancing fine motor skills. Pre-Registration is required: call 856-424-1233 ext. 309.

7-Week Session
Tuesdays, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Dates: February 12 – March 25
Cost: $75 members/$85 nonmembers
Capacity: Limit 12 children per class

Artlab
What better place to explore the science of art than the Garden State
Discovery Museum? Using kid-friendly, fun experiments and exploratory,
hands-on craft projects, your child will learn about crystals, outer space,
the weather, volcanoes, nature, bubbles and more. Play to learn!
Pre-Registration is required: call 856-424-1233 ext. 309.

8-Week Session
Wednesdays: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Dates: February 20 – April 9
Cost: $85 members/$95 nonmembers
Capacity: Limit 12 children per class

Ages 3 – 10

Artlab
What better place to explore the science of art than the Garden State Discovery Museum? Using kid-friendly, fun experiments and exploratory, hands-on craft projects, your child will learn about crystals, outer space, the weather, volcanoes, nature, bubbles and more. Play to learn!

Pre-registration is required
8-week session
Wednesdays,4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Dates: February 21 – April 11
Cost:$85 members/$95 nonmembers
Capacity: Limit 12 children per class

Call Holly at 856-424-1233 ext. 305 to register for all classes!

Other Classes

Moms

Baby Boot Camp
Moms Get Fit! A stroller and your child are all you’ll need to get fit and have fun. Join us and jump start weight loss, be with your child and meet other moms. Appropriate for all fitness levels including pregnant women. Go to www.babybootcamp.com, select
New Jersey, Discovery Museum to register with Jennifer Taggart, or for more information. First class free!

Birth – 5

Baby Signs®
Talk with your baby before your baby can talk! Teach your baby to ‘talk’ with their hands using the Baby Signs® Program. Parents and babies enjoy 6 weeks of fun-filled play classes with lots of signing, singing and dancing. To enroll in the Baby Signs® Program, please contact Sharon Rashbaum at 856-797-5713. Classes start January 17, 2008 at 10:00 am. Second session: February 28, 2008.

Music Together
This series of 45-minute classes provide experiences in music and singing. Registration fee includes book, CD or cassette tape of songs and play-alongs used in class. A 10-week fall session begins September 26. Call instructor Madeline at 856-881-5795 for more information and to register for classes.

18 months – 6

Kinderlanguage™ Classes
Kinderlanguage™ offers a fun way to introduce children to French and Spanish through songs, games, stories, and crafts. All classes are 45 minutes. Call Kinderlanguage™ at 856-866-1221 or visit www.kinderlanguage.org for more information.

Ages 3 – 9

NEW MOMS & BABIES,

1st & 2nd Grade

Reading Adventures
Calling all literary explorers! Sponsored by the Cooper Learning Center, Reading Adventures is a series of hands-on activities and reading-related projects designed to make reading fun and keep the educational spirit alive. It’s a cool way to expand vocabulary and comprehension through the hot summer months!

6-week session
Tuesdays or Thursdays, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Dates: June 26 – August 7 or June 28 – August 9 (There will be no class the week of July 4)
Cost: $50 members/$60 nonmembers

Capacity: Limit 10 children per class
To Register: Call 856-673-4900


Look for our Museum Hosted classes to start up again in the fall!

Kinderlanguage
856-866-1221
www.kinderlanguage.org

Music Together with Madeline Knott
856-881-5795

Act Out!
856-261-9352
www.actoutdrama.com

Baby Boot Camp
856-495-6388
www.babybootcamp.com

Teacher Workshops:

Attention all teachers! Recharge your batteries when you join us
for our FREE 2008 Educators Workshops! All workshops take place from 5-7 PM
Tuesday, February 5 – Multi Cultural Crafts
Thursday, March 6 – Junior Meterologists
Wednesday, April 9 – Environmental Artists
Tuesday, May 6 – Frogs In Your Classroom
Thursday, July 10 – Fun in the Sun
Wednesday, August 6 – Creating Mini-Museums
Tuesday, October 14 – Science and Literature
Wednesday, November 5 – Art Across the Curriculum
Thurssday, December 11 – Science of Sports

For details and to register for these FREE workshops, e-mail onthego@discoverymuseum.com

Open Arms

A Special Evening for Families with Autism
Sunday, February 17
6:00 – 8:00 PM

We invite your entire family for an exclusive after hours evening of open play and discovery here at the Museum. Meet other children with autism, their caregivers and siblings, and have the opportunity to find out about resources available to you from our region. To register for this event, e-mail your name, contact info and number of guests to othego@discoverymuseum.com.
Made possible by the generous support of the Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism, Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation, U Care Now, and Kistler Tiffany Benefits.

Back To School!

Does your child need afterschool help with organization, homework or special skills? The GSDM and the Center for Learning can help. Call 856- 424-1233 x306 and find out about new great tutoring programs.

Cleaning house?

Donate your gently used costumes, prom gowns and wedding attire, and the Museum will put them to good use.

Calendar of Events

January

New Year’s Day Pajama Party Tuesday, January 01, 2008 MUSEUM OPENS LATE 11 AM Having trouble getting out of bed? Us, too! Extend your New Year’s celebration and wear your pajamas to the Museum to get in FREE between 11:00 and noon.

New Year’s Day Tuesday, January 01, 2008 Museum opens late at 11:00 AM. It’s pajama time! Enjoy a lazy New Year’s Day morning at the Museum. Arrive between 11:00 AM and noon wearing your PJ’s and kids get in FREE!

Russian Revelry Saturday, January 05, 2008 Learn all about the country that brought us gilded porcelain eggs, the Kremlin Palace, babushka dolls, and the mystery of the lost princess Anastasia. From folkloric storytelling to crafting your own mosaic tile, our traditional Russian arts festival is sure to keep you on your toes!

Salsa: A Dance or a Dip Or Both? Saturday, January 12, 2008 2:00 PM:00 Join musicologist Jose Obando as he teaches us the history behind the sounds and sensations that make Salsa music. From drum beats to dance steps, we’ll even try it out ourselves!

Multicultural Months! Sunday, January 27, 2008 Explore the lure of many nations as the Museum kicks off the year with Multicultural Festivals throughout January and February. Look for our annual Irish Festival on Sunday, January 27 and the return of Universal African Drum and Dance Ensemble on Saturday, February 16.

Irish Festival Sunday, January 27, 2008 1:00 PM:00 Award-winning dancers and musicians from the Next Generation Traditional Irish American Dancers & Music join in on the Irish Festival fun with their classical Gaelic sounds and steps. Make your very own Celtic stained glass window and perhaps you’ll even stumble across one of the Museum’s mysterious leprechauns…

February

Mardi Gras Madness: Carnaval! Saturday, February 02, 2008 1:00 PM:00 Samba your way through Carnaval and learn about the history and traditions behind Brazil’s biggest party. Come early and make your own Mardi Gras Mask. Join our dancers and musicians as they lead us on an exciting, musical parade through the Museum.

Chinese New Year Saturday, February 09, 2008 Join us as we scare away the beast Nián with family-friendly fireworks and fun during our Chinese New Year celebrations. Wear your finest red as you learn calligraphy and search the Museum for lucky red packets.

Africa: The Roots of its Rhythm Saturday, February 16, 2008 1:00 PM:00 Enjoy an electrifying performance by the Universal African Dance and Drum Ensemble featuring sensational movement, music, and stilt walking. A performance with so much spirit, you won’t want to miss it!

Korean Kraze Saturday, February 23, 2008 Welcome the South Jersey Korean Dance Group as they lead us through the beautiful world of Korean music and dance complete with traditional costumes and percussion rhythms. Witness the very detailed art of fan painting and make a fan of your own!

March

Carribean Craze Saturday, March 01, 2008 1:00 PM:00 From the sounds of the steel drum to the colors of the ocean shore, step into the vibrant world of the Carribean as we explore its rich history. Enjoy dancing to the sounds of Alzonia and the Steel Source Band.

Indian Extravaganza Saturday, March 08, 2008 11:00 AM:00 The sights and sounds of Greece come alive as we explore tasty Grecian dishes, the beautiful folkloric dances of the Hellenic Heritage Dance Group, and listen to the stories of the Greek gods.

Peep Peep Show Saturday, March 22, 2008 If we time it correctly, the Museum will have some newly hatched friends for the weekend. The incubation period begins four weeks prior, so come watch and welcome new chicks to the world. The process is all it’s cracked up to be!

Discovery Egg Hunt Sunday, March 23, 2008 1:00 PM:00 Egg-citing fun for everyone! Children are invited to search the Museum high and low for surprises hidden within colorful eggs. Everyone is a winner!

Food and Fun Around the World Monday, March 24, 2008 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM Enter a whole new world with each room you step into at the Museum! Travel from France to Taiwan and beyond in only a matter of minutes while trying your hand at some delicious native treats!

Dancing with the Little Stars: Latin American Ballroom Dance Saturday, March 29, 2008 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM You’ve seen the stars do it on TV, and now it’s your turn! Join professional ballroom dancers as they mambo, cha-cha, and even tango their way through the Museum.

April

NJHE Science Fair Saturday, April 05, 2008 Eureka! Bump into kid scientists and their award winning experiments as you explore the GSDM. Participants of the 2008 New Jersey Home Educators Science Fair will be joining us for a day of pure genius.

Voila! A French Fête Sunday, April 06, 2008 Baguettes, and ballet, and cheese, oh my! Come and find out for yourself why France is oh so chic. From a pétanque (street bowling) tournament to a Parisian fashion show, you, too, can-can be French for a day!

An Italian Affair Saturday, April 12, 2008 Enjoy a taste of the Tuscan countryside and learn like Leonardo as we travel to Italia! Paint your own ceiling fresco just as Michaelangelo did, or prepare your own pasta. Strega Nona will join us in the Storybook Castle to read her own story.

Native American Pow-Wow Saturday, April 19, 2008 Learn the value and importance of Native American cultural traditions which soothe and captivate the senses. Try your hand at crafting your own dream catcher or rain stick.

The Middle East Mystique Sunday, April 27, 2008 1:00 PM:00 Share an odyssey through the Persian Gulf, Turkey, and Egypt. Hear the doumbek drum and see dazzling belly dancer, Fatima. This is a celebration for the whole family!

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