Spring 2022 inHub Community Programs and Activities
Spring brought a flurry of activity for the inHub and Learning & Engagement teams this year. Educators from across the country traveled to The Henry Ford for professional development opportunities and we welcomed young inventors back to the museum for the Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals. In the midst of all this we had families join us for on-site programming and many students from Detroit Public School Community District visit for field trips. Here’s a look at everything we accomplished throughout our spring programming!
National Council for History Education Colloquium
The Henry Ford (THF) was proud to host the National Council for History Education colloquium, “History on Wheels” on THF’s campus from April 22-24. Educators came from across the country to participate in discussions on technology’s impact on American society and how to use primary sources, like photographs, documents and advertisements, in the classroom to strengthen student learning. Learning & Engagement staff members led participants on interactive tours of the campus and introduced them to the museum’s collections, inHub and the Model i framework. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and many educators mentioned that they plan to use Model i and collections resources in their classrooms. For many of the attendees, this colloquium was the first time they had attended an in-person training in over two years. The energy, excitement, and passion these educators brought with them was truly inspiring. We were honored to partner with NCHE on this colloquium and look forward to future opportunities!
During the NCHE Colloquium educators toured The Henry Ford and learned about the Model i Innovation Learning Framework at our Intersections of Innovation exhibit (left) and put their learning to practice by creating their own innovation journeys (right).
Invention Convention Michigan
On April 30 we welcomed about 150 young inventors from across the state of Michigan to The Henry Ford for an in-person Invention Convention Michigan, presented by Delta Dental of Michigan. It was awesome to welcome students back on campus for Invention Convention after two years of virtual programming. Read more about this event here.
Group photo taken at Invention Convention Michigan, presented by Delta Dental of Michigan. / Photo by Purple Frog Photography
Wayne RESA Master Science Teacher Fellowship
On May 14, The Henry Ford hosted the Wayne RESA Master Science Teacher Fellowship participants for a three-hour workshop on teaching engineering standards through storytelling and Model i, our innovation learning framework. Learning & Engagement staff led educators from southeast Michigan on a tour of the museum, where they explored the stories of George Washington Carver, Charles & Ray Eames, Bucky Fuller, and other historic innovators. Educators then discussed how they could connect those stories to science and engineering concepts that they are required to teach in their classrooms. Finally, educators used the habits of innovators and actions of innovation to map out a story that they could share with students in the classroom. It was wonderful to spend time with local teachers and we hope to work with them again soon.
Participants in the Wayne RESA Master Science Teacher Fellowship were given a tour of the museum to see how we connect our Model i Actions of Innovation and Habits of an Innovator to the stories of historic innovators.
Detroit Public School Community District (DPSCD) Field Trips
After welcoming 5th graders from the DPSCD to The Henry Ford for field trips earlier this year, we were happy to have the 4th graders to Greenfield Village in April and May through the Cultural Passport program. These students focused on Michigan History, visiting exhibits like the Ford home, The Ford Motor Company, and the Bagley Avenue Workshop. In all, we welcomed 5,255 4th and 5th graders this Spring for field trips to The Henry Ford!
During their field trip to Greenfield Village, DPSCD students explored Michigan history by visiting buildings like the Ford Motor Company. Students also had the opportunity to ride the train!
Invention Convention U.S. Nationals
This year, over 147,000 students participated in Invention Convention programs across the states. After two years of virtual programming, we were thrilled to welcome over 300 inventors to The Henry Ford from June 1-3 for the 2022 Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals! It was amazing to see these young inventors present their inventions on the floor of the museum alongside some of the greatest innovations in American history. This year’s event included an Activating Invention Experts panel and guest appearances by Global STEM Ambassador Jay Flores and former Astronaut Dan Burbank. The live awards ceremony was hosted once again by Albert Lawrence, correspondent for The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation. Check out the awards ceremony here.
Group photo from the 7th Annual Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals.
And be sure to check out this recap video from the event!
Tinkering for Tots
The PNC Tinkering for Tots program grew its impact throughout the spring. We were thrilled to have over 300 early childhood learners (accompanied by their families, teachers and chaperones) join us in Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation for story time, followed by a mini field trip to the artifact-of-the-day, and a take-home STEAM activity kit. In addition to the in-person program, we also distributed 450 self-guided virtual program kits to Detroit Public Schools Community District’s preschool classrooms participating in PNC’s Grow Up Great program and families served by our community partner Brilliant Detroit. Each month’s program focused on nurturing one of the Habits of an Innovator, like Collaborate and Learn from Failure. Between October 2021- June 2022, the PNC Tinkering for Tots program engaged over 500 youth on-site and another 450 youth virtually bringing the total impact of this program to over 950 youth!
(Left) Alexandra Erickson of Learning & Engagement leads families in a reading of “The Magical Yet,” followed by a visit to GM’s first autonomous vehicle on the floor of The Henry Ford, led by Phil Grumm (right).
Summer is now in full swing for the Learning & Engagement Team! Check out some of the events and programs we have going on this season:
- THF Summer Camps, powered by inHub: Now through August 12
- Educators in Residence: July 19-21
- Teacher Innovator Awards, presented by Raytheon Technologies: July 25-29
- Invention Convention Globals Awards Ceremony, presented by Pratt & Whitney: August 26
- Invention Convention Worldwide Fall Summit for Affiliates: September 19-21