inHub’s Winter Activities & Programs
2023 is off to a busy start for our Learning & Engagement team. From in-person workshops and the launch of our Kahoot! page to the kickoff of field trips, our team has been hard at work inspiring educators and encouraging young minds.
Equality and Power in Civics and Histories Program
On January 28, 2023, The Henry Ford hosted the National Council for History Education partnership with Wayne RESA for their Equality and Power in Civics and Histories program (EPiC Histories). Over 30 educators visited the museum for a session on early Michigan history and how to incorporate primary sources into the classroom. Dr. Sara Chapman Williams from Oakland University gave a lecture on the interactions between indigenous peoples and the first European settlers in Michigan in the seventeenth century through the lens of primary sources. Then, Learning & Engagement staff introduced Model i to the educators and led an exploration of the redesign of the With Liberty & Justice for All exhibit and its efforts to include voices not currently represented in the museum. The educators were very engaged and held a nuanced conversation around how primary sources can help students define concepts of liberty and justice and how those definitions have changed over time.
Tinkering for Tots: Practicing Creativity with Young Learners
At Tinkering for Tots young learners explore new ideas, overcome challenges work with others and make connections. The return of this program in January means that young learners can once again practice the Habits of an Innovator through storytelling, play, artifact exploration and a take-home STEAM activity kit. Since January, we have welcomed over 300 young learners, 13 Pre-K classrooms, and 30 educators to Tinkering for Tots to play, explore and be inspired. We are looking forward to more learners, classrooms, and educators throughout our program in 2023. Please join us at the museum for storytelling, play and exploration January- May and October-December on the second Tuesday of every month for Tinkering for Tots!
Wayne RESA Maker STEM Summit: Focusing on Maker Education
The Henry Ford was honored to host Wayne RESA's Maker STEM Summit on February 16, 2023. Over 200 educators, representing 53 school districts across Michigan, participated in sessions about educational technology, learned how to incorporate maker education in their classrooms, and engaged with hands-on STEM activities. Over 60 participants experienced a museum tour led by members of the Learning & Engagement team that focused on telling stories of past makers and innovators through the lens of the Model i framework and how it can help educators and students today to build innovative mindsets.
Engage, Learn, and Play: Game On with The Henry Ford’s Kahoot!
In March, The Henry Ford officially launched its Kahoot! Academy Premium Partner channel. Users have access to 19 fun and engaging games organized across three courses dedicated to Model i Habits of an Innovator, stories from The Henry Ford, and the Invention Convention Worldwide steps of invention. We are excited for this opportunity to share our expertise on innovation learning and invention education while elevating The Henry Ford’s collections and stories for the 9 million global educators who use the platform.
Check out this blog post to learn more about our Kahoot! channel. And start playing our Kahoots here.
Wayne RESA Science Teacher Leaders Workshop
On March 7, 2023, The Henry Ford hosted a workshop for 25 of Wayne RESA's science teacher leaders. The Learning & Engagement team led the morning session to expose educators to The Henry Ford's inHub and Model i Framework. Educators then went on a tour of some of the museum’s exhibits and made connections between the stories and the Actions and Habits of innovation. The educators then used what they learned to create their own innovation journeys to wrap up the workshop.
DPSCD Museum Field Trips: Building Innovative Mindsets
The Henry Ford is delighted to be one of several area cultural institutions which make up the Detroit Cultural Passport Program for educators and students of the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD). From February through April, the Learning and Engagement team welcomed curious and enthusiastic fifth graders to explore Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation. Their experience centered around the question, “What Actions and Habits are important to innovation?” As the students took in our exhibits, they worked together to complete a Habits of an Innovator scavenger hunt.A highlight of this year’s museum experience included visiting the special exhibit SCOOBY-DOO Mansion Mayhem. Zoinks!
We’re looking forward to welcoming DPSCD fourth graders to Greenfield Village between April and June where the focus of their experience will be centered on Michigan history post-statehood.
Inspiring Students to Innovate for Success
On March 28, our very own Lucie Howell, Chief Learning Officer at The Henry Ford, led a webinar put on by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Throughout the program, Howell talked about inclusive innovation, The Henry Ford, and shared tools for educators that inspire children to innovate for success. Learn more about Lucie Howell on the USPTO’s webinar page and stay tuned for a recording of the webinar soon!
Upcoming Spring Offerings: Get Ready for Exciting Programs!
It’s been a busy winter and keeping the momentum going with spring offerings:
- Invention Convention Michigan (April 29)
- DPSCD Field Trips to Greenfield Village (April – June)
- Educators-in-Residence applications open now through May 22
- Tinkering for Tots (2nd Tuesday of every month through May)
- Raytheon Technologies Invention Convention U.S. Nationals (June 7-9)
- THF Summer Camps begin June 26
- We’re looking to hire several Lead Summer Camp Counselors to help us shape and lead a fun-filled program of engaging and educational experiences for campers ages 7-12. Apply to join our team! https://inhub.thehenryford.org/careers