The Community's Awareness of the Children's Museum of Southern Minnesota

Presenter Information

Marcie Woitas, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Amanda Hunstad, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Location

CSU Ballroom

Start Date

16-4-2013 2:00 PM

End Date

16-4-2013 4:00 PM

Student's Major

Family Consumer Science

Student's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Mentor's Name

Heather Von Bank

Mentor's Department

Family Consumer Science

Mentor's College

Allied Health and Nursing

Description

Children’s museums play a vital role in the development of young people’s social, physical, and emotional development. But most of all, museums allow children to play. Play provides a foundation for exploration, observation, discovery, and experimentation in childhood. We know that children from low-income and racial minority groups often experience a disconnection from school and suffer academically. Because our community is becoming more ethnically and economically diverse, addressing the accessibility gap between affluent and disadvantaged families is something that should be addressed. The current research study examines findings from two surveys that were created in partnership with the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota. The survey addressed how accessible the children’s museum is to disadvantaged households and the level of awareness the community has about the museum working toward a permanent facility, various payment plans, and issues concerning transportation. A short survey was distributed to members of the community who are low-income during three community events. The results of the surveys will assist the Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota to serve disadvantaged families and bring the benefits of play to all children in the community.