Boston Children’s Museum Partners With Science City at Union Station, Kansas City

Boston Children’s Museum Partners With 
Science City at Union Station, Kansas City

Museum Leads Development of Early Childhood Learning Initiative

BOSTON, MA (November 9, 2017) – Boston Children’s Museum recently partnered with Science City at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri to plan and design multisensory STEAM learning experiences for young children.

Science City, Kansas City’s Science Center, is a leading science destination featuring over 200 interactive exhibits. Science City was seeking a partner with extensive early childhood learning expertise to help expand early childhood learning opportunities in Kansas City. Science City approached Boston Children’s Museum to develop early childhood spaces based on the Museum’s experience, history, and reputation for excellence.  

The Museum is working with Science City to create three areas meant to spark curiosity and creativity, and help children develop a sense of agency that will foster independent and self-directed learning. The Children’s Zone will serve children birth to three years old and their adult caregivers, and will draw on Boston Children’s Museum iconic PlaySpace exhibit.  The second area, Messy Arts, will be a flexible STEAM space that can be used for toddlers on weekdays, and for school age children on weekends and vacations. All Aboard! will use Union Station as the backdrop for imaginary play and STEAM experiences. Interactives in All Aboard! will echo the importance of Kansas City as a transportation north-south, east-west nexus. All exhibits are planned for a 2019 opening.

“We are thrilled to work with Science City to create rich and highly engaging experiences for young children and their adult caregivers,” said Leslie Swartz, Senior Vice President and Project Director. “These spaces will encourage discovery and playful exploration and will lay the foundation for STEM learning.” 

Boston Children’s Museum is able to draw on extensive applied knowledge and understanding of childhood development to assist Science City in developing cutting edge experiences for their youngest visitors.
  
“As one of the most prestigious children’s museums in the world, Boston Children’s Museum was and is an easy choice for Union Station and Science City,” George Guastello, Union Station president and CEO, said.  “Their deep experience and ability to bring together robust research and extensive lessons learned gave instant credibility and traction to our efforts.  In fact, Boston Children’s Museum professional team was instrumental in helping formulate strategic plans for our Early Learning Initiative, then delivering instant confidence across our substantial stakeholder community.  It’s been an absolute delight and an important and validated business decision to bring their team to bear.  They applied a total-community focus and delivered a highly actionable and informed plan.  Our respect and appreciation for them is immense.”

Boston Children’s Museum’s worldwide recognition attracts considerable attention and requests for partnerships.  In recent years, the Museum has created exhibits for Worcester Historical Society and the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt corporate headquarters. The Museum has also consulted on projects in China and Korea.