Junior Machinist Apprentice Program
American Precision Museum – Windsor VT
Saturday September 23 & 30, 2017 10-11:30 am
This program is great for boys, girls and parents and is becoming quite popular with Upper Valley families. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)
American Precision Museum has launched a new Jr. Machinist Apprentice Program presented for the next two Saturdays in September from 10-11:30am. Education Director Scott Davison's goal is to bring more youthful visitors to the museum. "The majority of our visitors are not children" Davison says "and I'm trying to change that. Not only by inviting traveling families during the tourist season to participate, but to welcome area youth to be engaged at the museum." The program is an opportunity to learn the basics about the ingenuity and entrepreneurship in the story of manufacturing that the museum tells in its exhibits about manufacturing, past, present and future.
Each Saturday program is a guided scavenger hunt around the museum, using a booklet with seven learning chapters. It takes about 45 minutes to complete. Aimed 8-14 year olds, younger kids can be assisted by an adult. "It's several steps of engaging kids with the history, the artifacts, and the 1846 Robbins & Lawrence Armory building that houses the museum" says Scott.
The activity serves an immediate fun and educational purpose, but is tied up with a long term goal as well: to encourage young people to pursue STEM careers. Upon completing the booklet, kids receive a badge printed with the museum's 3D printer. Seeing how the printer works, and doing the challenges at the museum's Working Machine Shop open opportunities for discussion about exploring careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, STEM-related fields, especially manufacturing. Scott explains that "opportunities abound to earn a very good living wage, in a clean, high-tech work environment." There's also a certificate of completion, a pledge to share what they've learned with others, and a charter membership in the Junior Machinist Apprentice Club – for which more hands-on STEM activities will later be offered.
Admission is free to the museum for each Jr. Apprentice candidate and one accompanying adult.
The museum is located at 196 Main St., in Windsor and is open 7 Days a week from 10:00 am to 5:00pm. Admission to the Museum, Adults $8.00 and Students $5.00. Learn more about the museum, its history, and events and programs to be held at the historic building at our website. https://www.americanprecisionmuseum.org
Frank Hoffman
Development Director
American Precision Museum
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