Media Room Keyword children's discovery museum of san jose

Nature NOW! Bill’s Backyard Opens Oct. 29

Red Tricycle
October 22, 2017

Go outside and play. This sentiment is often at odds with the valley's tech-heavy culture, especially in the Bay Area. To encourage kids to put down their devices and engage with the outdoors, Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose recently doubled its exhibit space to add a new outdoor exhibit, Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature, and it’s the tree house and dig pit of childhood dreams. Every detail was meticulously planned from the living roof on the junior ranger station to the life-sized bronze animals hidden throughout the exhibit. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Seventy-five Charming Third Graders Help Dedicate Bill’s Backyard

The Mercury News
October 20, 2017

The same kids who tossed seeds into a patch of dirt last November burst through a commemorative ribbon and helped dedicate the museum's new outdoor space, Bill's Backyard: Bridge to Nature, on Thursday. Mayor Sam Liccardo, Santa Clara County Supervisor Ken Yeager, and representatives from the visionary donors including Open Space Authority Santa Clara County, the California Coastal Conservancy, FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, and Agilent Technologies were among many who were on-hand to mark the occasion and speak about the importance of this new outdoor learning environment to children and the entire region. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Low Tech High Thrills at the Purple Museum

South Bay Accent
October 15, 2017

Executive Director Marilee Jennings talks with South Bay Accent about everything from the early days of the museum to the latest and largest capital project since opening in 1990 - Bill's Backyard. San Jose's newest outdoor learning environment is primed for hours of exploration, discovery, and creativity for all ages, especially inquisitive youngsters. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Executive Director Marilee Jennings Talks with Bay Area Focus

KBCW Bay Area Focus
October 8, 2017

Marilee Jennings joined Michelle Griego, host of KBCW's "Bay Area Focus," to talk about Bill's Backyard and why the museum is venturing outdoors with a half-acre outdoor learning environment focused on environmental and science learning - and, of course, lots of discovery and exploration for children and families. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Science Learning

Nature Inspired Space Opens at Purple Museum

Bay Nature Magazine
September 25, 2017

Come play outside. That's what the museum hopes families will want to do in Bill’s Backyard: Bridge to Nature, the new outdoor exhibit space. It's intentionally designed as a hybrid between a playground and a nature park, where children can choose their own adventures, and parents can feel comfortable letting them. The half-acre exhibit includes large tree-shaped structures connected by sky bridges, a grassy hill and slide, a dig pit, and a fort-building area suitable for forts or fairy gardens. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, Science Learning

Children Become Little Scientists in Science + You Exhibit

October 9, 2017

Thanks to support from AbbVie Foundation, kids can become little scientists and discover the world of science in a fun, hands-on way. The exhibit offers a child-sized laboratory where kids can learn about working in a clean environment as they prepare to put on a lab coat and explore the role science plays in keeping the body healthy. The exhibit features tips about healthy eating and active living with plenty of role-playing including making nutritious soup in the "Test Kitchen," learning how antibodies help defeat germs, handling materials safely using the "Glovebox," and getting a magnified view of both natural and man-made objects using the "Wentzscope," and more! Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Health Promotion, Science Learning

Children’s Discovery Museum Soars

Bay Area For Sale
September 5, 2017

Two moms with a big dream. This determined combination launched what has become a trusted community resource for families and a beacon of fun for all - Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. The iconic purple museum located in the heart of downtown San Jose in Discovery Meadow welcomes more than 400,000 people each year. Learn More

General Museum

Proud of My Family August 26 & 27

August 7, 2017

Visitors will learn that there's more to crocheting than doilies at this year's event. Social justice artist Ramekon O' Arwisters will lead children and adults in a crochet jam - a public art-making experience that fits nicely with the goals of Proud of My Family to build awareness and understanding among people of diverse ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socioeconomic situations, religions, abilities, and family configurations. Learn More

Creativity through the Arts, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Common Ground Program Gives Voice to Immigrants

China Daily USA
August 1, 2017

Immigrants from China, Mexico, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam shared their experiences and cultural heritage during one of three dinners as part of the museum's innovative Common Ground gatherings. The year-long, grant-funded program designed to connect people from different backgrounds and encourage sharing and understanding amongst diverse immigrant communities will culminate in an art project to be displayed throughout the South Bay. Learn More

General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Tree of 40 Fruit Only Public Sculpture on West Coast

Gardening Know How
July 19, 2017

Imagine picking 40 different types of stone fruit from one tree. The Tree of 40 Fruit is a delicious intersection of art and agriculture that will deliver the goods. Bursting with a kaleidoscope of pink, crimson, red and white blossoms, this living sculpture was created by environmental artist Sam Van Aken and will be the centerpiece of Bill's Backyard, producing 40 different heirloom and antique varieties mostly from Santa Clara Valley. Learn More

Creativity through the Arts, Environmental Stewardship, Science Learning

South Bay Teens Give Back Through Summer of Service

Sunnyvale Sun
July 10, 2017

Youth earn community service hours, make friends, and participate in volunteerism in the award-winning Summer of Service program. With an emphasis on responsibility and purpose, teens in grades 7th through 10th are connected to volunteer opportunities in the community. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Partnerships & Resource Development

Youth Make a Difference While Developing Perspective, Empathy, and Leadership

June 1, 2017

Youth earn community service hours, have fun, and make a difference while developing perspective, empathy, and leadership in the museum's nationally recognized Summer of Service program. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Inclusion & Cultural Competence