Media Room News Releases

Disability Initiative Launches to Provide Greater Access and Options

June 5, 2019

Visitors of all abilities will now have additional options for accessing and enjoying the museum with the launch of the museum’s Disability Initiative. This work is part of the museum’s strategic commitment, “Inclusion and Cultural Competence," and includes new universally designed automated doors, an upgrade to the Quiet Room, and the new program, "Afternoons for All Abilities" that joins the existing program, "Play Your Way," for children with Autism. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence

Grant from NBC Launches Mobile Media Studio for At-Risk Youth

June 5, 2019

A Project Innovation grant from NBC Bay Area, Telemundo 48 and NBCUniversal Foundation will provide funds to transition the existing video-making program at the museum into a mobile media studio that will travel to Sacred Heart Nativity School located in the heart of the Washington/Gardner area, one of the highest gang-impacted neighborhoods in San Jose. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, Partnerships & Resource Development

SID The Science Kid Super-Duper Exhibit! Visits Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose

May 15, 2019

SID the Science Kid: The Super-Duper Exhibit based on the award-winning PBS KIDS TV series is visiting the museum on May 25 through September 2. For the first time ever, kids will be able to step into Sid’s world and become “science kids” themselves as they discover and investigate everyday science questions around Sid’s home, at school in the Super Fab Lab, and on the playground. Learn More
Environmental Education Program Culminates with Nature Festival

May 15, 2019

Happy Trails, the innovative program launched last fall by the museum narrows the "nature gap" by removing barriers for inner city families to experience and enjoy the outdoors. Through three facilitated hikes, workshops, and parent resources in Spanish, Vietnamese and English, families gain skills, comfort, and confidence in the outdoors. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Science Learning

Education Innovator and Author Milton Chen is 2019 Legacy Award Honoree

May 1, 2019

Education innovator and author Milton Chen believes in education. Just not in the traditional sense. For nearly four decades, he's been on the cutting edge of research - advocating for teaching to keep pace with changes in society and how children learn. Chen is this year's 20th Legacy for Children Award honoree. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum

Question Quest: A Week of Investigating Your World Honors 25th Anniversary of Award-Winning BioSITE Program

April 2, 2019

Did you know that over 70% of the planet is covered by the sea? Or that the Pacific Ocean covers over half the globe? Environmental and science organizations will be at Children’s Discovery Museum April 9 – 13 answering these questions and sparking more with hands-on science activities during Question Quest week. This year’s theme, Blue Planet, celebrates the 25th anniversary of BioSITE (Students Investigating Their Environment), the museum’s field-based environmental science program where students learn watershed ecology and environmental stewardship. Learn More

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

Cultural Celebration Series Continues with Three Kings Festivities

January 1, 2019

The Epiphany – the Feast of Three Kings on January 6 is a significant holiday in many cultures and Spanish-speaking countries, marking the 12 days after Christmas when the kings arrived in Bethlehem. The traditions of family, gift-giving, music, and art and crafts are brought to life so that families of all backgrounds can explore this holiday that is familiar by many local families who grew up celebrating The Feast of the Three Kings. Learn More

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

Voyage to Vietnam Returns Home After National Tour

October 1, 2018

After a two-year national tour to promote understanding of the Vietnamese culture, the exhibition Voyage to Vietnam: Celebrating the Tet Festival returns home. The exhibition was developed by the museum with the help of 10 community leaders who consulted on the two-year process to ensure cultural authenticity. It was made possible through a highly competitive national initiative by the Freeman Foundation Asian Culture Exhibit Series. Learn More

Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Learning Research, Partnerships & Resource Development

$25,000 Grant from Santa Clara County Open Space Authority Connects Families to Nature

September 10, 2018

Local children and adults will gain skills in how to enjoy and participate in outdoor recreation thanks to “Happy Trails.” This innovative program launched by Children’s Discovery Museum and funded by Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority aims to narrow the “nature gap” by removing barriers for inner-city families. According to CalEnviroScreen, an analysis of California communities and the environment, some of the most environmentally disadvantaged communities are within a five-mile radius of the museum and likely lack exposure to the positive health benefits of nature. This program intends to change that. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Oracle Helps Ignite Passion for Scientific Inquiry and Environmental Stewardship

June 13, 2018

More than 1,000 students rolled up their sleeves and pant legs and got their hands and feet wet while learning first-hand about water quality, the protection of plants and animals, and qualities that make up a healthy watershed, thanks to a $25,000 contribution from Oracle for BioSITE, the museum's award-winning program. Learn More

Environmental Stewardship, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Shortino Foundation’s $25,000 Award Makes a Difference for Local Youth

May 3, 2018

Local at-risk youth from low-income families will learn about video and digital media, experience the joys of community service, and make new friends in the museum’s youth programs, thanks to a $25,000 grant from The Shortino Foundation. The funds will support free and subsidized registration for teens in three museum youth programs. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Partnerships & Resource Development

Local Hero and Former Astronaut Steve Smith to Receive Legacy Award

May 1, 2018

This year's Legacy for Children Award honoree is out-of-this-world. Former astronaut and local resident Steve Smith is a remarkable role model who inspires young people to pursue their dreams with confidence, tenacity, and courage. After four rejections from NASA, Smith was accepted into the astronaut program at age 33. At 35 he traveled into space and became one of America's most experienced astronauts who now captivates audiences around the country as a motivational speaker. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

Museum Joins “Museums for All” National Access Program

February 22, 2018

Now even more families from all backgrounds can visit the museum through Museums for All, a national access program that enables qualifying families to visit the museum for the low rate of $2 per person for up to four people. Families simply present one of the following: Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC) card, or a Women, Infants and Children Nutrition (WIC) folder. This national initiative represents a huge step in the goal of reaching more children and parents, especially those living in poverty, with the valuable educational resources of hands-on learning. Learn More

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

Proud of My Family Aug. 17 & 18

August 1, 2018

The fourth annual Proud of My Family weekend celebrates all families, especially members of the LGBTQ+ community. The event supports the museum’s Inclusion and Cultural Competence strategic commitment to build awareness and understanding among people of diverse ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, socioeconomic situations, religions, abilities, and family configurations. Learn More

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