Media Room Strategic Initiative Inclusion & Cultural Competence

Museum Honors NBA Dallas Mavericks’ CEO Cynt Marshall with 2022 Legacy for Children Award

April 14, 2022

Cynt Marshall is widely recognized as a trailblazer, change-maker, and champion for children, which is why she was selected as the 2022 Legacy for Children Honoree. As the first Black female CEO in the NBA, Cynt’s remarkable story of “firsts” is an inspiring message of tenacity and resilience for all children. Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Inclusion & Cultural Competence

New Bilingual Exhibition Supports Early Brain Development

Early Learning Nation
April 7, 2022

Spanish-speaking families will feel right at home enjoying the museum's bilingual exhibit, AlegreMENTE | Happy Brain: Celebrating Early Connections through May 1. Made possible by the National Institutes of Health’s Science Education Partnership Award, AlegreMENTE originated at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) with the goal of exploring early brain development through music, dance, games, storytelling, and everyday interactions. Learn More

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

Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose to Receive First-Ever $100,000 Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts

February 1, 2022

Arts programs at the museum will get a huge boost this year with the first-ever grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The $100,000 will help restore an arts specialist position for the museum’s popular performing and visual arts programs for young children. Learn More

Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Inclusion & Cultural Competence

Museum Offers Creative Way to Help Busy Families

San Jose Spotlight
January 3, 2022

Doing what the museum does best, serving families and meeting the moment, the museum partnered with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to host vaccination clinics at the museum for busy families. With funding from Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The Health Trust, San Jose Councilmember Raul Peralez’s office, Anthem Blue Cross and Santa Clara Family Health Plan, the museum is able to offer free passes for up to eight people per pass, to every family or individual who gets vaccinated during one of the clinics. Learn More

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

Museum Offers Free Passes for Vaccinated Guests at Clinic

NBC Bay Area 11
January 2, 2022

Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose is offering free passes for anyone who gets vaccinated at the Museum on January 2. With funding from four local partners, the Museum is working with the Santa Clara County Public Health Department to host several clinics this year in an effort to support busy families. The clinic is open to anyone needing a vaccination or booster. Learn More

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

Family Diversity is Celebrated at Proud of My Family

Bay Area Reporter
June 19, 2019

Contributing a positive message to the national narrative around diversity and inclusion, the museum hosted its fifth annual Proud of My Family day June 22. Rainbow-themed activities, the Silicon Valley Rainbow Women's Chorus, and partners from the LGBTQ community were on-hand to celebrate family diversity. Learn More

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

Museum Announces Access and Inclusion Initiative

imp inpark Magazine
June 19, 2019

Visitors of all abilities will now have additional options for accessing Children's Discovery Museum. This initiative advances our most deeply held values of access and inclusion for all members of the community,” said Marilee Jennings, executive director of Children’s Discovery Museum. “These efforts build upon our existing initiative work with the Autism, LGBTQ, and immigrant communities.” Learn More

Early Childhood Development, General Museum, Health Promotion, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Learning Research

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

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

Hanukkah Celebration Shows Kids How We’re All Different Yet Connected

The Mercury News
December 3, 2018

Families in Silicon Valley are eager to expose their children to the many rich cultures around the world. Helping kids appreciate how others are different goes a long way toward a hopeful future. That's what makes Menorahs & Miracles so joyful, fun - yet full of purpose and intention. This annual partner event celebrates Hanukkah and helps children experience different cultures around the world. Learn More

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

Executive Director Marilee Jennings On Diversity & Inclusion with SV Business Journal

Silicon Valley Business Journal
November 16, 2018

On any given day in the museum, you'll hear numerous languages being spoken. The museum's audience mirrors the tremendous diversity in the Bay Area. This is no accident. It's the result of years of intentional work that includes everything from the Cultural Celebration Series, tri-lingual signage, staffing decisions, and exhibits and programs to deeply held community partnerships. Learn More

Community Service Learning, Creativity through the Arts, Early Childhood Development, Environmental Stewardship, Exhibition Development, General Museum, Health Promotion, Inclusion & Cultural Competence, Learning Research, Partnerships & Resource Development, Science Learning

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

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