Art + science = education with new offerings at Washington Pavilion

This paid piece is sponsored by Washington Pavilion Management Co.

It might have been a day off from school, but the learning definitely didn’t stop for these Sioux Falls students earlier this week.

They were part of the first No School STEAM Day, held at the Washington Pavilion as a way to engage students in STEAM topics – science, technology, engineering, art and math – while Sioux Falls public schools are out of session for teacher workdays.

“We have such a unique space with both art and science, so putting it under one STEAM umbrella helps people better understand our offerings and the importance of them,” said Madelyn Grogan, director of education at the Washington Pavilion.

“We know there’s days off school and parents have to work, and it’s a good way to keep students active and engaged and not in front of a screen.”

On this No School STEAM Day, in partnership with Sanford Promise, students got to think like a scientist as they investigated polymers, chemical reactions and diffusion.

“Kids were doing experiments throughout the day and were immersed in art and science,” Grogan said. “They did an art experience with one of our instructors and had a gallery tour along with an activity in the Wells Fargo CineDome.”

To sign up your student for the next No School STEAM Day, mark your calendar for March 18, 2022, when the day will focus on how scientists investigate things they can’t see. Students will use different scientific techniques to visualize human cells and DNA, with activities that include extracting DNA from fruit and using microscopes to see cells.

Sessions are available for kindergarteners through second graders and for third through fifth graders. The cost is $25 for the day, and there are scholarships available.

“We can look at adding more around other days off,” Grogan added. “We’d like to work with other professionals in our community such as engineers to create more unique STEAM experiences that we can’t provide as easily on our own.”

Other STEAM education

Parents, students and educators also can take advantage of ongoing STEAM-related programs at the Pavilion.

Graham Academy Preschool

The Graham Academy Preschool curriculum turns the Washington Pavilion into a preschool classroom, allowing kids the opportunity to interact with Kirby Science Discovery Center exhibits, Visual Arts Center exhibitions and Husby Performing Arts Center programming.

It’s offered as two-, three- or four-day-a-week sessions with before-care available.

“Over the last year, we have realigned our goals with the Graham Academy to make it more STEAM-focused, so we have a science instructor who comes in on a regular basis and does lessons, they visit the Visual Arts Center and go to shows offered during preschool time, so it really is designed to give them very early STEAM exposure,” Grogan said.

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Pavilion in the Classroom

As a former elementary school teacher, Grogan said she remembers how, while science experiments and related activities are fun to bring to the classroom, they also take the most time to plan.

“It takes energy and effort, and teachers really haven’t had it easy for the last few years, so we’re looking at what we can do to fill that gap for schools and families,” she said.

Pavilion in the Classroom was created during the pandemic as a way to offer curated art and science lessons for schools similar to virtual field trips.

“We filmed four sets of lessons, so educators can purchase that and show it to their class, and there’s a supply list of activities,” Grogan said. “We walk through everything, and the teacher just presses play and has to facilitate the activity at the end.”

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Daily activities

Come to the Pavilion on certain days of the week, and you’ll discover additional STEAM-related activities.

There’s Tinker Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon offering kids the chance to build, explore and create in Jack’s Imagination Lab.

And to end the week, Friday Crafternoons offer afternoon art activities in the Raven Children’s Studio. They’re changed seasonally and give kids a chance to work independently and create.

“Plus, there are daily experiments at Avera Stage Science depending on who is visiting the science center,” Grogan said. “We’re a popular place for families on weekends, but we’re looking at adding more programming in the museums on a daily basis, especially for kids who aren’t yet of school age.”

Spooky Science

And finally, STEAM can take on a scary twist too. This Saturday, Oct. 16, come to the Washington Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for Spooky Science, an annual day of fright and fun for all ages.

“It’s spooky with decorations and very family-friendly with different activities set up, “ Grogan said. “So while you play in the science center, you can stop and look at a Jell-O Brain from the USD Center for Brain and Behavior Research or play with ‘boo bubbles’ or squishy slime.”

Spooky Science is free for members, $14 for adults and $10 for those age 3-17. Kids 2 and younger are free.

“We also are planning to invest further in STEAM programs, with a goal of becoming a regional destination for these kinds of activities,” Grogan added. “So we’re excited to have new offerings coming in the near future.”

Become a member

There always are new reasons to keep coming back to the Pavilion, and a membership likely offers even more value than you realize, starting at just $5.99 per month for a couple and $9.99 for a family of five.

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