New in June: Possible-opolis Press Workshops

A special series of Possible-opolis Press for adults and children will take place on June 10, 17, and 24 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Possible-opolis Press is the MCM’s printing press where we usually create letterpress prints on the floor for our visitors. But in this special three-session workshop we have expanded the offering to include learning to make your own paper (June 10), then print on that very same paper (June 17), and finally bind it all together to make a book, journal, or sketchbook in the final session (June 24).

Ages 8 & up are welcome. Cost is $25 for all three workshops in the series for members, $35 for non-members.

Only 10 spots are available, so sign up soon! To register, email ehoag@madisonchildrensmuseum.org or call 608.256.6445, ext. 156.

StoryCorps Interviews Revive Great Museum Memories

On Wednesday morning, two Facilitators from the oral history-collecting nonprofit StoryCorps set up shop in one of our offices to begin recording stories of 36 individuals with strong ties to Madison Children’s Museum. As we end the second day of recordings, it’s evident that we’re building a treasure trove of firsthand accounts that detail the never-before-told history of the museum.

StoryCorps Facilitators Mariel Gruszko and Katherine Brook

For those not familiar with StoryCorps, you should check out its work. The organization is dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of Americans from all backgrounds and beliefs, and it’s best known for its moving interview excerpts that air on NPR’s “Morning Edition” each Friday. We received the gift of a StoryCorps visit from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as part of our earning the 2011 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, and what a gift it is.

We have completed 12 of the 18 interviews, which pair individuals who share common connections to the museum. On Wednesday, the first interview paired our American Girl Benefit Sale coordinator, Marianne Madar, with two former longtime volunteers who logged thousands of hours together in the sale warehouse in Middleton. The sale is the museum’s largest fundraiser, bringing in a significant portion of money to support the operating budget, and aside from Marianne, it’s run completely by volunteers. Wednesday also featured interviews with former and current board members, major donors, staff members, and exhibit and program collaborators.

Today’s interviews included two museum founders and the consultant who guided them; a couple who helped the museum develop its award-winning “Hmong at Heart” exhibit; an exhibits design consultant and two exhibits staff members; the Benefit Sale’s creator and a longtime volunteer; and our staff’s annual giving coordinator and the co-chair of “Tea and Trains,” the museum’s annual holiday tea.

Tomorrow, Facilitators Katherine Brook and Mariel Gruszko will record the six final 40-minute interviews, including more staff members, exhibit and program collaborators, and past board members and donors.

While we haven’t gotten to listen to the interviews just yet, since each is recorded behind closed doors with just one Facilitator and the interview participants in the room, the museum staff are all very excited to listen to them and celebrate the memories recounted through this monumental oral history project.

Be sure to keep an eye on this blog and on our Facebook and Twitter feeds to hear excerpts from some of the interviews. And let this gift to us be inspiration for you and the children in your life to begin collecting and preserving your own stories. It’s a chance to learn things about each other that you otherwise wouldn’t have known, and for future generations to learn about the past in a different way than opening a traditional textbook.

– Amy Mertz, Communications Coordinator

Spring Break Packed With Activities

If you’re staying close to home next week over spring break, or even if your school district is in session, we have loads of programs and events to keep kids busy and having fun!

A child adds her newly decorated egg to our "nest" during the 2011 Access for Everyone Spring Fund Drive.

Saturday, March 31, kicks off our Access for Everyone Spring Fund Drive. Stop into the museum to buy and decorate a paper egg for $1, $5, or “name your price.” All funds go toward ensuring that the museum is accessible to all in our community despite financial, physical, or other limitations. It’s a great chance to teach kids about philanthropy and for them to show off their art skills, since all the eggs will be displayed in the Community Concourse throughout the week. 

The drive runs through April 7, and if you can’t make it to the museum, you can also make a donation at any Roman Candle Pizzeria location, too. Thank you to The Roman Candle for being our promotional partner for this year’s drive. Thank you to the Spring Fund Drive’s lead sponsor, American Family Insurance, which will match up to $5,000 in gifts. We also thank supporting sponsors The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. Inc., and WEA Trust.

We ARE open the next two Mondays, April 2 and 9, to serve those on vacation. Why not kick off next week at Healthy Habits Week? This event, which runs through April 6, will help your family start spring with good health in mind! Activities that celebrate active play, healthy food choices, and smart safety will be held all week long. We have some farm animals visiting from Heartland Farm Sanctuary, CPR demonstrations, a “Zilly” Book Bonanza featuring author Kelly Parks Snider, and more!

Admission is free on Twilight Wednesday, from 5-8 p.m. April 4, too, so if it fits into your schedule, don’t miss this evening opportunity to visit at no cost! Twilight Wednesdays are held on the first Wednesday of each month, always from 5-8 p.m and with free admission.

Healthy Habits Week is presented by Dean & St. Mary’s. For a full list of programs, visit our Education Programs page and view complete program descriptions on our Calendar page.

Also, we will be closed on Easter, April 8. Have a wonderful spring break!

Living Laboratory: Real-World Research at Madison Children’s Museum

If you’ve been in our Wildernest exhibit area for early learners lately, you may have noticed some child development studies taking place in the Cozy Cottage. We recently began participating in the Living Laboratory project, a unique educational on-site research program designed in collaboration with the Boston Museum of Science, the National Science Foundation and researchers from the University of Wisconsin Waisman Center.

A researcher from UW-Madison's Waisman Center interacts with a child participating in the latest study taking place in the Wildernest's Cozy Cottage.

You can find the Living Laboratory for cognitive research set up in the Wildernest a few hours a day, Tuesday-Saturday. Check the sign on the Cozy Cottage for exact times each day. As part of the program, researchers conduct studies involving young visitors in the museum and educate visitors about their work. The Living Lab helps visitors understand how children develop cognitive skills. Right now in the Living Lab, there is one study being conducted about how children read body language to figure out who is in charge. There’s also study on sharing, to see how children might use social categories when deciding how to share. Stop down if you are interested in finding out more about the research and cognitive development of young children. The studies take less than 10 minutes and are a nice, easy way to help advance learning in the field of child development at UW-Madison.

Madison Children’s Museum was selected to be the only Midwest site for the Living Laboratory, and the only children’s museum participating in the project.

Join us for “Celebrating African-American Contributions in Our Community”

This weekend we have two fun programs that are part of “Local Treasures: Celebrating African-American Contributions in Our Community.” Madison Children’s Museum is pleased to present this new initiative, which launched February 1 with the beginning of Black History Month. Activities will become part of our ongoing program offerings, so check our calendar for future events. All programs are free with museum admission; registration is not required.

Bring-a-Blanket Stories: On Saturday, Feb. 18, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., we’ll host local poet Fabu as she shares stories about historical figures from Wisconsin, including Chief Oshkosh, Macaja Revels, and one of Mrs. Edith’s relatives who was an entertainer in Baraboo, Wis. This drop-in program is free with museum admission.

Madison poet Fabu

Super Soaker Science: On Saturday, Feb. 18, from 2-4 p.m., come learn the ins and outs of the Super Soaker device. Learn about famous inventor and engineer Lonnie Johnson, how his invention took the toy world by storm.

For a printable flyer of ”Local Treasures: Celebrating African-American Contributions in Our Community” programs, please visit our Education Programs page.

This initiative was made possible thanks to the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission’s Distinctly Dane grant program with additional funds from the Madison Gas & Electric Foundation, Dan Erdman, Electronic Theatre Controls, and CUNA Mutual Group, as well as the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Members, come party in your PJs this Friday 1/20!

All members of Madison Children’s Museum are invited to put on their PJs and head to the museum this Friday night from 6-8 to hunker down for some bedtime fun at the Members Pajama Party! We’ll have arts and crafts, animal visitors from Henry Vilas Zoo, a bedtime snack courtesy of Whole Foods Market Madison, story time, and two hours of play in our exhibits to tire you out for a night of good rest.

If you can, please bring a set of new pajamas or a new book for the Pajama Program — an organization that provides pajamas & books to children in need, many of whom are waiting to be adopted.

The Pajama Party is free for MCM members. No RSVP necessary … just bring your membership card and enjoy the fun!

‘What do you do on the Rooftop Ramble in the winter?’

As Rooftop Ramble coordinator, this is a question I often answer. The short answer is “a lot!” We have many animals that call the rooftop home. Families can see them anytime they visit the rooftop, no matter what the weather. The rooftop menagerie includes six hens, 14 homing pigeons, six mice, two snakes, three turtles, one tree frog, and various native Wisconsin fish. 

Our chickens live in their rooftop coop all winter. Last winter each of our six chickens continued to lay one egg per day. Our chickens are hardy, northern breeds that do well in cold weather: Buff Orpington, Black Australorp, and Dominique. They seem to enjoy the cold weather much more than those hot, humid summer days! 

We grow grasses for our chickens in our greenhouse all winter so they continue to get fresh, green treats throughout the year. We also sprout seeds and grains for our ladies and prepare healthy winter chicken treats that include garlic, grapeseed oil, and cracked corn. These foods keep them healthy and warm all winter.

Visit the Rooftop Ramble all winter for many cold-weather surprises. Take a look at our web calendar to view our drop-in programs and other upcoming events. You might even come up one day to discover an igloo and an ice skating rink! 

See you on the rooftop!

- Julie King, Rooftop Ramble Coordinator

Photo cutlines, from top: Bernice and Rosaline take a stroll through the woodland tunnel; Poachie takes a bath during the July heat wave; and Cheddar gets a tasty treat.

View real-time solar and weather data from the Rooftop Ramble by scrolling down to MCM on this page.