Brought to California Kids by Valley Children’s Museum
Transforming California from a hunter-gatherer economy into today’s global agricultural and industrial powerhouse began with the mission system established by Spanish missionaries starting in the late 1700’s. This important time in California development comes to life with the Valley Children’s Museum’s “Moving Mission”.
“Inside the truck was very interesting. It was just like going into a mystery museum!” – Amy Lynn (4th Grader)
Fourth grade students and teachers will learn first hand about the California Missions and Native Americans when the 52’ expandable trailer filled with hands-on exhibits rolls into their schools and community festivals. During the course of the program, children assume the role of history detectives as they explore replicas of mission artifacts with activities such as building a mission, planning a mission farm and exploring mission culture and technology.
“So children oriented! The children learned a lot and were able to relate it to what we were studying.” – Ms. Sandberg (4th Grade Teacher)
The exhibits, which combine history with math, science and language arts, complement the prescribed California Mission curriculum and are developed and delivered with the assistance of the local educational community, museums and local associations. Discussions, along with pre and post-visit learning packets, extend the hands-on learning experience.
The Moving Mission has already been a tremendous success, delivering its engaging and exciting experience for several years as the Mervyn’s Moving Mission. Mervyn’s, a leading west coast department store chain, donated the Moving Mission to the Valley Children’s Museum who will be proud to carry on its work starting in 2008.
