How can we engage children and families in climate conversation and action?
How might we design a set of activities linked to Earth Day for use in the museum setting?
How can we talk with kids about climate change? The Lewisburg Children’s Museum is a non-profit organization that “inspires learning, imagination and play through interactive, enriching experiences in a safe, accessible environment to all children and their families.” Kahla D., the managing director, and Lindsey W., the education director, worked with Growing Greener to develop a set of activities for kids and their families linked to Earth Day 2020. The goal was to use Growing Greener’s tools to start family conversations about what family members are already doing, what they could be doing, and what their next step is to make our climate more sustainable.
The original workshop was scheduled for early April. Because of COVID-19, the Growing Greener team developed an online version of the activities. The Lewisburg Children’s Museum used them on April 22, Earth Day. The Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences also used the activities, as did fourth graders in Portland, OR. Altogether, more than 100 children participated. Kahla summarized the program’s appeal: “I think that this program is great for children and families to have positive conversations about climate change. I would very much recommend it for other organizations that offer children and family programming. It’s a fun, low-key way to think about your family’s environmental impact and consider reasonable changes you can make to your personal life. Climate change often feels overwhelming and as though there is nothing you can do about it. The game gives actionable, realistic steps to help individuals make a change.
“Climate change often feels overwhelming and as though there is nothing you can do about it. The game gives actionable, realistic steps to help individuals make a change.”Kahla D. – Managing Director, Lewisburg Children’s Museum