POD-CACHE is back with a new season! In our debut episode, we chat with Amy Baird from the Discovery Museum in Newcastle. Amy tells us about her early years sessions called 'Tiny Sparks', organised for families with 3-5 year old children, which are themed around STEM subjects. We explore how connecting museum objects from diverse collections with stories and interactive play can aid children in learning and developing both their fine and gross motor skills. Amy also walks us through her plans for future sessions and her goal towards making them more accessible, working together with a number of community partners.

Want to skip ahead?

(0:00-1:42) Introduction to Amy from the Discovery Museum, Newcastle

(1:42-3:50) Planning for varied groups and formal/informal sessions

(3:50-5:45) What is the Discovery Museum?

(5:45-8:20) Museums as a place of learning

(8:20-9:52) Early years sessions - Tiny Sparks

(9:52-13:55) Maximising learning in a 1 hour session

(13:55-18:27) Engaging returning families and accessible sessions

(18:27-18:40) Break

(18:40-20:37) Choosing session topics & skill development

(20:37-23:30) Amy's journey into her role

(23:30-24:55) Development between collections at the museum

(24:55-26:00) Learning through play

(26:00-27:30) STEM's importance in the sessions

(27:30-29:43) Planning for the next academic year

(29:43-33:04) Following children's transitions between different life chapters

(33:04-35:24) How nursery/school groups can get involved

(35:24-36:33) Final notes and goodbye

Links:

Discovery Museum: https://discoverymuseum.org.uk/

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