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Why we believe in the importance of MY Museum
Case Statement
Each child is an inventor, a teacher, a scientist, an artist. Children are
naturally curious about the world, wanting to know how and why and where. If you’ve recently spent
time with a three-year old, you know this from personal experience.
It is well documented that play is an essential part of any child’s
well-being. It is primarily through play that a child learns, discovers and creates. But “play” is
currently under attack. The lives of our children are becoming heavily structured and regimented,
leaving little time for the precious benefits gained from play. Busy lives, soccer practice, home
computers and the rise of academic standardized testing have placed children’s very spirit at risk. We
need to remember as one educator stated, “Einstein never used flash cards.”
It is through the process of hands-on interactive discovery and play that
children are able to identify what their needs are, and to communicate these needs to teachers,
parents, and peers. By asking questions, children learn more effectively, increasing their self-esteem
and “learning-to-learn” skills.
It is not easy to create a place where a child can learn without limits.
Each child is unique. While some respond to the written word, others delight in sounds, or in the
order and structure of mathematics. It is theorized that there are at least seven different
intelligences, or learning styles. The child who learns best kinesthetically, using his or her body to
explore the world, may not gain insight from written lessons. And the child who can read and remember
may not understand that which is spoken. Unfortunately, many of our schools, given their limited
resources and the increased demand for measurable results, can no longer try and teach to each child’s
personal style. More and more children are failing to find success in our traditional educational
environment. These are just a few of the invaluable lessons that are addressed by MY Museum’s
unstructured learning environment.
At MY Museum, children are given the opportunity to internalize knowledge
through the hands-on exhibits. Through first hand experience, real learning occurs on many levels. As
one educator has proclaimed, “The next frontier is clear for us. We need to grow a generation of
people who can use facts to solve problems, not merely digest facts. We have to help our children
became creative explorers who own knowledge, not just memorize it.”
Communities that embrace a sense of responsibility toward their children's
futures must seek to create safe places where they can happily play and use their imaginations
--places in which there are few limitations and endless possibilities. Even more valuable is a place
where children and adults can play together. Studies constantly confirm that play is an important
bonding experience for families, and that play involving parents or other significant adults enhance
the learning process. Creating such a place for learning and discovering through play is MY Museum’s
primary mission.
Howard Gardner, the Harvard psychologist who developed the theory of
multiple intelligences, describes children’s museums as “playgrounds for the mind.” It is here that
children learn most creatively, trying out new ideas and ways of learning, seeking to understand the
world in their own unique way. MY Museum, as the name implies, focuses on learning about oneself, also
called, “self science.” Here children can discover their own learning styles in dynamic, interactive
exhibits designed specifically to enhance creativity and personal growth. The Museum doesn’t teach
kids what to think it teaches them how to think.
Founded in 1997, MY Museum began as a Junior League project, and has since
evolved into a community based, nonprofit 501 (c) 3 organization. With the help of the City of
Monterey, MY Museum has operated for the past eight years from a temporary location within Monterey's
Wave Street parking garage. In a space of 2,700 square feet, the museum has served over 150,000
residents and tourists alike. An additional 80,000 have been served through the museum's outreach
programs. The success and demand for MY Museum's programs is undeniable. Also undeniable is the need
for MY Museum to establish a permanent home. There are an estimated 100,000 youth living in Monterey
County, representing a diverse array of cultural and racial backgrounds. The current facility is
inadequate to meet the needs of our children.
Monterey County annually attracts over four million visitors, making it
one of California’s most popular visitor destinations. Events such as the Monterey Jazz Festival and
the AT&T Pro Am Golf Tournament are attended by visitors from around the world. In addition, the area
serves as one of the top five conference locations in the country. Many of these visitors are families
who actively seek attractions they can experience together.
MY Museum is currently engaged in a Capital Campaign to raise $3 million
for the purchase of an 8,000 square-foot building in downtown Monterey at 425 Washington Street. The
new building will allow MY Museum to increase the number of its exhibits and broaden the age range of
children whom it serves. The new location is more prominent and convenient for families and school
groups. The current facility for example, is not stroller accessible, nor does it have a restroom.
With a larger building, My Museum will also be able to attract traveling exhibits, further enhancing
the quality of its programs.
MY Museum has experienced consistent growth during its eight-year history
and has grown to be an integral part of the community that serves our youth. School groups from all
over Monterey County regularly visit. Families of all sizes and backgrounds find a meaningful
experience at MY Museum (The Museum regularly provides subsidized admission to the economically
disadvantaged, insuring attendance is available to all). MY Museum has developed a proven formula for
success based on fulfilling the very real need for positive places in which children and adults can
learn and play together. MY Museum is in desperate need of a permanent home to accommodate development
of its programs in addition to increasing access to families all over Monterey County and beyond. The
realization of a new home and location for the Museum brings with it the promise of increased
opportunities for children and families to experience healthy play and to grow stronger communities.
Our futures are brighter when we invest in our children. Help create a
brighter future by investing in MY Museum.
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