SUMA, Frehner Museum offer K–12 educational tours
By Brooke Vlasich
From Oct. 16 to Dec. 14, the Southern Utah Museum of Art and the Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History are offering K–12 educational tours. These tours, led by Southern Utah University student volunteers, include a visit to both SUMA and the Frehner Museum as well as educational activities that reinforce creative learning through art and science. Tours are available Tuesdays–Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Spring tours will run Jan. 22 through April 12.
“The collaboration between these two museums is unique because it pairs art and science,” said Dr. Jacqualine Grant, museum director of the Garth and Jerri Frehner Museum of Natural History. “At the Frehner Museum, we love the challenge of finding the science hook that links our programming to SUMA’s. This challenge keeps each year’s programming fresh and stimulating to our staff. These tours are important to students and teachers in southern Utah because they expand our awareness and our ways of thinking about science, art, and Utah’s amazing natural resources.”
Two types of educational tours are available. For grades K–5, the art and science museum tour teaches students about the connections between art and the natural world. Afterwards, they create art based on their visit. The museum practices tour for grades 6–12 features a behind-the-scenes tour of both museums to show students the best practices and tools to run their own museum. Upon completing the tour, students will work in groups to design their own museums and curate an exhibit from their museum design.
“We want teachers to view these museums as community resources that can enhance educational experiences,” said community engagement associate Arielle Altenburg. “Our K-12 tours are another way for teachers to encourage more experiential learning for their students while still connecting to curriculum content and standards,”
Tours have been offered since September 2016 and are available during both the fall and spring semesters. This past year, tours served over 2,800 students in Iron, Washington, and Kane Counties. Teachers who have reviewed the tours find them to be beneficial resources for their classrooms.
“It was great to show students some of the wonderful things that are in our community while being able to reinforce core curriculum,” said Becca Esplin, a teacher from Fiddlers Canyon Elementary. “I loved how easy it was for me to connect what was being taught in the class to what was being taught by the museum guides.”
Teachers can sign up their classes for tours starting now. To sign up for tours or for more information, please visit suu.edu/pva/suma/education/k12-programs.html.
Schools are also eligible to apply for transportation waivers to SUMA. Only one application per teacher will be funded for each school year (Sept.–May). Applications are due one month before a tour visit. For more information on transportation funding, please visit suu.edu/pva/suma/education/bus-fund.html.
