Brooklyn Children's Museum and National Grid Bring Free STEM Activities to Families

On Thursday, October 23, Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM), in collaboration with National Grid, will host Bright Habits Powered by National Grid to celebrate Energy Awareness Month. Families are invited to a fun afternoon of hands-on workshops that show how small, everyday actions can make a big difference for our planet.

The free event runs from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm during BCM’s Community Access hours on Thursday afternoons. Through storytelling, hands-on experiments, and creative play, kids will discover how everyday choices—like turning off the lights when leaving a room—can make a real difference for the environment. The afternoon will feature two special read-aloud sessions: National Grid staff will read from eco-friendly children's books at 2:30 pm, followed by author Charnaie Gordon reading from her book A Planet Like Ours at 3:30 pm.

At BCM’s Nature’s Engineers STEM makerspace, young engineers can take on the ‘Spin to Win’ challenge by building wind turbine blades and testing their designs to see which generates the most power and earns a spot on the leaderboard. Sessions run at 2:30 pm, 3:10 pm, 3:50 pm, and 4:30 pm.
Families can also stop by the National Grid station to pick up free weatherization kits and learn other practical ways to save energy at home, and contribute to the ‘Bright Ideas’ pledge wall, where kids can commit to the energy-saving habits they’ve learned.

“The Brooklyn Children's Museum isn't just a cultural landmark—it's been a launchpad for young people's dreams for generations. As National Grid embarks on an expansion of our social impact initiatives, partnering with an institution that has such deep roots in youth development feels both natural and exciting. Together, we're not just continuing a legacy; we're powering the potential of Brooklyn's children for decades to come,” said Robert Simmons, Vice President of Social Impact, National Grid.

“Brooklyn families care deeply about our environment and our future, and at BCM we believe in empowering children through hands-on learning,"” said Atiba T. Edwards, President and CEO of Brooklyn Children’s Museum. “We’re excited to partner with National Grid on this event, where children can experiment, build, and discover how their everyday actions impact the world around them. What they learn today will shape the choices they make for years to come.”

About Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Inspired by the energy and diversity of our borough, Brooklyn Children’s Museum creates experiences that ignite curiosity, celebrate identity and cultivate joyful learning. Founded in 1899 as the world’s first children’s museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum is New York City’s largest cultural institution designed especially for families. Proudly based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, BCM serves 300,000 children and caregivers annually with exhibits and programs grounded in visual arts, music and performance, natural science, and world cultures. For more information, visit: www.brooklynkids.org.