Cleveland Museum Of Natural History Receives Education Grant

Press release from Cleveland Museum of Natural History:

Sept. 3, 2021

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has awarded the Cleveland Museum of Natural History a $183,655 Museums for America federal grant to support a multidisciplinary educational initiative serving East Cleveland elementary-school students. The grant will provide three years of funding for the Museum’s “SLAM Dunk” program, which uses the Museum’s extensive collection to achieve science, literacy, and math learning objectives for more than 300 kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders. It also builds on the Museum’s initiatives to provide authentic experiences for all ages and broadens its service to the community focused on expanding scientific literacy.

“Natural history museums such as ours are among the few places where our community can learn about new scientific knowledge and understand its relevance to our lives,” says Sonia Winner, the Museum’s President & CEO. “Mission-based community-outreach initiatives like the IMLS-funded SLAM Dunk program—in conjunction with our ongoing work to physically transform the Museum and reimagine the visitor experience—will pave the way for creating lasting connections to the natural world.”

The “SLAM” component of the program’s name—standing for “Science, Literacy, and Math”—represents the cross-curricular nature of the initiative. “Dunk” refers to the Museum’s nickname for one of its most important icons, Dunkleosteus terrelli, which has a particular connection to the region’s history. Approximately 58 million years ago, during the Devonian Period, Dunk was the fiercest fish of the ancient shallow sea that covered what is now Northeast Ohio; its scythe-like jawbones generated as much biting force as those of the largest alligators. The Museum holds some of the world’s best-preserved Dunkleosteus terrelli fossils, which are used as learning tools to spark curiosity in people of all ages.

“We’re offering early opportunities for these young students to see the Museum as a lifelong resource,” says Renata Brown, the Museum’s Director of School & Family Learning. “By providing enjoyable experiences associated with the Museum, we will inspire these students to continue down their own unique paths of discovery and help them feel that the Museum is a safe, welcoming, and inclusive space for them and their families—even long after they complete the SLAM Dunk program.”

Through the SLAM Dunk program, which also receives support from the John C. and Sally S. Morley Family Foundation of the Cleveland Foundation, all East Cleveland City Schools kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders will become increasingly familiar with Dunk as they engage with the Museum at several points throughout each school year. In total, the program consists of eight components: Museum visits, school visits, teacher professional development, access to the Museum’s premier teaching aids through a school-wide membership to its Educator Resource Center, books and STEM materials for students and classrooms, an exclusive Museum Family Day for program participants, a library pass program, and camp scholarships. The combined offerings will foster new and sustained relationships between more than 1,000 individuals and the Museum and its staff. Ultimately, the program will advance the Museum’s mission to inspire, through science and education, a passion for nature, the protection of natural diversity, the fostering of health, and leadership to a sustainable future.

“As a civic institution and vital community asset, we remain committed to providing all learners with the opportunity to love nature and science,” says Winner. “Our mission, as it has been for more than 100 years, is to engage the next generation of scientists and leaders as they develop deeper relationships with the world around us.”

IMLS received 394 applications for this year’s grant awards. Of these, 126 projects were selected to receive funding. The Museums for America grant program provides funding in support of projects that strengthen the ability of an individual museum to serve its public with a focus on one of three categories—lifelong learning, community anchor, and collections stewardship and access. The Museum’s SLAM Dunk program is categorized under lifelong learning. Grants were awarded based on the grantee’s ability to provide high-quality and inclusive learning experiences. Additionally, grantees were tasked with demonstrating that museums are unique teaching and inquiry-focused institutions that can supplement and enhance traditional classroom-based instruction.

"As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services, and collections. These institutions are trusted spaces where people can learn, explore, and grow,” says IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and enhance their communities."

This press release was produced by Cleveland Museum of Natural History. The views expressed here are the author's own.