OXFORD, Miss. – Even if it’s sunny and warm, 7-year-old Owen Bruce prefers to spend his Wednesday afternoons at Too Cool After School rather than playing outside.
Bruce is one of 25 elementary students who rarely misses the University of Mississippi Museum’s Too Cool After School program. This past year, the program focused on astronomy, an area in which most parents may not be proficient.
“The program exposes the children to ideas we would never be able to do at home, but in a way that is electrifying,” said John Bruce, father of the Oxford Elementary School second-grader. “They gave all the kids a telescope. It’s hands-on creativity and discovery, which is a wonderful combination.”
Entering its third year, Too Cool After School embarks on another journey Jan. 6, examining the art, history and science of all 50 U.S. states. The weekly program meets from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Wednesdays at the University Museum.
“We’ll be building an actual map of the U.S., and examine each state in the order in which they became states, starting with Delaware,” said Holly Bethune, the museum’s education curator. “We hope to expose the children to how the country was formed visually by examining the various artists and scientists from each state.”
American schoolchildren have memorized state capitals for generations, but Bethune said the museum program will help shed light on aspects of the states that children may not learn in school.
“We’re basically going to introduce the children to the country that they live in,” Bethune said.
Participants are slated to assemble individual geography books and U.S. maps over the course of the spring. The program uses the museum’s collections to help enlighten the children.
“If a museum ever had a fan club, these children are my biggest fans,” Bethune said. “Many times they even refer to the museum as ‘their museum,’ not the university’s museum.”
Bethune said she has two goals: fill in the gaps for public schools that have to teach a standardized curriculum and develop lifelong museum patrons.
“When I see the children tear through the doors to get started, then beg to stay after we close, those actions reveal that we are having a positive impact,” Bethune said.
Bruce, a UM associate professor of political science, said Owen is excited to return to the Too Cool After School program.
“Owen loves it,” Bruce said. “He likes Mrs. Bethune and all of the other kids. It’s a great opportunity.”
Participation is free to any first- through sixth-grader, but space is limited to 25 students. Parents can register their children by calling Holly Bethune at 662-915-7205.
For more information on programs and exhibits at the University Museum, go to http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/