Wearing Lab Coats and Using Magnifying Glasses, They Learned How Authentic Works of Art Connect to Their Core Classroom Curriculum

Third graders from the Walnut School in Uniondale had a productive day at the Hofstra University Museum. They took part in the Museum’s “Art Travelers” program.

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Two third grade classes from the Walnut School in Uniondale, NY, visited the Hofstra University Museum’s Emily Lowe Gallery as part of the Art Travelers Through Time program, made possible by grants from JPMorgan Chase and the Long Island Community Foundation. The visit took place on Tuesday, December 4, 2012.

Representatives from the Long Island Community Foundation were on hand on Tuesday to see the Art Travelers program in action.

Hofstra University Museum Educators introduced the third graders (who were wearing lab coats and using magnifying glasses) to the unlimited possibilities for museums to expand and enrich their world. The Art Travelers program fosters links between classroom curriculum and the study of authentic cultural objects selected from the Museum’s collection. The children had the opportunity to see pieces from the Hofstra University Museum’s permanent collection and works from the current exhibition Toward Greater Awareness: Darfur and American Activism.  The children have been learning about Africa in school these past few months.

The Hofstra University Museum has been awarded the highest honor a museum can receive, continued accreditation by the American Association of Museums (AAM). Approximately 4 percent of museums nationwide have earned this distinguished recognition. Accreditation certifies that the Hofstra University Museum operates according to professional standards, manages its collections responsibly and provides quality service to the public.

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