Grand Rapids Public Museum Awarded $25,000 Grant from PNC Foundation to Fund GRPS Preschool Program Including The Robot Zoo

The Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the PNC Foundation to bring children from 32 preschool classrooms to the Museum throughout April and early May. Students from Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) will visit the Museum for The Robot Zoo, a traveling exhibit which  opened last month to acclaim.

In addition to exploring The Robot Zoo, children will participate in curriculum designed around the exhibit to develop active listening, literacy engagement and play to explore where animals live and how animals developed to survive in their habitats.

“We are excited about this partnership with the Museum and GRPS and the opportunity to provide a unique science and math learning experience to more than 500 preschoolers and their teachers,” said PNC Regional President Sean Welsh, speaking on behalf of The PNC Foundation. “PNC recognizes the critical role that access to high-quality early childhood education plays in the lives of area children, their families and ultimately, our economy.”

The grant from the PNC Foundation will provide activities to hundreds of area preschool children, which includes story time, a tour of the Museum’s West Michigan Habitats exhibit, hands-on artifacts and large and small group activities. The highlight of the program is The Robot Zoo exhibit, featuring eight larger-than-life robotic animals, and a ride on the 1928 Spillman Carousel. The preschoolers will also take home bilingual Sesame Street® Math Is Everywhere™ kits and piggy banks provided by “A big thank you to PNC for making this possible,” said Dale Robertson, President and CEO at the GRPM. “We love seeing students benefit from the educational opportunities The GRPM brings in 30,000 school kids each year, with students visiting from every “We want to thank PNC Bank for their generosity and partnership,” said GRPS Superintendent Teresa Weatherall Neal. “Thanks to PNC, hundreds of children will now be able to enjoy our great Public Museum and The Robot Zoo exhibit.”

[image] credits GRAM