OMSI

Bringing immersive hands-on science education online is not an easy task, but the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry did just that in March 2020 when the pandemic hit. The museum launched the Stay Home, Stay Curious website, offering educational and engaging content to help fill the gap when schools closed.

In the fall, they continued building resources for families and educators—including a Science at Home program that centered online science curriculum around weekly themes like ecology, chemistry, and genetics—but they didn’t stop with these digital efforts. Recognizing essential workers needed care options for their kids, they sought emergency approval to launch OMSI Homeroom in October 2020, a full-time childcare program at the museum.

“We knew that regardless of how the school year turned out, working families would need a safe place for their students to go while caregivers were working,” said Brian Berry, OMSI classes and outreach director. “We’re proud to have helped so many students through their online learning, and supplemented their education with fun and engaging science programming.”