Brooklyn Children’s Museum to Launch Nature’s Engineers

On Saturday, December 2, Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) will celebrate the grand opening of its new natural science-inspired makerspace, Nature’s Engineers. This innovative space is designed for children to learn from nature and engage in hands-on STEM activities, fostering creativity and critical thinking.

Nature’s Engineers is a unique space where the marvels of natural science and the excitement of STEM education converge. It is a world where children become makers, inspired by the intricacies of nature and the principles of scientific inquiry. The space encompasses a diverse range of interactive and educational experiences, from exploring live animal habitats to delving into a selection of the Museum’s vast collection of over 30,000 objects, providing children with a diverse and rich educational experience.

The space will feature a rich array of specimens from the Museum’s natural science collection, including fossils, bird’s nests, and live animals such as tarantulas, colorful isopods, and native garter snakes. These exhibits provide a unique, up-close learning environment that blend the wonders of the natural world with scientific investigation.

In addition to self-guided exploration, Nature’s Engineers will offer a variety of rotating programs specifically designed for families and school groups. These programs, led by BCM’s STEM educators, will focus on developing skills in close observation, inquiry, and scientific processes. Activities will include sorting, grouping, categorizing, matching, and counting, enabling children to delve deeper into natural science concepts.

Each month will feature new programs, adaptable to suit a range of ages from 2-8, ensuring engaging and age-appropriate experiences for young learners. Starting in December, visitors will create and test building nests that can hold various sized bird's eggs, inspired by BCM's own collection.

“We are thrilled to round out 2023 with the opening of an exciting, interactive STEM makerspace,” says Brooklyn Children’s Museum President and CEO Atiba T. Edwards. “Nature’s Engineers is more than just a new exhibit; it's a launchpad for curiosity and innovation. It’s designed to inspire our young visitors and nurture the next generation of Brooklyn's engineers, veterinarians, conservationists, and science teachers!”

Nature’s Engineers aims to inspire a new generation of problem solvers and innovators by connecting them with nature's intricate systems and cycles. With its mission rooted in guided inquiry and creativity, the space promises a unique, hands-on learning experience that blends the exploration of the natural world with STEM principles.

Nature’s Engineers opens Saturday, December 2, 2023. The space will be open every week on Thursdays from 2:30 pm–4:30 pm during the Museum’s Amazon Free Hours, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 am–4:30 pm. Entry to Nature’s Engineers is included with general admission. To purchase tickets, visit: https://www.brooklynkids.org/tickets/

About Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Inspired by the energy and diversity of our borough, Brooklyn Children’s Museum creates experiences that ignite curiosity, celebrate identity and cultivate joyful learning. Founded in 1899 as the world’s first children’s museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) is New York City’s largest cultural institution designed especially for families. Proudly based in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, BCM serves 300,000 children and caregivers annually with exhibits and programs grounded in visual arts, music and performance, natural science, and world cultures. For more information, visit: https://www.brooklynkids.org/