Highland’s Museum is a S.M.A.S.H.!
Pamela Hall
The Ashland Beacon
The Highland’s Museum & Discovery Center is Ashland’s very own gem of area culture and history preservation. There are wonderful displays and exhibits that are interesting to visitors of all ages. The Museum is dedicated, not only to preserving the history and culture of our area through these displays, exhibits, and events, but also promoting and providing interactive education experiences and programs. In a step toward the fulfillment of that dedication, there is a new educational program being offered on Thursday mornings at 11:00 called the S.M.A.S.H. Club.
The S.M.A.S.H. Club, which stands for Science, Math, Arts, Social Studies, and Health, is designed for children between the ages of two to five. However, everyone in the family may participate in the fun of learning.
“We did a trial run of the program in August,” said Karen Pierzala, Education Coordinator for the Highland’s Museum & Discovery Center. “It was so successful that we decided to continue with it.”
Each week, the program explores one of the subjects that the title represents. The visitors to the S.M.A.S.H. Club will learn about a particular topic within the specified subject for that week.
For example, in August for the week on Arts, the participants learned about American artist Jackson Pollock, who was known for his technique of splashing or splattering paint onto a canvas that was placed horizontally instead of vertically. S.M.A.S.H. Club participants then had the fun and enjoyment of creating their own splash or splatter painting.
For the next five weeks, the S.M.A.S.H. Club has scheduled topics that will be both fun and interesting, which is the best way to promote and encourage education and learning. The S.M.A.S.H. Club schedule and topic agenda for the next five weeks is:
September 7 – Science: Rain in a Jar
September 14 – Math: Corduroy’s Button Patterns
September 21 – Art: Pointillism Painting
September 28 – Social Studies: Community Helpers
October 5 – Fruits and Vegetables
The Highland’s Museum is also starting a S.M.A.S.H. Club punch card incentive. Each week that participants attend, their cards will be punched. For every five visits to the S.M.A.S.H. Club, the children will receive a special prize! What’s more fun than that?!
The cost of the S.M.A.S.H. Club events is included in the price of admission to the Museum, or Museum Membership. All S.M.A.S.H. Club activities are included at no extra charge.
The Highland’s Museum & Discovery Center is also a great resource for those who are involved in homeschooling, as well as other school groups. The Museum is currently booking tours and workshops for schools and homeschooling groups. To find out how to schedule a tour or workshop for your group, or for more information on the S.M.A.S.H. Club, contact Karen Pierzala, Education Coordinator, by calling the Museum at 606.329.8888. You may also email her at:
Make sure to set aside time to attend the S.M.A.S.H. Club on Thursday mornings at 11:00 at the Highland’s Museum & Discovery Center. You just might learn something new and have fun, too!