iSPY TEACHES STEM TO LOCAL PRESCHOOL STUDENTS

The mission of the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County is to provide children, from birth to 5 years old, a high-quality, equitable and inclusive early learning experience to prepare them for success in school and life through the collaboration of families, educators and the community.

Te Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County created a free program that brings STEM to preschoolers. iSpy Tampa Bay has been brought to more than 100 classrooms so far, and it’s looking to add more. Schools in Valrico and Riverview are currently using the iSpy program.

Recently, the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County created a free program that brings STEM to preschoolers. iSpy Tampa Bay has been brought to more than 100 classrooms so far, and it’s looking to add more. Schools in Valrico and Riverview are currently using the iSpy program. “The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County created the program because state tests show only half of kids in Tampa Bay are ready for kindergarten,” said Alison Fraga, chief development ofcer for the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, “so thousands of kids are starting school each year without the basic skills they need to succeed. This STEM program is one way to fix that.”

The Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County, in partnership with ZooTampa, The Florida Aquarium and the Glazer Children’s Museum, strives to improve reading, science and mathematics

TAMPA MUSEUM OF ART’S CENTENNIAL RENOVATION CELEBRATED WITH THE OPENING OF SEVEN NEW EXHIBITION SPACES

By Libby Hopkins

literacies among preschool students ages 3-5 through playbased learning activities.

The iSpy Tampa Bay program provides the opportunity to engage children in science and nature play both in the classroom and at home. The program promotes natural curiosity, increases vocabulary and sparks imagination. “Each child gets a backpack full of STEM learning tools like magnifying glasses and binoculars,” Fraga said. “Kids also get a free family membership to the Glazer Children’s Museum, The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa. Plus, teachers get special training to use STEM to help kids learn the key skills they need like math, reading and vocabulary.”

Only half of Tampa Bay’s students are entering kindergarten with the skills needed to succeed in school, according to state testing. “iSpy Tampa Bay is aiming to reverse that trend by bringing STEM learning into child care centers and preschools by using fun play to teach real science, math and reading skills,” Fraga said.

If you would like to learn more about the programs ofered by the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County or if you want to learn more about its iSpy Tampa Bay program, visit www.elchc.org.

The Tampa Museum of Art is thrilled to announce the ofcial opening of seven new exhibition spaces. During the museum’s recently held Renovation Celebration, Tampa Bay’s leaders, museum benefactors and members gathered to mark the conclusion of the museum’s Centennial Renovation project phase, which began construction in mid-2021. The new spaces include the transformation of underused storage rooms into the Vinik Family Education Center and seven new exhibition galleries. The spaces are designed by New York-based WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism, the firm also responsible for the expansion of the existing museum building.

With the completion of the renovation phase of the Centennial Renovation and Expansion, the museum’s exhibition and collection space has grown from 14,800 square feet to more than 43,000 square feet, including a renovated sculpture gallery on the first floor and a flexible multimedia gallery space on the second floor. The lobby of the existing building has been remodeled into a sculpture atrium, making art the focus of the visitor experience immediately upon entering the building.

The education spaces, now known as the new Vinik Family Education Center, have also grown from 1,400 square feet to more than 8,000 square feet.

To date, the Vinik Family Education Center has served over 12,000 adults, children

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and teens through camps, studio classes, tours, art-therapy-informed programs and more.

“The Renovation Celebration marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Tampa Museum of Art,” said Michael Tomor, the Tampa Museum of Art’s Penny and Jef Vinik executive director. “With our expanded exhibition and education spaces, we are thrilled to be able to showcase the diverse work of so many talented artists and ofer more programming to our visitors. We look forward to continuing to represent the vibrant community that we serve.”

As part of the realignment of space, WEISS/MANFREDI designed a new transparent facade surrounding the first floor of the museum, allowing the community to experience the museum’s mission 365 days a year.

The next phase will be the construction of a stunning 55,000-square-foot expansion, which will transform the museum into a vibrant hub of art and culture. Designed as a crystalline pier extending the museum to the edge of the river, the new expansion will create a series of interconnected, multifunctional spaces that triple the event space from 7,200 square feet to 25,600 square feet. The new addition will include a 150-seat auditorium, an art lounge, a large event space and a rooftop event venue, all of which will provide flexible settings for a wide range of art and cultural programming.