Students participate in hands-on learning, perform experiments thanks to ASD, Da Vinci Science Center partnership | Lehigh Valley Regional News

ALLENTOWN, Pa. – This year, all students at Central Elementary in Allentown will be part of a groundbreaking learning experience.

“We do not think there’s anything like it anywhere,” said Lin Erickson, CEO of Da Vinci Science Center.

The Central Elementary STREAM Academy at the Da Vinci Science Center, which stands for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art and Math, is truly one of a kind.

“I don’t know any public school that literally partnered with the museum to have their children come daily,” said Kendal Askins, who heads the ASD, Da Vinci Science Center partnership.

Students will call the Science Center their second school complete with classrooms. Central Elementary School principal Rebecca Bodnar said, “Our pre-K through second grade comes here once on a five-day cycle, so basically once a week for four hours.”

Students are applying what they learn in the classroom to hands-on learning and experiments when they are at Da Vinci. Educators said it is already having a profound effect on their education.

“The children love coming here. They’re asking more questions, wondering about things, excited to try things, and really engaging with what’s happening,” said Askins.

“They’re really taking a look at the world around them and applying their learning with their knowledge,” said Bodnar.

Students love the STREAM academy so much Bodnar said attendance is up this year.

ASD and Da Vinci Science Center said they hope to continue to grow their partnership and create a national model for schools and museum partnerships.

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