Attention All 2nd Grade Educators! The Mid-Michigan Children’s Museum’s (MMCM) is launching a new, exciting STEM-based initiative for 2nd graders! The 2nd Graders are 1st Class Initiative will focus on expanding the experiential learning of second-grade students in the Great Lakes Bay Region and surrounding counties by teaching the properties of air and water using two of the Museum’s galleries. Research shows that firsthand experiences give students exceptional opportunities to build and apply knowledge, problem solve and think critically. The MMCM is uniquely positioned to use its A-Mazing Airways and Water, Water Everywhere galleries to teach properties of air and water to second-grade students in a hands-on, interactive environment through this initiative. High-quality academic lessons taught by the MMCM Education team are carefully crafted “learning expeditions” which cannot be duplicated in any classroom and are tailored to the Michigan Common Core standards. In addition to meeting the state standards, the lessons position 2nd graders at the very beginning of the “pipeline of talent in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)!” Now that we have your attention, are you ready to learn more, AND possibly win a field trip for your students? The MMCM has scheduled several free informative open houses with our Education Team, who will demonstrate the unique academic content of the initiative. Times and dates of each session, along with the lesson plans for each gallery, are included below. Please bring your family. Refreshments will be served. Participation is required to enter the field trip contest. Thursday, April 16, 3-6 p.m.; Demonstrations at 3:30, 4:15 & 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, 3-6 p.m.; Demonstrations at 3:30, 4:15 & 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 18, 1-4 p.m.; Demonstrations at 1:30, 2:15 & 3:00 p.m. Wed, July 15, 1-4 p.m.; Demonstrations at 1:30, 2:15 & 3:00 p.m. Wed., August 5, 1-4 p.m.; Demonstrations at 1:30, 2:15 & 3:00 p.m. Wed., August 19, 1-4 p.m.; Demonstrations at 1:30, 2:15 & 3:00 p.m.