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Imagine Children's Museum has received a prestigious Museums for America grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

The total grant amount is $250,000 over three years. This significant funding will support their Small science lab program, an initiative that aims to inspire young people through playful learning and hands-on experiences in science and mathematics.

The Little Science Lab program is a weekly 30-minute interactive session. The program is free and has become a cornerstone of their commitment to early childhood education.

These Imagine educator-led sessions take place in public libraries, community centers, and preschools, and provide children with engaging, hands-on activities that promote basic science and math skills. To further support the diverse community, sessions can be bilingual and include Spanish-language resources and support from community translation partners.

“We are excited to expand the Little Science Lab program to more communities,” said Elizabeth (Elee) Wood, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of the Imagine Children's Museum. “Research has shown that young children have a high capacity to learn scientific concepts and principles. The earlier we stimulate their interest in science and support their ability to explore and discover, the more successful they will be.”

This grant will enable a dedicated staff member to focus on fostering community partnerships, expanding the number of program sites across the region, and deepening the impact of early science and math learning. The staff member will work closely with partners to identify and meet the specific needs of underserved communities and ensure more equitable access to high-quality early learning opportunities.

The need for this expansion is obvious. Recent data shows that children entering kindergarten in Washington state often lack adequate math and science skills. According to the 2022-23 Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS), only 66% of children in kindergarten in Washington enter school with the math skills expected for their age.

In Everett Public Schools, only 49% of kindergarten students were ready in all six developmental areas assessed, including math. Moreover, challenges remain as students advance further in school: Only 55.9% of all district students meet science standards, and 51.7% of all district students meet math standards.

This program also addresses the critical need for teacher and parent support. Many preschool teachers and families feel unprepared to teach preschool math and science due to a lack of accessible, engaging resources and training. The expanded program includes professional development workshops and family engagement activities to bridge this gap and create a positive, supportive learning environment.

The expansion of the Little Science Lab also includes monthly Math evenings for the whole family at Imagine Children's Museum and other locations in the community. These events are designed to engage families in fun, educational activities to encourage the development of early math and science skills.

With this grant, Imagine Children's Museum aims to increase its impact in the community and provide children, families, and teachers with the tools they need to succeed. Together with its partners, we look forward to making meaningful progress in early childhood education and building a stronger foundation for future learning.

Museums for America (MFA) is the largest grant opportunity of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the premier source of federal funding for the nation's libraries and museums. Imagine Children's Museum is one of 115 museums of varying size, discipline, and geographic location across the United States selected as an MFA grant recipient this fiscal year, and one of only two institutions in Washington State. Nationwide, recipient institutions will receive $23,361,915 in federal funding to support strategic, project-based initiatives to engage the public through exhibitions, educational programs, professional development, research, and collections management.

“As pillars of our communities, libraries and museums bring people together by providing important programs, services and collections. These institutions are trusted places where people can learn, explore and grow,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “IMLS is proud to support their initiatives through our grants as they educate and improve their communities.”