Little Learners
Little Learners: Adventures in STEAM is an interactive preschool-aged (Ages 3 yrs to 6 yrs) program with lots of fun and hands-on activities! We will sharpen our science process skills as we experiment, read, explore, sing, and create! Learners will have time for structured weekly themed activities as well as time to explore our KidsPlace exhibit.
Dates and Times
Little Learners runs September to May, Wednesday mornings, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in our KidsPlace Area.
Please note, the rest of the science center will NOT be available for exploration after the conclusion of Little Learners at 11am on Wednesdays.
Other Details
Please enter through the 3rd Street entrance (This entrance can be found across the street from Strawberry Square).
Parents MUST stay with participants while in Whitaker Center!
Pricing
Members: $3 per child
Non-members: $10 per child
Each child ticket includes admission for one accompanying adult.
If inquiring about complimentary admission with an ACCESS card, please contact info@whitakercenter.org to discuss the registration process.
Registration
Pre-registration is required. Registration will stay open until 10 am the day of the program.
This can be done in advance via the ticketing links below or by contacting the box office at 717-214-ARTS.
September Themes:
Welcome Back Young Scientists!
This first month of our Little Learners program is themed “Me and My City” . We’ll be exploring the science of our senses and how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math are used by community helpers to create a better city for us to live in! We’ll also explore how using our own STEM skills can help us to be better citizens of our community!
Wednesday 9/18: Community Helpers
Who helps to make our communities better? There are so many community helpers, let’s learn more about these workers who are essential to making our city great!
- Who are Essential Workers? What do they do?
- How do Essential Workers use their Senses?
- How do Essential Workers use STEAM?
Wednesday 9/25: Citizen Scientists
As a scientist and a citizen there are lots of things we can do to make our community a better place to live in!
- What is a citizen?
- How can I use my senses to be a good citizen?
- How can I use STEM to be a good citizen?
October Themes:
Welcome to Spooktober!
EEK! October is a time when we see a lot of spooky or scary decorations, stories and animals, but there’s no need to be scared! Let’s learn more about these topics so we can understand them and not be afraid! We’ll end the month with a fun Halloween themed Little Learners, where learners may come in costume if they wish.
Wednesday 10/2: Creepy Crawlies
Spiders and insects may not be everyone’s favorite, but they are an important part of our ecosystem.
- Why do we need spiders and insects?
- What is a spider?
- What is an insect?
Wednesday 10/9: Night Animals
Are there really animals who stay up all night?!? Let’s learn more about these crazy critters who go bump in the night.
- What animals are nocturnal?
- Why would an animal be nocturnal?
Wednesday 10/16: Meet Jack, Jack O’Lantern
Have you ever seen a scary face carved on a pumpkin? What does the inside of a pumpkin look like? Let’s find out at Little Learners this week!
- How do pumpkins grow?
- What’s inside a pumpkin?
- What can we use a pumpkin for?
Wednesday 10/23: Monster Mash
Spooky Scary Skeletons, Wacky Witches, and Garish Ghouls! Let’s take the mask off of monsters and learn more about what’s real and what’s just spooky pretend.
- What is real?
- What is pretend?
- Why do we pretend?
Wednesday 10/30: Halloween
Come dressed in your best costume to complete some Halloween STEAM Challenges and games. We’ll even do a fun experiment together!
- How is Halloween Celebrated?
- What are good Halloween Safety Rules?
Thank you to Penn National Insurance for sponsoring this program.
