Little Learners
Little Learners at Whitaker Center is an interactive STEAM program for three to six-year-olds filled 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 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.
Please enter through the 3rd Street entrance (This entrance can be found across the street from Strawberry Square).
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.
Pre-registration for Little Learners is required. This can be done in advance via the ticketing links below or by contacting the box office at 717-214-ARTS. You will be able to pre-register online at any point until the start of the program.
April Theme - Bring on Spring
This April we are ready to “Bring on Spring!” for our Little Learners. With Spring comes lots of rain and water, which means there are also rainbows, puddles, worms and flowers! Come explore all the wonderful things Spring has to offer young scientists!
Wednesday, April 3rd: Rainy Rainbows
Where there’s rain and sunshine, there is bound to be a rainbow! Come join us for some color mixing, and rainbow fun. We’ll see how many different ways we can make rainbows!
- What is a rainbow?
- What colors are in a rainbow?
- When do we see rainbows?
- Can we make a rainbow?
Wednesday, April 10th: Seed to Flower
Flowers are starting to bloom! But where do they come from? Let’s explore the life cycles of plants and learn more about what plants need to live and thrive!
- Where do flowers come from?
- What do plants need to live?
Wednesday, April 17th: Water, Water, Everywhere!
Water is so important for life on Earth, and we get a lot of water weather in spring. Come explore Volume and capacity and learn what happens to water after it goes down the drain. (This week will get wet! Learners and their adults may want to bring a spare change of clothes)
- Where does water come from?
- What is the Water Cycle?
- What is volume?
- What is Capacity?
Wednesday, April 24th: Wormy Dirt
Do you know why we see worms on the ground after it rains? Why are there so many worms in the dirt? And why are worms so important for a spring garden? Come find out the answers this week.
- What does a worm do?
- How can I help my garden to grow?
May Theme - Universe Explorers
As we wrap up Little Learners for this school year, we’ll explore some favored topics for our Preschool Aged Scientists! From the deepest sea, all the way to Outer Space, let’s see what all the universe has to show us! We’ll end our year with a Little Learner’s Techno and Technology party!
Wednesday May 1st: Deep Sea
The wonders of the ocean are beautiful and freaky, come learn more about the types of creatures that live from the darkest depths to the shoreline. We’ll pretend we’re Marine Biologists making discoveries that have never been seen before!
- What lives in the Ocean?
- How does the amount of sunlight affect ocean life?
Wednesday May 8th: Pirates and Shipwrecks
Pirates have fascinated children for years and probably will for years to come! Who doesn’t dream of sailing the 7 seas looking for treasure? Let’s find some treasure and some fun STEAM challenges this week!
- What is a Pirate?
- What can we learn from Shipwrecks?
- Who studies Pirates and Shipwrecks?
Wednesday May 15th: Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs lived millions of years ago, but we don’t have to time travel to explore the world of Dinos, just come to Little Learners and become a Jr. Paleontologist! We’ll have lots of fun dino themed activities and you’ll be able to create your own fossil to take home!
- What is a Dinosaur?
- Who Studies Dinosaurs?
- How do we learn about Dinosaurs?
Wednesday May 22th: Outer Space
Space may be the final frontier, but it’s not the final week of Little Learners! Come join us for some “Out of this world” fun this week at Little Learners. We’ll be astronauts exploring our solar system, or maybe the whole universe!
- What’s in Outer Space?
- How can I study Outer Space?
- Who does study Outer Space?
Wednesday May 29th: Techno and Technology Party
Fun Dance music and getting to explore some technology? What could be better! We’ll have great fun at our end of year party where we’ll get to explore and learn about technology safely! Don’t worry, Little Learners will return in September!
- How can I use Technology Safely?
Thank you to Penn National Insurance for sponsoring this program.
