We celebrated
our 21st birthday
last March

Intrinsic to the goal of creating our children’s museum was the core concept that they were creating this facility for EVERYONE! That spirit of inclusion is still alive and well at the Discovery Center!

With the tremendous support of the Nissan Foundation, Bank of America Foundation, AT&T Foundation, US Bank and Tennessee Pediatrics, the Discovery Center is reaching more children and families in the community than ever.

Project Reach Out
Project Reach Out is designed to 1) increase accessibility to the culturally diverse exhibits and programs the museum offers and 2) engage children and families in the exploration and appreciation of their own cultures and the diverse cultures of others. Between August 2004 and October 2008, we have:

·        Provided free programming for 8,650 school children that are on the federal free/reduced lunch program. 
·        Opened Discovery Center to the community for 37 free cultural, arts and family events.  Since 2004, 37,595 children and families have enjoyed events such as Dia de los Reyes, Hands on Tennessee and Just Me and My Dad. 

Project Reach Out was a finalist for the Frist Foundation’s Salute to Excellence Making a Difference Award in 2007. 

Parents & Tots Outreach
In 2006, Discovery Center established the Parents and Tots Outreach program for children ages five and under, their parents, and caregivers at local Head Start agencies. During each program, a theme is explored through stories, songs, finger-plays, art projects, animal encounters, and more.  Parents are encouraged to expand on the lesson at home to further the instruction.  Last year, 64 free visits were made to local Head Start classes!

“We hope the outreach program can continue, especially for Cannon County, which has so few opportunities for children and families.” Canon County Head Start Coordinator



Families Helping Families
The Families Helping Families program helps to ensure accessibility to the Discovery Center for all audiences. Discovery Center works with community organizations to reach families that would likely not attend the Center without encouragement and financial assistance. Discovery Center makes available information about our programs and free memberships to families who need them. Since its inception, over 700 families have benefited from donations made by other families and community organizations.  
 

Discovering Healthy Families
Discovering Healthy Families is a key initiative started in 2006 in response to the local and nation-wide epidemic of childhood obesity.  In collaboration with the HCA Foundation, StoneCrest Medical Center, Middle Tennessee State University, the American Heart Association and Murfreesboro City Schools, the Discovering Healthy Families program is affecting true lifestyle changes in participating families.

Discovering Healthy Families is a 3-month program that focuses on improving eating habits and increasing physical activity of entire families through fitness assessments, goal setting, support from Family Health Coaches and hands-on learning.   Families attend a series of special hands-on events at Discovery Center, where they record fitness measures, set SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) and learn hands-on about portion control, label reading, exercise, pedometer use and monitoring, and healthy recipes. 

Discovery Center was awarded an Honorable Mention for the Discovering Healthy Families program through the Association of Children’s Museums 2007 “Promising Practice Awards.”