ANNUAL REPORT
2017 – 2018
REFLECTIONS FROM OUR FOUNDER & CEO
From the moment we opened our doors, we’ve demonstrated the positive impact hands-on, experiential learning has on a child — as well as a community.
This past year, our impact has grown exponentially. Thanks to a first-of-its-kind, district-wide partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, we brought our invention programming to even more middle schoolers of all backgrounds and income levels.
We were able to measure that impact through a Harvard PEAR Institute study, showing that our students are making significant gains in critical thinking skills, perseverance, and STEM identity.
This year also marked a major step towards KID Museum’s permanent home (where we project we’ll serve up to 300,000 people annually), with the allocation of $14.8 million by Montgomery County and the City of Rockville.
The County, the City of Rockville, MCPS, and so many others are confirming what we’ve known all along — that hands-on, maker-based learning experiences are not merely a nice-to-have, but a need-to-have that we cannot deny our children or our community.
Thanks to their support, as well as that of our many other partners, donors, and sponsors — and of course, our talented staff and volunteers — we’re making a real impact, providing our children with what they need to tackle life’s challenges and invent the future.
Cara Lesser
Founder & CEO
BY THE NUMBERS
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
At KID Museum, we believe that kids should take risks, work together, embrace failure, and pursue their passions. Our educator-developed “mind of a maker” (below) is an anchor for our programming, instilling students with the social-emotional foundation they’ll need to conquer the hard skills and address challenges — so that one day, they’ll be prepared to invent the future.
HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM
INVENT THE FUTURE CHALLENGE
In 2018, KID Museum launched a groundbreaking public-private partnership between KID Museum, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery County, and private sponsors. Over 500 middle school students took part in the Challenge this school year, the majority from low-income families and communities traditionally underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers.
Through hands-on, maker-based learning, small teams of students tackled some of our planet’s biggest challenges — developing innovative solutions to the question: What will you make to protect the planet?
School groups participated in multi-visit skill-building workshops at KID Museum and prototyped their inventions through the year. Through the act of designing their own inventions, they learned to think critically, persevere through failure, collaborate with others, and solve problems with creativity and imagination.
Learn more about Invent the Future
Harvard PEAR Institute study results based on students who participated in KID Museum’s Invention Studio Program.
HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM
CODING CORPS
KID Museum’s Coding Corps trained dozens of high school students in coding and coding instruction this year. Coding Corps was created to bring coding to more elementary and middle school kids—both at KID Museum and throughout the community—while also providing leadership opportunities for high school students.
Learn more about Coding Corps
HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM
CULTURAL PROGRAMS
KID Museum’s cultural programs attracted thousands of people this year through the World of Montgomery Festival and Cultural Days at the museum. Each month, KID teams up with embassies and cultural organizations to explore different countries and traditions through hands-on activities, live performances, and food. These popular programs highlight diversity and what it means to be a global citizen.
Learn more about Cultural Programs
HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM
MAKING CONNECTIONS WORK
KID MUSEUM’S IMLS FUNDED RESEARCH
KID Museum is entering its second year of cutting edge research, in partnership with George Mason University and Montgomery County Public Libraries. Making Connections Work examines how children develop STEM skills, with the goal of developing best practices for STEM engagement. Funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), this research explores how family members learn STEM skills when working directly with community experts.
FINANCIALS 2017
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Robert G. Brewer, Jr.
Lerch, Early & Brewer
Jill Chessen
Long & Foster
David Goldberg
Goldner LLC
Susan Hendrickson
Arnold & Porter
Charles J. LaDuca
Cuneo Gilbert & LaDuca
Corinna E. Lathan
AnthroTronix
Cara Lesser
KID Museum
Michael C. Lin
Formerly National Institutes of Health
Jerry Morenoff
Bethesda Fire Department
Alexandre H. Rene
Ropes & Gray
Sally A. Rosenberg
McDermott Will & Emery
Joshua Starr
PDK International
Brian Taff
Streetsense
Jose Antonio Tijerino
Hispanic Heritage Foundation
KID ADVISORS
Leadership Council
Angela Franco
DC Health Benefit Exchange Authority
Lynn Kieffer
Emergent BioSolutions
Cori Lathan
AnthroTronix
Glenn Leon
Hewlett Packard Enterprises
Jennifer Mandel
Lockheed Martin
Alexandre Rene
Ropes & Gray
Permanent Home Committee
Robert Brewer
Lerch, Early & Brewer
Joyce Furhmann
Formerly with Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation
Patrick Gallagher
Gallagher & Associates
Amanda Rosenthal
Jones Lang LaSalle
Morgan Sullivan
Jones Lang LaSalle
Brian Taff
Streetsense
