NATIONAL CHILDREN'S Museum

 
 

About Launch Zone

NCM Launch Zone at National Harbor

In the spring of 2009, the National Children’s Museum opened the Launch Zone at National Harbor, a 2,700 square-foot space on Waterfront Street. Open to the public seven days a week, the Launch Zone is a place where children can prototype exhibit components and programs, share their ideas about what should be included in the new Museum, and participate in fun and educational programs related to the Museum’s core content areas.

Through the use of images, table-top interactive exhibits, and computer kiosks, NCM introduces select areas of the Museum, while soliciting feedback and input from constituents. Visitors learn about the Museum’s mission and areas of engagement, in addition to other family friendly programs and partner organizations. The Launch Zone also hosts ongoing Museum Without Walls programming, professional development workshops and trainings, and community learning events for parents and caregivers.

The National Children’s Museum is currently focusing on three exciting core concepts at the Launch Zone: the environment, “Call 2 Action,” and NCM’s green building. Kids can learn about the environment through NCM’s "Wild Aware" program that encourages them to get outside and explore nature, and how to become a “kid hero” by making a difference in their home, community, and the world!

The Museum is also offering a variety of engaging activities through its Museum Without Walls program – voting and law-making, recycled crafts, and original plays and performances are just a taste of what the Launch Zone offers. Check out what NCM is up to this month. 

About the Launch Zone Webpage

Complementing the Launch Zone at National Harbor is a new virtual Launch Zone on the NCM website. Here, kids from across the country and around the world have an opportunity to learn about and test exhibit and program content and help shape the Museum through poll questions, surveys, and interactive experiences, like the “build the Museum activity” with world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli.

NCM belongs to the nation’s children and this online experience provides another powerful opportunity for kids to share their voices and influence the Museum’s exhibit and program content. Eventually, the online Launch Zone will also link parents, caregivers, and educators with Museum-related content that supports family and school learning as well as information on issues affecting children locally, nationally, and globally.


 
 
© 2009 National Children’s Museum|