Director of Play and Learning Presents at Association of Children’s Museums Conference

Our very own Roxane Hill, Executive Director, and Lauren Hirsch, Director of Play and Learning and the voice of our end-of-day announcements, attended ACM’s conference in San Diego, California. This year’s conference centered on children’s learning, play, and family engagement under the theme The Fabric of Belonging  and Wonderscope was right at the heart of it.

Hirsch had the opportunity to close out the conference alongside Mindy Porter from the Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, Arkansas. They presented on Supporting Playful Parent-Child Interactions through Museum Programming. They focused on what it actually looks like for adults to be in play with children by narrating, noticing, and responding in ways that build connection without taking over. It was a really meaningful way to wrap up the conference and a beautiful reflection of the work we do every day at Wonderscope.

Hill attended the ED/CEO retreat, where leaders reviewed real-time information and executive-level analysis of economic, visitor, and operational trends impacting children’s museums and other cultural organizations during this particularly challenging time. The deep dive gave participants time to discuss these trends and how they may translate into new risks and/or opportunities for children’s museum business models.  

Outside of presenting, Hill and Hirsch attended some invaluable learning sessions, including a workshop on children’s grief. They also had the opportunity to connect with museum professionals from across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Those conversations were just as valuable as the sessions. It was a good reminder that the core of this work stays the same, no matter where you are. Kids are kids everywhere.

They came back with inspired minds, excited hearts, and lots of ideas to bring to Wonderscope.