Mountain Arts & Science for Youth Programs

by Lara Applebaum

Over 30 visiting and local youth participated in our five-week series of interactive workshops fostering creativity, understanding, and connections to our local culture and environment.
Our series began by relating local life past and present through the annual Kids Making History workshop. Other workshop topics included birch watercolors and plant prints, tile painting, archaeological rock art, wildlife habitats and adaptations, plant tinctures, the scientific method, as well as a group mural design and painting project for the community mailshack.
We also hosted middle and high school aged youth from the greater Copper River Valley for the 2nd annual Geology Camp. This year’s activities included collecting native seeds, a tour of the Kennecott Mill Building, camping at the Root Glacier, and a glacier hike. We look forward to expanding our glacier exploration with elementary students next season!
In addition to hosting science and art workshops twice a week for school-aged youth, we introduced the weekly Mountain Arts & Science for Preschoolers program. Topics and activities for children ages 2-5 and their caregivers included: Alaskan animals, birds and binoculars, nature print prayer flags, sunprints and plant rubbings, as well as nature yoga poses and painting.
Many thanks to our partner organizations and donors, including the Wrangell Institute for Science and Environment, National Park Service, McCarthy-Kennicott Historical Museum, Kennicott Wilderness Guides, St. Elias Alpine Guides, and Blackburn Heritage Foundation for their continued generosity. Additional gratitude to visiting and local artists and educators for their willingness to share their time and talents with us! We look forward to another summer of fun and exploration!

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This is an article from the 2017/18 Hardware Store Herald. Download the full Herald by clicking HERE.