The mission of the Children’s Museum of Naples is, “To provide an exciting,
inspiring environment where children and their families can play, learn and dream together.”
Innovation is truly at the core of our institution. So much so, that the Collier County School
Board has already committed to hosting their annual Super Science Saturday event at the Museum upon opening. This event follows the annual science fair and celebrates the accomplishments of Collier County’s budding scientists.
C’mon has been recognized by the local Economic Development Council “Project Innovation” initiative as an “Action Project for Producing Success” (www.projectinnovation.cc). “Project Innovation” brings together the most technologically innovative companies with non-profit organizations, universities and governmental agencies with two goals: to create a prosperous and sustainable community in Collier County and to stimulate innovation among businesses, schools, government and the community. Through our participation in “Project Innovation,” C’mon will work with leaders in innovation such as Arthrex, INgage Networks, Parker Hannifin, and NCH Healthcare System in developing and implementing innovative projects and activities for children in the Curious Kids program and other programs at the Museum.
C’mon plans to expand the Curious Kids program into an afterschool program for the 2011-2012 school year (the first full school year the Museum will be open). This afterschool program, focusing on STEM education, will bring in a variety of innovators from these partnering organizations to talk about how they got started in their field and give the participants a quarterly program challenge. Quarterly program challenges, whether building a rocket based on a PBS Design Squad curricula, or designing a website with the help of INgage Network web designers, will be critical in creating our innovation generation.