K-12 STEAM
educational programs

K-12 Educational Offerings

Inspire and Engage Through Art and Education

Our K-12 programs provide immersive, hands-on learning experiences that seamlessly integrate art, culture, and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) education. At the Museum of Friends, art serves as a powerful tool for discovery and engagement, with programs tailored to meet the specific goals of each class.

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Overview

• Target Audience: Pre-K through 12th Grade

• Program Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours (includes exhibit tour and hands-on activities)

• Fee: $5 per student (reduced fees available based on need)

 

Programs

• School Tour Program (August to May 2025, Wednesday and Thursday)

  • Guided exhibit tours that align with current exhibits and curriculum goals.

  • Hands-on art or writing activities inspired by exhibit themes.

  • Call 719-738-2858 to Schedule your school tour. 

• STEAM Summer Program (June to mid-August 2025):

  • STEAM on Fridays: Integrating art with science, technology, engineering, and math concepts.

  • More details to come in Spring 2025!

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What We Emphasize

Our K-12 STEAM Program focuses on:

• Healthy Recreational Choices: Encouraging creativity and personal growth through art.

• Colorado Active Learning Principles: Aligning activities with state standards to enhance educational impact.

• Civic Pride: Inspiring students to connect with their community and cultural heritage.

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Program Goals

All K-12 educational offerings are designed to:

• Enhance Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving:
  Encourage students to analyze and interpret art in meaningful ways.

• Foster Creative Expression and Innovation:
  Provide opportunities to explore diverse artistic techniques and materials.

• Cultivate Civic Pride and Cultural Awareness:
  Connect projects to local stories, cultural heritage, and environmental themes.

• Promote Lifelong Learning and Appreciation for the Arts:
  Inspire an enduring connection to art as a tool for reflection, activism, and personal growth.

 

What to Expect to See on Your School Tour

Students explore guided tours of our Galleries:

• Current Featured Exhibits (traveling, changing).

• Permanent Collection, which includes over 1,400+ works of art across these key galleries:

  • The Foundation: Celebrating the region’s artistic roots and proximity to Drop City, the first rural artist commune.

  • The Reach: Highlighting diverse perspectives and creative evolution.

  • Independent Voices: Featuring exhibitions like The Historic Churches & Chapels of Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico by Ted Shafer and The Early Hispano Families of Huerfano County by Sylvia Brandl and Ron Sandoval.

 

How it Works

1. Book Your Tour: Visit our Book Tours page to complete the tour booking form and schedule your visit.

2. Align Learning Objectives: Select 2-3 Museum of Friends (MoF) Program Goals and 2-3 Colorado Academic Standards to seamlessly integrate the tour with your curriculum.

3. Pre-Visit Planning: Our educators will connect with you ahead of the visit to review learning activities and align the tour with your classroom objectives.

4. School Tour & Learning Workshop: Experience an engaging, hands-on tour and workshop that brings learning to life through STEAM-focused activities.

5. Post-Visit Classroom Engagement: Our team will visit your classroom to build on the museum experience with creative exercises, reflective discussions, and hands-on projects that reinforce key concepts and inspire further exploration.

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If your preferred time slot doesn’t work with your schedule, please contact MoF staff to discuss alternative options.

This customization ensures that your students' experience is meaningful, relevant, and directly supports their educational journey.

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