Case Study: 

Inclusive Innovation: Transforming Community
Engagement at KID Museum




 

Background

KID Museum is the largest maker space for children in the country. It’s an innovative learning space dedicated to empowering the next generation through STEM and cultural education. By offering interactive exhibits, workshops, and community events, it strives to inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking among children and families from diverse backgrounds. The museum's mission centers on making STEM accessible and engaging for all, especially underserved communities, fostering a future where every child can aspire to be an inventor, creator, or leader. Through hands-on experiences and strategic partnerships, KID Museum aims to equip young minds with the skills and confidence to navigate and shape the world ahead.

Introduction

As KID Museum transitioned to a new building within its existing community, it was not merely a change of scenery but a strategic step towards broadening its reach and deepening its educational impact. This move presented a unique opportunity to enhance the museum's connection with its current community while also addressing the challenge of better serving underrepresented groups in the area. The goal was to maintain strong ties with the existing community while innovatively expanding its outreach to include and empower those from underrepresented backgrounds. This dual focus called for a thoughtful blend of continuity and new initiatives, ensuring the museum's programs became even more accessible and resonant with all young minds curious about STEM.

The Challenge

The museum stood at a crossroads, seeking to redefine how it could make its innovative STEM programs accessible and engaging to groups traditionally marginalized in these fields. The challenge was twofold: to identify and understand the diverse segments within the new community and to forge genuine, sustainable connections that would bridge gaps in STEM education emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Central to this endeavor was the ambitious goal to ensure that at least 50% of its programming specifically catered to the priority audiences it had identified. Additionally, it faced the task of building robust relationships and forming strategic partnerships with local organizations, schools, and neighborhoods previously unfamiliar with the museum. This comprehensive challenge underscored the museum's dedication to becoming a more integral, responsive part of its community, bridging educational gaps and fostering a sense of belonging and shared discovery in STEM fields.

The Solution

In response, Blue Goose Solutions crafted an engagement strategy, concentrating on four pivotal areas: Community Engagement, Strategic Partnerships, Community Outreach, and Digital Engagement. This holistic approach was designed to weave the museum's STEM mission into the fabric of the community, fostering long-term relationships and building a foundation of trust and mutual respect.   
Initially, defining target audiences and establishing foundational partnerships, setting the stage for a deeper, more inclusive interaction with the community. Subsequent phases build on this groundwork, emphasizing the importance of listening sessions to understand community needs, leveraging digital platforms to widen reach, and actively engaging with both new and established audiences. This strategic roadmap not only aims to broaden the museum's impact but also to ensure its STEM programs become more accessible and resonate with diverse groups, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and community partnership.

Expanded Strategies and Actions

Community Engagement

• Undertook deep dives into regional communities to grasp their needs, concerns, and aspirations, directly involving the KID Museum team for authentic engagement.

• Pioneered initiatives to enhance parental involvement in family programming, recognizing the pivotal role of families in educational enrichment.

• Actively supported existing community initiatives, demonstrating the museum's commitment to being a valuable community member beyond its educational mission

Strategic Partnerships

• Forged foundational partnerships with key educational and community organizations, including DCPS, DC Charter Schools, and local businesses, to extend the museum's reach and impact.

• Developed a partnership pipeline that connected with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, from local schools to corporate sponsors, amplifying the museum's ability to serve diverse community needs.

Community Outreach

• Standardized outreach practices to align with strategic goals, ensuring consistent, impactful interactions with the community.

• Led targeted outreach efforts, such as tabling at local events and participating in community meetings, to increase the museum's visibility and brand awareness.

Digital Engagement

• Advised on digital marketing strategies to enhance online community engagement, including content creation, and targeted advertising.

• Collaborated with marketing teams to refine messaging and outreach, ensuring digital efforts were cohesive and aligned with overall engagement goals.

Quantifiable Results

The strategic engagement plan yielded remarkable results:

 

•  A 532% increase in summer camp scholarships to underrepresented audiences in the first year

• Led a successful partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), which led to 7,500 students and their families from Title I schools attending KID Museum at no charge within just 6 months. This achievement doubled the number of visitors the museum typically welcomed on a regular day, marking a significant milestone in accessibility and community engagement.

•  47 new local community partners were established significantly expanding the museum's network and enhancing its ability to serve a wider and more diverse audience through collaborative programming and outreach initiatives.

•  A notable increase in museum visits totaling 50% of programming from underserved communities within the first year, breaking down barriers to STEM education.

• Partnered with 12 Influencers leading to over 135k views on social media 

• Supported 300 refugees on a no-cost day by offering comprehensive services including free museum access, transportation, translation support, no-cost internet information, and on-site free groceries and food

 

Testimonials and Feedback

"Our kids used to think science and tech were just for other people, not for them. Now? They can't stop talking about what they've learned and what they want to create next. The museum has really made everyone feel welcome and excited about learning." - Alpha Phi Alpha (Summer camp partner) 

 

Challenges and Learnings

The journey was not without its challenges. Initial hesitance from some community segments highlighted the importance of patient, consistent outreach and the need to tailor programs to meet specific community needs. KID Museum learned the value of internal alignment and continuous staff development in sustaining its community engagement efforts.

Conclusion

KID Museum has significantly enhanced its engagement with the community, particularly focusing on inclusivity and access for underrepresented groups. By forging partnerships with local schools and extending support to refugees, the museum has demonstrated a commitment to more than just education—it's about building a welcoming community space. Efforts to listen to and meet the community's needs have transformed the museum's approach from merely transactional to deeply transformational. This journey underscores the museum's role as an essential pillar for STEM education, showcasing a future where every child, regardless of background, has the opportunity to engage, learn, and be inspired. The museum's success story highlights the power of listening, adapting, and collaborating to create a learning environment where all members of the community can see themselves as part of the STEM narrative, thereby fostering a collective sense of belonging and achievement.This story proves that when you really listen and open up your doors wider, amazing things can happen. Now, the museum isn't just a place to learn about science and tech; it's a spot where every kid can dream big and feel like they belong, showing us all how learning and growing together makes us stronger.