Jordan Times
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Jordan's first interactive Children's Museum to open next year
AMMAN (JT) — In less than 15 months, children in
the Kingdom will be able to explore and learn more about the world around them
through a Children's Museum which seeks to create interactive learning
experiences, encouraging and nurturing lifelong learning for children and their
families.
Speaking at the first board of trustees' meeting of the Children's Museum
Society on Monday, Her Majesty Queen Rania said the museum would seek to expand
its outreach to engage children from remote communities by developing various
outreach programs and facilities designed to bridge the knowledge and exposure
gap. The museum will also work with and encourage the Ministry of Education to
ensure that regular organized access to the museum is provided to all children.
The project, initiated by Queen Rania, stems from her commitment to children's
education, well-being, and development. Complementing the national curriculum by
providing a supplementary learning experience that builds on classroom learning,
the museum will enhance children's appreciation of their national identity by
exposing them to the diverse elements of the Jordanian environment: Flora and
fauna, geology, archaeology, history and culture.
Seeking to become a flagship children's museum of world distinction and a
regional leader among museums and cultural institutions serving children and
families in the Arab world, the museum will be the first interactive and
educational institution of its kind in Jordan, and will be situated in King
Hussein Park.
Conceived and designed by UK and Jordanian design houses specifically for
children 14 years and younger, the museum is built on a 20,000-square-metre plot
of land donated by the Municipality of Greater Amman. It will feature more than
150 hands-on exhibits and encourage multisensory exploration and understanding
of the arts, sciences, technology, industry, and the value of the national
identity, along with accompanying innovative and educational multimedia
resources and programs. The museum also includes a number of facilities: A
children's library and IT centre, a planetarium, a café?, an auditorium, an
activities centre, an outdoor theatre and a museum shop.
During the meeting chaired by Queen Rania, the board discussed the museum's
mission and objectives and the need for adopting and implementing innovative
approaches and activities in developing children's knowledge and encouraging
their creativity and self-exploration.
The board also emphasized the importance of having an open but structured
framework, which will complement school curricula and classroom learning,
engaging children in all stages of development, including those with special
needs.
Operated as an independent not-for-profit establishment, the first phase of the
project was made possible through the commitment of several corporate founding
partners.
During yesterday's meeting, Greater Amman Mayor Nidal Hadid was elected vice
president of the board of trustees. Members of the board include Minister of
Finance Bassem Awadallah, Fastlink CEO Mohammad Saqer, Nestle Middle East CEO
Alexandre Cantacuzene, Dubai-based Emaar Properties CEO Mohammad Abbar, Hmoud
Oliemat, Ghassan Nuqul, Akram Abu Hamdan, Khalid Nahhas, Samar Doudin, Abla
Zureikat and Saed Karajeh.
Following the meeting, Queen Rania accompanied board members on a visit to the
museum's construction site, situated adjacent to the Royal Automobile Museum,
where Her Majesty laid the cornerstone of the museum, expected to be completed
by the end of summer 2006.
The Children's Museum will encourage curiosity, creativity, discovery and
self-expression. Its innovative, interactive exhibits will invite hands-on
participation, enticing children to explore and experience their environment and
the world beyond. Unlike traditional museums, where objects are viewed from
behind glass cases or velvet ropes, the children's museum will be a place where
learning is brought to life.
Children will be encouraged to learn by using a multisensory approach that also
encourages parent/child interaction. The museum seeks to be accessible to the
community at large and expose children from all backgrounds, and of different
abilities, to a stimulating and fun educational environment.
The exhibits will be organized under three main themes: Humankind, the natural
world and technology, with multiple sub-themes such as mechanics, robotics,
communications, creativity, the human body, animals and plants, astronomy, earth
and geology.
The exhibits fall into a broad spectrum of types: From those that require noisy
full-body participation, to those that encourage reflection and contemplation.
Some exhibits will require teamwork, strategy and planning. Ultimately, children
will be encouraged to follow their own learning agendas and indulge their
inquisitive and adventurous natures.