Old Salem launches Exploratorium, an online field trip for students
Students can virtually visit Old Salem during COVID-19 travel restrictions
Old Salem Museums & Gardens is launching a new online platform called Old Salem Exploratorium, which has been created to serve school students who have had to cancel their field trips to the Old Salem Historic District due to coronavirus (COVID-19) measures. The first episodes of Old Salem Exploratorium, available online at oldsalem.org/visit/exploratorium, began on Friday, March 13, and additional episodes will be added periodically (check oldsalem.org/visit/exploratorium and @OldSalemInc on Facebook and Instagram for updates).
Old Salem Exploratorium is a series of five- to ten-minute experiences that will bring the students in direct visual (but not physical) contact with Old Salem’s master craftsmen and educators. Hosted by Ms. Karen (Old Salem’s Director of Learning in Place Karen Walter) and President Frank (CEO of Old Salem Frank Vagnone), the episodes will allow students to get up close and personal with Old Salem’s craft workshops, seed-saving lab, archeology lab, gardens, Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts, and behind-the-scenes collections.
“We are very excited about the Old Salem Exploratorium series. We think it is a great way to enable students to virtually visit Old Salem and take part in an educational and fun experience despite the travel restrictions implemented as a result of COVID-19,” said Ms. Karen. “Utilizing our new, innovative “Learning in Place” educational classroom model, school children will be able to learn not only about Old Salem’s history, but also other curriculum-based concepts. Also, in addition to the recorded series episodes, President Frank and I will facilitate Facebook Live walk-arounds within the historic district.”
In addition, Ms. Karen and President Frank will be posting daily “History Nerd Alerts” on social media, which will connect Old Salem’s collections and history to what is going on in the world today.
The Old Salem Exploratorium series episodes can be found at oldsalem.org/visit/exploratorium. Teacher’s resources and additional information are available from Karen Walter, Director of Learning in Place, Old Salem Museums & Gardens, kwalter@oldsalem.org.
