EverWonder Children’s Museum has received a $20,000 grant from The Jeniam Foundation, a family-based foundation committed to helping local communities.

The generous grant will be used for general operating expenses and will include improvements to the space and the continuation of EverWonder’s maker-space program.

Tripp Killin, the foundation’s executive director and a Newtown resident, said the foundation wanted to cultivate a lifelong love of learning in all children.

“Not just for our own kids, but for all the kids in the Newtown area,” Mr Killin said. “That’s why we need a place like EverWonder. EverWonder provides incredible learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math to everyone. That’s why we give. We hope you’ll join us.”

New Exhibits & Programs

EverWonder has new exhibits and programs planned to start in the next few months. Most recently, Praxair has designed and paid for a $30,000 exhibit called “Air Play,” which will flank the main part of the museum. The exhibit will demonstrate how air is all around us and separated into molecules, each with a different purpose.

Children will be able to sort these different molecules and send them over their heads to a truck on the opposite wall, where the molecules can be delivered to the appropriate places.

EverWonder is seeking sponsorships for a second new exhibit called “Escape the STEAM Room.” Similar to the popular escape rooms for adults, EverWonder will ask children to learn about different STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) problems prior to testing their knowledge in the STEAM room before time runs out.

The museum is also adding multiple augmented reality (AR) codes to their current exhibit experiences.

Merredith Christos, the museum’s operations and outreach manager, said there are more things to look forward to.

“There are a ton of projects going on all around us, all focused on improving the experience children of all ages have when they visit the museum,” said Ms Christos. “It is my goal to not only attract new visitors to the museum, but to inspire everyone to come back wanting more.”

EverWonder Children’s Museum, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded in January 2011 by a group of mothers who enjoyed taking their children to other children’s museums and who wanted to create a similar experience closer to home for everyone in the surrounding communities to enjoy.

For the first years of its life, EverWonder Children’s Museum existed as a mobile entity without a physical location. The board of directors and volunteers brought science and art programming to the community through the local library and various community events in an effort to fulfill their mission and create awareness of the organization.

In April 2013, EverWonder Children’s Museum opened a physical location called The EverWonder Experience. The small museum space was packed with exciting, hands-on exhibits and activities. The EverWonder Experience has served more than 6,000 visitors.

In April 2015, EverWonder Children’s Museum reopened in its current location at 31 Pecks Lane. The new, larger space enables staff and volunteers to provide additional exhibits and activities as well as dedicated space for birthday parties and field trips.

Fundraiser Approaching

The Jeniam grant arrived ahead of EverWonder’s annual fundraiser, “The Science of Wine,” which will also take place at Nouveau Monde Wine Bar + Bistro in Sandy Hook.

The event will be held on Friday, November 16, from 7 to 10 pm, in the newly renovated barn behind Nouveau, located at 6 Washington Avenue in Sandy Hook.

Beginning at 7 pm, guests will enjoy wines paired with innovative American cuisine while being entertained with live music from The Mike Cusato Band. Dr Richard Coopersmith will be the evening’s auctioneer, accepting bids on live auction items

Auction items will include a week-long stay at Serenity Resort in Thailand, including both a snorkeling trip and elephant trek; a week stay at a waterfront, three-bedroom Jersey Shore beach home on Long Beach Island; and the opportunity to “Be A Veterinarian for a Day” for three (children and/or adults).

Tickets to the event range from $100 to $150, and proceeds from “Science of Wine” will directly support the museum’s new programs and exhibits and will support children to achieve their potential and continue to wonder about the world around them.

Ms Christos says the museum and its fundraiser organizers have already received an outpouring of support from the community, including the Jeniam grant and other sponsors.

“Between all our sponsors, volunteers, and a committed board of directors, we are excited to host our annual fundraiser and begin to put everyone’s donations to good work,” she said.

To reserve tickets or for more information, visit everwondermuseum.org/scienceofwine or contact Ms Christos at 203-364-4009 or mchristos@everwondermuseum.org.