DVISD, Thinkery host ribbon cutting ceremony for neighborhood museum

A project years in the making came to fruition on Thursday when DVISD and Thinkery celebrated a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Thinkery’s neighborhood museum at the DVISD Central Child Development Center (CDC). 

The partnership between the district and the education-focused nonprofit has entered a new level. Thinkery installed 30 engaging exhibits throughout the Central CDC playground, pavilion, and motor skills lab, allowing students to interact and learn throughout the day, even when they're not in class. DVISD's teachers and youngest students are now incorporating Thinkery’s play-based education approach to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) into their daily classes. 

During the school day, students will learn using the interactive exhibits. In the evenings, the space will open to the Del Valle community, allowing all Del Valle residents to bring their children and continue learning outside the classroom in a fun, interactive environment. Based on this new education model, Thinkery fuses teaching inside and outside the classroom. This new museum is similar and equitable to their current Thinkery museum in Austin’s Mueller neighborhood. 

DVISD Board of Trustees President Shaira Ramzanali has been involved in the district partnership and adds that she will join the rest of the community and enjoy the new space with her family.

“How wonderful is it that we’re able to provide not only a center for students and staff to come and take care of their children, but they get this innovative and play-based learning. They get this research-based learning experience in a state-of-the-art facility as well. This is servicing not only our children and staff but our community at large,” Shaira said.

The interactive exhibits will also be open to DVISD elementary students to visit the Central CDC on field trips right here in Del Valle, giving them a better opportunity to enjoy the unique museum without being restricted by distance, transportation, or cost.

Thinkery CEO Andy Bell has spearheaded the collaboration between Thinkery and DVISD over the years and spoke about the high level of commitment it took to bring this vision to life. 

“As I was reflecting on what I wanted to share today, I kept coming back to the old African proverb: If you want to go far, you need to go together. The collaboration and commitment from so many and the vision to create an innovative learning space that fuses the magic of Thinkery and informal learning into the incredible work happening here at Del Valle ISD takes commitment from so many,” Andy said.

He thanked Thinkery, CDC, and DVISD staff for working together to realize the shared vision. 

“To the DVISD Board of Trustees: This is a group of individuals that is open to thinking outside of the box and has brought such commitment, passion, and creativity to bringing forward this model, and I’m so appreciative,” he added.

Thinkery’s partnership with the district began a few years ago by implementing a professional development program for early childhood educators. It has since expanded and will continue growing with a location now on campus. The partnership will soon weave in the district’s Career Technical Education and Workforce Development program by offering internships to high school students in the CTE early childhood education pathway, allowing participating students to get real-life work experience before graduating from high school.

“I want us all to step back for a second and imagine a Central Texas where every child’s opportunity matches their limitless potential. Where every child’s focus and ability to have experiences that inspire them through hands-on, joyful, play-based STEAM learning builds them into creative and confident learners. Imagine a Central Texas where we’re developing a generation of lifelong learners who are set up to thrive today and into the future. This is Thinkery's vision and mission. This is why we exist, and we’re so proud of this new space as a way to help realize that vision,” Andy said. 

Thinkery Del Valle will open soon to the community on evenings and weekends, so tune in for coming announcements through our social media channels!  

Watch the full ribbon cutting ceremony at this link.

More about Thinkery Del Valle

Del Valle ISD celebrates opening of three new child development centers

Wells Fargo donates $100,000 to support innovative Thinkery museum at DVISD Central CDC

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