'Grand History Lesson' pilot project celebrates one year at GRPM; IMMER5E Program launches this fall

On May 28, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) hosted families, teachers, and administration from schools that participated in an innovative pilot program called the Grand History Lesson (GHL) over the past year: Sibley Elementary School, Grant Elementary School, and Grand Rapids Child Discovery Center. The evening included student presentations from year one, teacher perspectives, and more.

The program was based off the 'Big History Lesson' from the State Museum in Lansing. During the pilot year, teachers designed their own weeklong program that paired the core curriculum with multi-sensory, hands-on, and object-based learning. The Museum's collections, permanent and temporary exhibits, guided tours and programs, planetarium, and learning spaces were all made available for teachers to utilize. Funded by the Michigan Humanities Council and DTE Energy Foundation, the program encourages active learning, group participation, creative writing through observation, and discussion.

Launching this fall, Immer5e is the first phase of an ongoing educational partnership between GRPM, Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS), and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD). IMMER5E, year one of the three-year planning to an eventual 'Museum School,' will be open to ten fifth-grade classes from GRPS for the 2013/2014 school year. The program will be loosely based on the Grand History Lesson, combined with human-centered design principles and place-based education to offer compelling 21st-century learning opportunities to the youth of our region.

Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, GRPM is located in downtown Grand Rapids at 272 Pearl Street NW.  

GRPS is Michigan's fifth-largest public school district and the third-largest employer in the City of Grand Rapids, serving more than 17,000 students with 2,800 employees, including 1,500 dedicated teachers.


Get involved:

- Visit GRPS's website.
- Check out KCAD's website.
- Visit GRPM's website.
- Donate to GRPM.
- Volunteer at GRPM.
- Host an event at GRPM.

Sources: Kate Moore, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Grand Rapids Public Museum; John Helmholdt, Director of Communications and External Affairs Grand Rapids Public Schools
Writer: Victoria Mullen, Do Good Editor

Images: Courtesy of GRPM