The marbles kids museum will design and install an immersive exhibit focused on engaging in career exploration through hands-on play

The Marbles Kids Museum was awarded a $491,814 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Museums for America program to design and install a 3,000-square-foot immersive exhibit focused on engaging children in career exploration through hands-on play. The exhibit will feature activities and displays reflecting expanding industries in North Carolina that rely on a diverse workforce, such as biotechnology, construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Project activities will include assembling a career exploration community of practice with other science and children's museums, prototyping exhibit components, developing the design, and fabricating and installing the exhibit. As a result, the museum will contribute to local and regional workforce development efforts by providing imaginative play experiences that connect children to various professional pathways, and share their findings and best practices for career exploration in a children's museum setting.

The 3,000-square-foot space will offer activities and displays that reflect industries that are expanding in north carolina and rely on a diverse and capable future workforce, such as biotechnology, construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Project activities will include assembling a career exploration community of practice with staff from other science and children's museums, prototyping activities and exhibit components, developing the design, as well as fabricating and installing the components. As a result, the museum will contribute to local and regional workforce development efforts through hands-on, imaginative play experiences, and share their findings and best practices for career exploration play in a children's museum setting.