Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM)

Suzanne LeBlanc
President

Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) provides experiential learning opportunities both in and out of the museum for students across the island. They offer numerous educational experiences in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), while supporting English Language Arts skills, such as reading, writing, listening and speaking. LICM regularly presents new exhibits for students to explore and experience, and works on building and sustaining long term relationships with students and families throughout the community.

LICM is committed to professional development with educators. Museum staff works regularly with teachers and administrators to create a learning environment that is beneficial to all students in all disciplines. They provide insight and advice while evaluating various activities to maximize their educational potential.

LICM personnel are lifelong learners who transform their professional experiences into learning opportunities for Long Island students. For example, STEM Initiatives Program Director Claire Flynn was selected as a Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow, allowing her to travel to Antarctica to participate in hands-on field experiences. She is using these experiences to develop classroom curriculum and public programming to encourage students and visitors to embrace the explorer mentality.

LICM has long-standing relationships with Long Island school districts that make customized learning a real and workable experience. Through the STEM Partnership with the Westbury UFSD, LICM project team members work with district educators to coordinate program content with Westbury’s Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Using specialized events and materials, LICM encourages the role of parents and families as first teachers and co-learners. The museum also supports Westbury’s instructional strategies, helping to align them with the NGSS, STEM and common core curriculum.

“The Long Island Children’s Museum is devoted to the ongoing education of everyone that visits the museum on a daily basis,” wrote the award nominator. “LICM takes an inquiry- based approach to learning that not only engages educational professionals, but benefits students, families and community members alike.”