Release date: August 17, 2007

For additional information, please contact:

Lynne Jele, Marketing & Membership

Phone: (630) 637-8000 ext. 2600

ljele@dupagechildrensmuseum.org

“Comcast President’s Grant award to DuPage Children’s Museum”

Second Part of $105,000, 3-Year Grant funds Museum’s Kindergarten Math Initiative

Naperville, IL (August 17, 2007) – DuPage Children’s Museum (DCM) and the Comcast Foundation announced today that the Foundation will continue to invest in the Museum’s Kindergarten Math Initiative (KMI), which focuses on giving kindergartners in DuPage County public schools a head start in their math literacy skills, utilizing a hands-on, minds-on approach to teach children about the wonders of math. The second part of this $105,000 grant will help the Museum continue to expand its program to all DuPage County kindergarteners—about 22,500 in total by the end of its first three years.

“KMI included about 4300 kindergartners in DuPage county during it’s first year, and will expand to about 6000 in its second year,” according to DCM Director of Exhibits and Programs, Cynthia Mark-Hummel. “All DCM school programs are developed to align with Illinois academic standards and are updated annually. Additionally, the national kindergarten math focal points are incorporated into the DCM KMI programs.” These Curriculum Focal Points are the most important mathematical topics for each grade level and comprise related ideas, concepts, skills, and procedures that form the foundation for understanding and lasting learning. For more information about these focal points, see http://www.nctm.org/focalpoints.

KMI is a part of the Museum’s current Learning Lab school program where over 20,000 school children in 25 school districts participate annually in classes that explore interactive adventures in math, science and the arts. “KMI is a carefully researched, innovative, hands-on introduction to core math concepts that reach young children at crucial kindergarten age in their development. This helps them create a strong math literacy conceptual foundation from which they will be able to build more sophisticated math understandings in later years,” said DCM Executive Director Susan Broad. “This is a significant project for DCM and for our community. The $105,000 three-year President’s Grant from Comcast kicked off this project, which will eventually serve all kindergarten students in DuPage County public schools.”

The KMI program includes a special 1-hour Learning Lab workshop plus an hour in the Museum’s math-related exhibits, for each child, to improve the math literacy of every kindergartner regardless of physical, economic or cultural barriers.

In appreciation of this grant, Naperville Mayor George Pradel commented “Comcast has stepped up to play a significant role in the education of all children in this community and we are extremely grateful for their support. When government, private, philanthropic and corporate interests get together to address an important issue, there's nothing that can't be done! ” Naperville City Council Member Darlene Senger also offered her gratitude, "Thank you to Comcast for funding this initiative! Math skills are so very important today. We are very fortunate to have a place children can play and develop their minds for math. What a wonderful opportunity for all kids."

“At Comcast, we recognize the importance for parents and guardians to have access to programs and services that will help them advance their children’s future. We offer products that stimulate children’s developmental and educational growth, such as PBS Kids Sprout, and our Leaders and Achievers Scholarships reward high school graduates for their stellar work,” said Leigh Ann Hughes, Comcast West Area Vice President. “Our commitment to families makes today’s announcement very significant for us at Comcast and to partner with an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for all DuPage County children.”

DuPage Children’s Museum, one of Chicagoland’s top cultural attractions, was founded in 1987 and is dedicated to stimulating curiosity, creativity, thinking and problem-solving in young children through self-directed, open-ended experiences and the integration of the arts, science and math. The Museum’s KMI expects to draw all DuPage County kindergarteners through the museum program, and with the Comcast Foundation grant, the museum is well on its way to expanding it to the county’s 11,000 kindergarteners in its third year.

DUPAGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM:

DuPage Children’s Museum, a top Chicagoland cultural attraction, is a not-for-profit organization celebrating its 20^th Anniversary in 2007—an imagination celebration of the importance of play, as envisioned by our founders.

On any given day, about 1000 visitors come through the Big Red Door of DuPage Children’s Museum and engage in three floors of open-ended activities. It is a playful, fun environment where children and the important adults in their lives learn and play together in thoughtfully planned “neighborhoods” designed to promote skill development in math, science and the arts.

Thank you for all you do! The Museum depends on donations and sponsorships for over 40% of its budget. Your support helps make a difference in the lives of thousands of children!

Location: 301 N. Washington Street

Naperville, IL 60540

Phone: 630-637-8000

Hours* Monday: 9 am - 1 pm

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Thursday: 9 am - 8 pm

Sunday: 12 - 5 pm

*Call for special seasonal hours.

General Admission: $7.50 per person, ages one through 59.

$6.50 per person, ages 60 and over.

Admission is never charged to shop the Explorer Store.

Free Parking. Wheelchair Accessible. Quick walk from Naperville Metra Station.

Annual Memberships: Several types of memberships and gift memberships are available. Please visit www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org or call 630-637-8000 for more information.

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