This summer, the Museum at Prairiefire will help launch a course endorsed by NASA during which kids will design and create a space glove that withstands space mission hazards like extreme cold, impact and radiation.

The Museum of Science, Boston, has named the Museum at Prairiefire one of just 13 sites out of more than 230 applications from across the country and the only location in Kansas or Missouri to pilot the newest unit of its award-winning Engineering is Elementary® (EIE) pre-K-12 curriculum. The program–“In Good Hands: Engineering Space Gloves”–was developed by the Museum of Science, Boston in collaboration with NASA, Northern Arizona University and the U.S. Geological Survey as part of EIE’s Engineering Adventures section, which enhances out-of-school kids’ critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork skills.

“We’re thrilled to partner with the world-class Museum of Science, Boston, to offer this summer-learning experience that will teach kids about engineering while they’re having fun,” said Dr. Kathryn McKinney, Museum at Prairiefire director of education. “The earlier we can expose children to STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics), the better.”

The Museum at Prairiefire was selected by the Museum of Science, Boston, after a competitive application process to pilot the hands-on “In Good Hands” unit. The Boston museum will provide the nine-class curriculum and materials for the engineering activity, in which 3rd- through 5th-graders will learn about space travel and use familiar household items to construct a space glove.

Museum at Prairiefire educators will teach the Engineering Adventures “In Good Hands” unit for 3rd- through 5th-graders twice this summer, beginning July 23. The first session will comprise 12 children from KC Urban Advantage, a collaboration between the Museum and other Kansas City cultural organizations designed to improve science literacy for under-served students in the metro area.

The second session will be open to the public. Interested parents may sign up their children at www.museumatpf.org starting July 30, and the first 12 registrants will be enrolled. All students will participate in the pilot program at no charge thanks to Museum of Science, Boston, and NASA funding. For more information, call the Museum at Prairiefire’s education team at 913.333.3551 or email education@visitthemap.org.

After completing the “In Good Hands” sessions, Museum at Prairiefire educators and participants will provide feedback to the Museum of Science, Boston, Engineering is Elementary team that it may incorporate before making the program available on a broader scale.