West Orange's JCC MetroWest Unveils New Science Exploration Center

JCC MetroWest announces the addition of a new Science Exploration Center for children enrolled in the Early Childhood Program. The JCC MetroWest Science Exploration Center features both indoor and outdoor classroom space, hands-on learning stations, a garden and much more.

JCC MetroWest Science Coordinator Donna Cohen, an educator with 28 years’ experience, creates bi-monthly lesson plans featuring a combination of classroom and applied learning. Students will have the opportunity to tend to a real garden helping them learn about why we plant and in turn teaching them to become healthier eaters. In the spring children will experience the life cycle of butterflies and chicks by nurturing them in the classroom. Outside discovery play and exploration of nature will teach children about nurturing and caring, patience and discovery, beauty and life.

“Having this kind of hands on experience is important for the development of a child,” said Education Director Grace Kaplan. “With the newly created Science Exploration Center we can help children learn about nature and life through experience.”

Current and prospective Early Childhood Program families can visit the new Science Exploration Center during the Early Childhood Open House session on January 15th. Morning and evening hours are available both days: 10:00 a.m. till 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m.

The Open House is an opportunity to find out all the unique features of JCC MetroWest’s Early Childhood Program including a full gymnasium, swim lessons, Spanish, Music, Hebrew and now a Science Exploration Center. Tours of the Science Exploration Center and school are also offered by appointment.

The JCC MetroWest Early Childhood program is open to children 14 months to 5 years old and believes that learning is everywhere weaving it into a child’s day in a nurturing, friendly, and safe environment that will prepare the child for the academic challenges ahead. The program builds self-awareness and self-esteem through a special ethics and values curriculum in an enriched environment full of language, reading, math, science, art, music, and fun.

Information and photo courtesy of JCC MetroWest.