CELEBRATE EVERY DAY!Each day at the Mississippi Children’s Museum (MCM) during 2017, we will be celebrating national days of recognition…. Do you know when the National Day of Robotics is, or how about Apple Day? Do you know there is a National Day of Chess? We will learn new things, explore new concepts, and celebrate the joys of everyday life both large and small.

Speaking of questions, how do you think innovation and technology will change our world in 2017? That is something we, at MCM, keep asking ourselves. As we try to anticipate the myriad of ways the world is changing, we have planned new programs and activities which will promote and

encourage Mississippi children to develop stronger science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills. One of the most important roles that the museum can play as we delve into our mission is to foster children’s natural curiosity--encouraging them to seek out those seemingly, never-ending questions. In the pages of this issue of the PlayBook, you will see how we are fulfilling this purpose to develop more focus and access to experiences that encourage important 21st century skills.

Please join us at the museum to build, count, create, and make discoveries every day for both our youngest visitors and for the adults who love them.

Nonprofit OrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDJackson, MS 39201

Permit No. 219 PO BOX 55409 JACKSON, MS 39296

FIRST NAME LAST NAMEADDRESS LINE 1ADDRESS LINE 2CITY, STATE ZIP CODE

THE MCM

PLAYBOOK

Susan Garrard, Mississippi Children’s Museum President/CEO

STEMPROGRAMS

COMMUNITYPARTNERSHIPS

BY THEBUMBERS

SPRING 2017 • VOLUME 2 • ISSUE 1

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ANNUAL & QUARTERLY DONORS 12-14

STEM COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS 3-5

ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT & DEDICATION 10

MCM-MERIDIAN REPORT 11

EVENT CALENDAR 8-9

FUTURE LOOK 14

BY THE NUMBER 15

MCM-TO-GO 16

CONTENTS

PUBLISHED BYMississippi Children’s Museum

Design Director Kellye McMillanEditor & Writer Meemie JacksonPhotographer & Writer Lindsay McMurtrayWriter Chellese HallDesign Assistant Marion Steckler

2016-17 BOARD OF DIRECTORSHon. James E. Graves, Jr., ChairmanMargaret CupplesDonna BruceKaren BushDr. Frederick BarrBill CookeOleta Garrett FitzgeraldJohn FletcherBeth Hansen

Olivia HostMartin JueAshley MeenaMelanie MorganHeidi NoelSunny SethiJanet Spain

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSSusan Garrard, President/CEO

FACES OF MCM 6-7

The future of Mississippi depends on its ability to boost

student performance in STEM subjects. A recent study

from the Alliance for Science and Technology Research

in America predicts an 8% increase in STEM-related

jobs in Mississippi between 2016 and 2025. Educational

initiatives centering on STEM are vital to sustain this

economic growth, to keep Mississippi competitive in a

global economy, and to create strong communities with

diverse, accessible jobs.

Because of this, MCM sees a need to provide today,s

students with a much earlier and stronger foundation

in math and science than they receive in school alone.

MCM is committed to giving children access to quality

STEM-based experiences through innovative exhibits,

engaging programs, and interactive special events.

MCM seeks to foster early interest in STEM subjects

while also helping children develop critical thinking

and communication skills, creativity, and real-world

problem solving.

In addition, MCM has worked to develop strong community

partnerships with industry leaders throughout Mississippi

to be able to connect children in tangible ways not

just to the kinds of learning that they will need to be

successful in school, but also to help them explore the

multitude of STEM-related career possibilities that

exist. This is important if we truly want children to be

able to discover and achieve their potential and become

the f lexible thinkers, adventurous explorers, and

innovative doers we need in our 21st century world.

STEM

COMMUNITY

PARTNERSHIPS

Read more about these experieinces on the next page!

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STEM COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

HEALTH & WELL BEING

SCIENCTIFIC RESEARCHUNEXPECTED METHODS

CAREER EXPOSUREWhat encourages questions, engages the scientific method, promotes positive changes for better health, incorporates STEM, involves 22 medical specialties, and creates a strong partnership between two institutions dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of Mississippi’s children? It’s Question It? Discover It! (QI?DI!), of course!

Since 2012, MCM and Children’s of Mississippi, a part of the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC), have been partnering for this once-a-month, Saturday program as a way to bring these concepts together by encouraging children to ask questions and have fun discovering the answers. Topics range from dentistry, the brain, bones, heart health, and allergies.

“It’s all about health!” says Dr. Frederick “Rick” Barr, Senior Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education, Suzan B. Thames Endowed Professor, and Chairman of Pediatrics, Children’s of Mississippi, UMMC.

“The ultimate goal for Children’s of Mississippi and UMMC is to improve the health of Mississippi’s citizens. QI?DI! allows us to focus on health literacy, which means we are helping children understand the way their bodies work,” Barr says. “One Saturday a month, our medical professionals are available to share health advice and to interact with children in a non-medical setting. We are always excited to hear how many children are interested in health-related careers.”

Nearly 32,000 guests have attended the QI?DI! program since 2012. Children’s of Mississippi recently committed to another two years of supporting this program. “This is such a great partnership, our two organizations focused on literacy, learning, and health,” says Barr. “The Mississippi Children’s Museum is such a great environment for children to learn while having fun too. And because both Children’s of Mississippi and the Mississippi Children’s Museum are reaching a statewide audience, it enables both organizations to work together toward the same goals.”

“Scientific research often seems like a mystery to kids,” says Dr. Michael Ryan, Professor of Physiology and Biophysics and Associate Dean in the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC). “They learn prescribed lessons in school, but don’t often get to connect with real discovery.”

Ryan seeks to demystify the process of scientific discovery through two events that bring the faculty and students from the UMMC School of Graduate Studies to MCM to engage children in hands-on, research-based, scientific learning: PhUn Day in the fall and Discovery U Day in the spring.

“PhUn stands for Physiology Understanding. It is a science outreach program that was started by the American Physiological Society in 2005 as a way to engage the lay public in biomedical sciences,” says Ryan. PhUn Day typically focuses on exploring the body systems—the heart, lungs, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract.

“Discovery U Day is similar in format but rather than exclusively focusing on different organ systems, we have activities that relate to all areas of biomedical research including anatomy, microbiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, neuroscience, biomedical materials, and physiology,” he says. Making DNA from strawberries, building a model of a molecule, and learning about lung volume are just three of the activities that have been offered.

One of the rewards of participating in this outreach is getting to see when those “teachable moments” happen. “It is always satisfying when kids can answer a question about science, and to see the look of excitement on their faces when they learn or experience somethingnew,” Ryan says.

Ryan hopes that giving children these opportunities to meet scientists and do hands-on experiments will be inspiring. “Although it is cliché, I would like them to come away thinking that science is fun and wanting to do experiments at home and at school, so that science and discovery become a part of their lives,” he says.

“We don’t let them near the kitchen at all,” Joe Bynum jokingly tells MCM staff. Bynum is a member of the museum who was formerly convinced that his sons were too rambunctious to combine food and fun, but after Tinker with Tuesday at MCM, he’s been forced to reconsider.

Bynum’s two sons, Josef and Jonas, stand behind the counter of the Red Rocket Café with a group of children being instructed by Chef Tom Ramsey, an award winning, Jackson-based culinary artist. For the entire month of October, Ramsey took participants of Tinker with Tuesday, MCM’s weekly STEM-based program, on an exploration of the “science of food.”

Designed to be hands-on, Ramsey’s approach led little chef-scientists in experimental taste testing, temperature tactics, pickling with pH levels, and making delicious snacks from unexpected ingredients.

“There’s a lot of science behind food,” says Ramsey who coordinated the activities and planned the program curriculum. “The first thing we learned was how to make pasta. I showed them how protein and carbohydrates combine to make something that’s really loose, like flour, into something that sticks together like noodles.”

In another session, Ramsey taught about types of heat: radiant, conductive, and convective. Understanding heat types and how to measure them is a skill that is just as useful for aerospace technicians, engineers, and chemists in a lab as a chef in the kitchen. Using the universal language of food as a foundation for STEM-based teaching makes these complex concepts more relatable and undeniably delicious.

Sponsored by Georgia Pacific, Tinker with Tuesday engages children in inquiry-based methods with the hope of sparking their natural curiosity about STEM topics. Calling on the expertise of professionals like Chef Ramsey is just one way that MCM strives to provide quality experiences while also fostering a fascination with learning that’s fun.

On October 1, 2016, MCM held the inaugural Mississippi Science Festival (MSF), an event created to showcase STEM subjects and their roles in Mississippi through fun, hands-on activities for children and families. Because many elementary-aged children may not participate in science and technology activities at home or in school, MSF is an exciting way for MCM to encourage STEM education in Mississippi.

Jana Perry, MCM Director of Education and Programs says that the festival allowed the museum to provide families with an up-close lookat the wide variety of careers in STEM. “We wanted to strengthen our STEM offerings in the museum and get together with businesses and educational organizations across the state to help students be exposed to STEM concepts and ideas so they would look at careers in those professions a little bit more closely and at younger ages than they have been in schools,” Perry explains.

Visitors enjoyed talking to these experts about their careers and many children discovered the surprising science behind things they already love. MCM Assistant Director of Programs Patti Reiss says activities at MSF connected things like robots, beekeeping, and balloons to scientific concepts. “Ultimately, it gave children the opportunity to see what scientists are. Not all children would have been able to name an architect or a beekeeper as a scientist.”

In total, the first MSF had 23 presenting vendors representing universities, community organizations, corporations, non-profit organizations, and individual STEM professionals who talked with visitors about their fields and the various STEM-related careers available. Events like the Mississippi Science Festival offer children the opportunity to make hands-on connections between these subjects which may seem abstract and their real-world applications.

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FACESOF MCM

MCM MEMBER FRIENDS | MASON & ROBERT

Mason Watkins and Robert Arndt have a lot in common. They are in the same class at the Redeemer School, they both love snack time, and they both have family memberships at MCM.

At 6-years-old and 5-and-a-half, this pair is inseparable as they go on adventures at the museum every Thursday afternoon. Mason’s grandmother, Mrs. Chris, and Robert’s mom, Haley Arndt, both agree that the museum is a great place to learn, explore, and even make new friends. “We saw them here after the first week of school, and we’ve been coming here together ever since,” Arndt says. She values MCM as a “safe place where they can learn what they like.”

Both grown-ups agree that the museum has opened up their children not only socially, but also in their educational experiences. Mason and Robert have harvested fresh basil in the Literacy Garden, produced theatrical puppet performances in Readers Theater, and tinkered with transforming robots in the visiting exhibit, Thomas & Friends™: Explore the Rails.

“MCM is a great teaching tool where he can learn while he’s being entertained,” Mrs. Chris says as she watches the boys play together. “It’s very educational for him to go on new excursions and try new things he otherwise wouldn’t do, with new people.”

MCM STAFF | EMILY SIMMONS

Emily Simmons’ skills are undeniably aesthetic! With a degree in Art History, a concentration in Museum Studies, and a minor in Studio Art from Millsaps College in Jackson, she was the perfect candidate for MCM’s Arts Educator. As the Arts Educator, Simmons oversees a collaborative art space, plans curriculum, orders supplies, and prepares a room full of materials for hundreds of children!

Simmons uses arts integration techniques on a broad spectrum of difficulty so that children with a wide range of ability can enjoy, learn, and create in the same dedicated art space. Nearly every craft is selfdirected with familiar materials to give meaningful context to children, whether it helps them understand the world around them or examine how things work.

Just as art is constantly changing and progressing, Simmons too is evolving. She currently is taking classes to complete her Master’s degree in Arts Education. Her goal in the next few years is to make all of the children’s art activities at MCM more impactful. Simmons believes that when children have positive art experiences, they are more open to learning and thinking outside the box.

MCM MEMBER | GINNY DEHART

Ginny DeHart is not only a member at MCM, but also a pediatric physical therapist who uses the museum to work with children who might need a little extra help with a variety of skills. “MCM has endless things to do and see, both inside and outside. Everything at MCM is fun and educational, and everything at MCM is therapeutic in many ways too,” she says. “ MCM is a place you can go to interact with your child and work on any and all skills.”

The first time she walked into MCM, DeHart says she knew it was something special. She bought a membership to use with her nieces and nephews, and quickly began recommending it for therapy as well.

DeHart has lots of tips for parents to use the museum for skills development, including taking advantage of every learning opportunity.

She says the museum is great because children can use all of the muscles in their arms, legs, and trunk by crawling, pulling, climbing, and scooting. By sitting on the library floor, children can develop not only reading and comprehension skills, but also an improved attention span and verbal skills. Even while walking up and down the light-up stairs, children can count or describe the colors for a physical and mental exercise.

Her biggest words of advice? “MCM is a place that you can go for your kid to be a kid. MCM is a place that you can go for YOU to be a kid again,” she explains. “When you visit MCM, your child will have worked on all kinds of skills, but the main thing they will remember is that you took them to the best place ever to have FUN!”

MCM VOLUNTEERS | MADELEINE WIGGS & EMILY KRUSE

For Madeleine Wiggs and Emily Kruse, there is only one place to be on Thursday nights in October—at MCM. The two members ofthe MCM Youth Ambassadors Council

(YAC) volunteer for the Planting the Seeds to Read family literacy program by helping serve dinner and working with children during the activities.

“This is my second Planting the Seeds to Read,” Wiggs says, while Kruse has volunteered for three evenings with another scheduled. “It’s my favorite thing to do,” Kruse explains. “I know that it’s good to just be here and be ready to lend a hand, but it’s good to have a job that you’re doing something really helpful.”

The Planting the Seeds to Read program offers seven weeks of activities for 20 families from the Jackson Public School District designed to help struggling readers and provide

caregivers with reading strategies to use at home. Kruse says she can see the difference in the children after just a few weeks in the program. “I think that some of these kids are growing.

I don’t know where they were at the start, but every week, they are getting a new skill, and they are in a place where learning is encouraged,” she explains. “I think what we did last week

was my favorite. We talked about verbs, and you had to match it with a picture. They were excited about finding which one was theirs!”

Both of the YACs agree that the museum is more than a place to have fun. It is a place that all families can visit and learn together. “It’s not just about playing in the museum, it’s about learning and interacting with each other,” Wiggs says. “I like that it’s like a safe place to be,” Kruse says. “Everyone can come. It doesn’t matter where people live or what school they are in; they can all come.”

MCM DONOR | WENDY PUTT OF FRESH CUT CATERING & FLORAL

Wendy Putt and her colleagues at Fresh Cut Catering and Floral have given their time and talents to MCM ever since the museum opened. They are the creative professionals behind several of the most imaginative and successful culinary and decorative thematic interpretations at MCM’s events.

Putt majored in floral design at Mississippi State University and founded Fresh Cut Catering and Floral in 1990. Perhaps best known for her work within the wedding industry, she is no stranger to party planning small or large. Putt has even worked on two inaugurations—catering for Governor Haley Barbour and floral design for President George Bush.

Putt credits her success to a love of her work and a close-knit team who are more family than co-workers. “I get to go to work and play with my friends every day, and we get to plan the most amazing events with awesome people. I get to build with beautiful flowers and spend the weekends with beautiful brides,” Putt says.

With this success, Putt says it is only natural to want to give back. “I have been given so much opportunity myself and have been so blessed that I feel a desire to contribute back to the community. I love helping others, and I love people!” she asserts. For Putt, there is no question about why she supports MCM. “It’s so important to our state and the children of Mississippi. It is so professionally done and every exhibit is supported by local businesses. Plus, it gives children a fun and safe environment to play in,” she says.

“We work as a family and treat every customer as if they were part of that family,” Putt says. We, at MCM, are grateful to be considered a part of her family and to count Putt and her team among our museum family, too!

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Chuck Galey Art Exhibit

Come & Go all month long in theGertrude C. Ford Exhibition Hall

Educator’s ProfessionalDevelopment Week

Sign up for classes today!

Run. Jump. Stick.

Exhibit running duringSpring Break Week

When Night DreamsPuppet Show

Question It? Discover It!Orthopedic Health

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Ignite The Night:London CallingAdults-Only Fundraiser

7:00 -11:00 PM

Get Heart Smart

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Visiting Artist WorkshopTeresa Haygood:Magical Bean Mosaics

Come & Go: 1:30 PM-5:30 PM

Check MCM’s social media pages each morning to see what we are celebrating each day in 2017. Join us for a pop-up program using that day’s unique theme. #CelebrateEveryDay

Visiting Artist WorkshopElaine Maisel:Butterfly Life Cycle Dance

Come & Go: 1:30 PM-5:30 PM

Visiting Artist WorkshopBlanca Love:Creations In Pottery

Come & Go: 1:30 PM-5:30 PM

Storytelling Festival

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-3:00 PM

Dr. Seuss SillyBirthday Celebration

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Question It? Discover It!Doctor’s Day

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Harry Potter Day

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Question It? Discover It!Development

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Discovering Dyslexia

Every 30 minutes from10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Question It? Discover It!Nutrition

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Mad Hatter Tea Party

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Children’s Literature Day

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Magic Monday

Museum is open9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Magic Monday

Museum is open9:00 AM-5:00 PM

Magic Monday

Museum is open9:00 AM-5:00 PM

MCM Partners Annual Meeting

11:00 AM-1:00 PM

Month of

JAN

Week of

13-17Week of

13-17

Days of

7-8

Saturday

07

Saturday

11Saturday

04

Sunday

08

Sunday

05

Sunday

05

Saturday

21

Saturday

25

Saturday

25

Saturday

29Saturday

22

Saturday

14

Saturday

18

Saturday

15Saturday

01

Monday

16

Monday

20

Monday

13

Tuesday

04

and 22nd

and 19th

and 19th

MCM SPRING 2017 CALENDARPlease note that these dates and events are subject to change. Visit www.mschildrensmuseum.org for an up-to-date schedule. /MississippiChildrensMuseum @mschildsmuseum /mschildsmuseum@mschildsmuseum

NASA Day

Come & Go: 10:00 AM-2:00 PM

Saturday

11

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enthusiastic support & dedicationM C M P A R T N E R S

“Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve.You don’t have to have a college degree to serve.

You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”

--Excerpted from “The Drum Major Instinct”,a sermon by Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1968

This quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. captures the essential spirit behind MCM’s volunteer group, the Mississippi Children’s Museum Partners (MCM Partners). Founded in 2008, MCM Partners are dedicated to promoting and financially supporting the museum. MCM Partners plan and host MCM’s signature fundraisers, volunteer during designated museum programs and special events, and increase awareness of MCM throughout Mississippi and the Southeast.

In planning the museum’s three big fundraisers, MCM Partners embrace the museum’s tagline: “We take fun seriously,” to create fun events with a serious purpose—to raise critical funding for the museum’s educational initiatives. The museum, like most non-profits, relies on generous community support to be able to accomplish its educational mission. While MCM Partners makes hosting these events look easy, in reality, their committees work together over many long months, spending countless hours putting together plans that balance good stewardship of fundraising resources with creating fabulous, fun parties that inspire people to attend—no small feat.

Ignite the Night, Neon Nights, and Fall Festival are perhaps the most visible ways that most people encounter MCM Partners. However, MCM Partners

are just as busy working behind the scenes serving the museum in other critical capacities. During Planting the Seeds to Read, MCM’s family literacy program, they provide and serve dinner to the participating families. They also assist the museum’s staff as needed. Since this happens once-a-week for seven weeks, the help they provide is invaluable. In addition, the museum calls on MCM Partners any time the museum embarks on a new endeavor—most recently during Read to Succeed, a reading camp for struggling readers which MCM successfully piloted last summer with help from MCM Partners.

MCM Partners also foster the next generation of volunteers and leaders with their Youth Ambassador Council (YAC). Each member of MCM Partners is able to nominate a high school student to serve as a YAC. These students agree to give a minimum of 12 hours of service to the museum during events or other museum designated activities. YACs have helped with everything from dressing up in costume so guests get to meet their favorite heroes, to manning Spin Art in Outside the Lines, to working one-on-one with children on crafts during Holiday Spectacular. Not only are these YACs developing professional skills, they also are learning the importance of leadership through service.

MCM would not be possible without the tireless efforts of our MCM Partners.They inspire us with their love of children and their desire to create the mostunparalleled experiences for them as possible. Their enthusiastic support and dedication to the museum’s mission and vision helps us in everything we do and reminds us that, together, we truly will be able to make a difference so that all of Mississippi’s children will be able to discover and achieve their potential.

Alicen Blanchard is the 2017 chair for MCM’s signature fundraising event, Ignite the Night—an annual adults-only evening when the grownups get to take over the museum to party with the purpose to raise critical support for MCM’s educational initiatives. Coordinated by MCM Partners with an inventive new theme each year, this event incorporates clever popular culture and specially curated cuisine for a creative night to remember.

“Since Americans have long been fascinated with all things British: the Royal family (especially a royal wedding), the history, the accent, the food, the manners, and the music, we are bringing London to Mississippi,” she says.

Ignite the Night: London Calling invites guests to boogie to the beats of classic British tunes, nosh on fish and chips, and hobnob with some of London’s most colorful characters. Snap a selfie with Her Majesty in front of the London Eye, if you can make it through the fog and past the palace guards, of course!

SAVE THE DATEMCM Partners Annual Meeting • April 4, 2017

SIGNATURE FUNDRAISER

ACROSS THE POND

The exhibit design process for MCM-Meridian is well underway.

$3 MILLION COMMITMENT

The MCM-Meridian Steering Committee recently hosted Tom Kraemer of Kraemer Design & Production, Inc. and Marnie Maxwell of Maxwell Associates, Inc., the award-winning design team that developed the original exhibits in Jackson, for a series of focus groups in Meridian to gather community input about the exhibits. Expected to occupy 9,500 square feet, the three exhibit galleries will focus on health and nutrition; literacy; and STEM. Aspects of the cultural arts and East Mississippi heritage with be incorporated throughout.

“We want the final result to be an experience that is uniquely Meridian. Even though you might do similar activities in other children’s museums, how they are presented here will be different and unique to this community,” Maxwell says.

“We are wrapping up the master planning stage of the exhibit experience development process. We will review the information and comments gleaned from the focus groups and adjust the illustrations as needed to convey the final intent.” Kraemer says.

This is just the exciting first step in a complex process, which also will require concept, schematic, detail, and graphic design development before fabrication can ever happen. Once master design plans are finalized, they will give a tangible look at the hands-on learning opportunities this project is trying to achieve.

Community member, Ann Compton, examining designs and giving input

about the proposed exhibit plans

MCM recently had the opportunity to sit down with Lloyd Gray, the Executive Director of the Phil Hardin Foundation, to talk about the foundation’s support of education in Mississippi and their significant and generous $3 million commitment toward the $12 million capital campaign goal for the MCM-Meridian project.

“Our strategic focus at this time is to improve student achievement in Pre-K through 12th grade settings. We want to support efforts that build educational resources at every juncture and that create opportunities which can be models for the state,” Gray explains.

Gray says that the Phil Hardin Foundation believes that it is important for local businesses, communities, educational entities, and cultural institutions to work together to improve

Mississippi’s overall trajectory. “The Phil Hardin Foundation is heavily involved in education at every level in Meridian as well as around the state, and we see a need for communities to view their educational institutions and other learning opportunities from a holistic community perspective. Nothing exists in isolation; it’s all part of the whole,” Gray says.

“We believe that cultural institutions should be sources of community unity and cohesiveness, places for people to come together and learn to appreciate each other more,” he adds.

Gray says that the Phil Hardin Foundation recognizes the potential for MCM-Meridian because of the Mississippi Children’s Museum’s existing work both as an informal educational entity and as a community convener.

“We’ve seen what the Mississippi Children’s Museum in Jackson has done with its outreach to children across the socioeconomic spectrum, and we believe Meridian and East Mississippi deserve that same kind of opportunity. They will work hand-in-hand with the schools and other educational organizations in the community and region, and everyone will benefit,” he says.

Gray’s hope for the future is that every child in Mississippi, regardless of his or her circumstances of birth, will have the opportunity for the kind of education that expands life’s possibilities. That is a vision, that we, at MCM, share. We are grateful to Lloyd Gray and to the Phil Hardin Foundation for their generous support and look forward to working together to achieve this goal.

MCM-Meridian Leadership

Advisory CommitteeJohn AndersonDr. Amy Carter

Dr. Terry Dale CruseDavid HallEddie Kelly

Andrea LundDustin MarkhamHallie Swindoll

Steering CommitteeLindsey Aull

Kimberly DenisonCatherine LeachAmanda Murphy

Win Maxey ShumateLiz Wilson

Honorary ChairsLinda Grant

Melanie Mitchell

Capital Campaign CabinetOtis Gowdy, Jr.Lou Ann Lamar

Frances LongDana VanVeckhoven

Tyler WaltonStephanie Wright

Site Selection CommitteeBrooke Chamblee

Bill CookeDavid HallRicky Hood

Jim McGinnisHallie Phillips

Building CommitteeBrooke Chamblee

Bill CookeDavid Hall

Hallie PhillipsDon Rogers

Terrell Temple

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$25,000+C Spire FoundationCommunity Foundation of Greater JacksonGertrude C. Ford FoundationInstitute of Museum and Library ServicesJunior League of JacksonMississippi Farm Bureau FederationNissan North America, Inc.St. Dominic Health Services, Inc.The Kelly Gene Cook Sr. Charitable Foundation, Inc.TrustmarkW.K. Kellogg Foundation

$10,000 - $24,999Donna and Jim BarksdaleFrieda and Joe LauderdaleAshley and Hu MeenaAssociation of Children’s MuseumsAtmos EnergyBankPlusBarksdale Reading InstituteClarion Ledger *Feild Co-Operative Association, Inc.Jackson Convention & Visitors BureauKroger Delta Marketing Area

Mississippi Development AuthorityRegions BankSanderson Farms, Inc.Toyota Motor North America, Inc.University of Mississippi Medical CenterWJTV News Channel 12 *

$5,000 - $9,999Maggi and Lee LamptonBlue Cross & Blue Shield of MississippiCanadian National Railway CompanyCoaching For LiteracyDunn French Foundation Entergy Mississippi, Inc.ERGONFountain Family FoundationHederman Brothers *Henry and Martha Hederman Charitable FoundationHertz Investment GroupHorne, LLPMetropolitan BankParents & Kids Magazine *Plum Creek FoundationPortico Jackson *Renasant Bank

$2,500 - $4,999Donna and Clark Bruce Karen and Charles Bush 7th Generation FoundationBancorpSouthBKD, LLPBumpers Drive-In Chevron Pascagoula RefineryDollar General Literacy FoundationEastGroup PropertiesEaton Aerospace GroupGannett FoundationJackson Free Press/Boom Jackson *Lee M. Nicols, MD, PLLC

M-Tek, Inc.Maris, West & Baker *Mississippi Arts CommissionPaul Moak Honda Volvo SubaruPepsi-Cola/Brown Bottling Group *Southern Beverage *Taste of the SouthThe Radio People of Jackson *Well-Being Magazine of MS, LLC *

$1,000 - $2,499Sarah and John D. AdamsAnonymousMary Gresham and Rick BarrLisa and Mike BemisJoan and Tom BertautPatsy and Carl BrookingHope and Bill BynumGinny DeHartMary Preston and John DubberlyBeth and Nick HansenOlivia and Jerry R. HostTish and Haden HughesBetty and Martin JuePaula and Malcom KempFarrah and Steve KennedyAbba and Claude MappBettye and Dick MasonChavanne and Jay P. McDonald, Jr.Lori and Chris NewcombAmanda and Scott OverbyBeth and Chip PickeringKim and Trey PorterMary and Alex PurvisSara and Bill RayDonna Reiss Carole Richardson and Ashley Becker Leslie Ridgeway *Patricia and Roy H. RubySarah and Jeff SkeltonJanet and Charlie SpainCarol TatumMargaret H. WalkerA Plus Signs and Creative *Audi JacksonBradley, LLPFirst Commercial BankHOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation Hope Credit Union)Jones Walker LLPKPMG, LLPLower Pearl River Valley FoundationMagnolia Federal Credit UnionMcNeely Plastic Products, Inc.Mississippi Forestry AssociationMississippi Press Association and Services

Mississippi Puppetry Guild, Inc.MMC MaterialsNeel-SchafferRoss & Yerger Insurance, Inc.Sam E. and Burnice C. Wittel FoundationSmith Shellnut Wilson, LLCSoutheastern Timber Products, LLCSouthern Farm Bureau LifeSunbelt Sealing, Inc.Surgical Care Affiliates Top it Off Events *

Clifton Osbon/ Transcript Pharmacy, Inc.Lott LeadershipU.S. Foods *Yokohama Tire Manufacturing MS, LLC

$500 - $999Kelly and George AbdoAnonymous Alicen and E.J. BlanchardRobin and Troy BrowningLindsay and Justin BufordChristine K. ChardRoslyn and Suman K. DasSteve DavisSusan and Frank Duke Oleta Garrett Fitzgerald Lisa and John F. FletcherSusan and John W. Garrard, IILeigh and Andrew GradyMargaret and Jimmy C. HaysLee and Charles JacksonJanie and Steve MaloneyLyn and David L. McMillinSonia and Ray-Scott MillerHolly and Jonathan MooreVicki and Sam ScottEdith and Jacques Sollberger Lisa and Bill ThompsonJan and Andrew TownesAmy and DeFord Walker Elizabeth and Rodney WilsonAdcock & Morrison, PLLCBliss Gift and Home *Burke Handling Systems *Cathead Vodka *Chad Mars, LLC *Fondren Public *Freeman Water Treatment, Inc.Gray Daniels Nissan NorthGreat Scott *Jaco’s Tacos Charity NightKroger Card RewardsLarry and Michael Johnson Family FoundationBaptist Health SystemsMS Master Gardener AssociationSanderson Farms Championship *Socrates Garrett Enterprises, Inc. *Southern Ag CreditTharp and Klaus Dental GroupThe Club at St. Dominic’s *The Rogue/Luke and Alison Abney *Treehouse Boutique *

$250 - $499Amy and Eric AmundsonAnonymous Tyler ArmstrongNell and Wilson Barr Lacey and Patrick BerginCarol BiedenharnKim and Steven Bowers/Bowers AutoEmily CorkernHilary and Ben CraddockMeredith and Jimmy CreekmoreRenee and Conrad Ebner Christie and Paxton Farese *Sara Hart and Gordon FellowsCynthia FieldCynthia and David Gandy/ Jackson Orthopaedic ClinicShannon HahnMuffet and Tip HaileyAlice and Bill HarperMelanie and Rob Hataway Emily and Kern HoffAnn and Henry HolifieldMamie and Jetson HollingsworthCaldwell HughesPaula and Randy JamesRuby and David JoeJennifer and Peder Johnson Libby and Ted H.Kendall, IVMary and Ted H. Kendall, IIICrystal and Patrick KlarMeg LakeHolly and Alan LangeMargie and Rick LargentVicki and Bill LeechHayley and John LundySara Jane and Jeff McCraryMeredith and Paul J. McDonald Sr.Missy and Trippe McNeesePaul McNeillShani and Jackie MeckSusan and Robert MimsHeather and Craig MontgomeryBetsey MosbyVirginia MoungerJ. Scott Newman Davis and Bob NunneryKaty and Jay PacelliSherry and Richard Partridge/

Partridge Production Co. LLCLeigh and Todd Reeves/ Climate MastersSarah RossStacy and David SeagoKristie and Steven SpeightsMary Ellen and Jeff StancillGwennetta and Joe TatumKaren TaylorSandy and David TempleJan and Andrew TownesKimberly R. WatsonDr. Sarah WebbAmanda and Nathan WellsLibba and Roy Wilkes

Keller and Heath WraySarah and Russell YoungMollie YoungAlliance Business ServicesAnnelle Primos and Associates *Blithe and Vine *Lori Bragg Marketplace Real EstateCarroll’s Landscape ServicesChris Haynes Electric Supply, Inc.Cowboy Maloney’s Electric City *Davaine Lighting *Harmony Dental Care *J & J Specialty Advertising, Inc.Jackson-Metro Alumnae Club of Pi Beta Phi *Kinkade’s *Kristos RestaurantKrutz Family Cellars *Luckett Pump & Well Service, Inc.McGraw Rental & Supply *Nix Tann & AssociatesPolk’s DrugsSchwartz & Associates, P.A./ Richard SchwartzSpecialty Metals Supply, Inc.Storagemax NorthtownThe Hull FoundationThimblepressTwo Men and a TruckUnited Way of the Capital Area, Inc.W. O. Stone Advisors, LTD.Watson Quality Ford

$1 - $249Whitney AllenSusan and Christian AllenburgerBeth and John AllgoodAnonymous Jessica ArbuthnotBarbara AustinHeather AveryGloria and William BagnallMary Bryan Barksdale Marian and Claiborne BarksdaleHelen B. BarnesDeanna and Adair Blackledge/ Blackledge Face Center,PAAshley and Michael BorneElizabeth and Shelby BrantleyJean Turner BrewerKathy and Henry BurkhalterJoy and Donnie CannadaNancy and Rodney ChambleeEllen and Jimmy H. ClaytonGinger and Ronnie CockayneFrances and Tom ColemanGloria and John CorreroTara and Merrida CoxwellStaci Waits CrawfordRebecca CupplesMary L. DavisSusan and Mac DeaverKimberly and Dru DenisonDottie and Joe DonaldsonAnne and Mike DulskeDonna and Brad DyeWilliam S. Ellzey Lynda and Doug FerrisLarry B. FloodDr. Charles K. Floyd, Jr.Nell and John Flynt

Allison FranchiaKitty and Louis FullerSusan FultonStephanie and Mark GarrigaGretchen and Curtis GentryNola K. GibsonChristine and Bobby GillDolly and Wesley GoingsKristal and Joe GoldenGloria GreenPat and Raymond GrenfellMaureen and Glenn GriffinCatherine HamptonLouise HartleinPatricia and Frederick G. HaysElizabeth and James HaysBlair and Doug HedermanJim HicksVicki Hightower Melissa and Robert HutchisonJulie Jackson Sallie and Janko JacksonBarbara and Wolsey JonesCathy JoynerSusan KingLeila and Sam LaneSarah F. Lenoir Carla and Richard LewisStephanie and Stephen Mangafakis Buttons MarchettiDenise MarshHeather and James L. Martin, Jr.Mary and Doug MasterPatricia McClureCindy and Mac McGeheeCollette and John McIntyreBarbara McLaughlinKellye and David McMillanLeslie and Ben MileyMary Sue and Don MitchellHelen and Red Moffat Lila R. MorelandCamille and William Morris BPGDurden and Jim Moss BPGAllison and Jack G. MuirheadWendy and Chuck MullinsRuby NeedhamWill Norris Ann PaceAdrienne Parker Marcia and Bill PennJana PerryKaye and Nickolas PetkasPamela PratherSusie and John PuckettMary and Richard PuckettLeanna Range OwensPatti Reiss Sharon and Tom RhodenNicole RinaldiStephanie and Brian RippeeApril and Richard RobersonRhonda and Billy RobertsKaren and Lester RobinsonBurdette and Scottie RussSaxton Law, PLLCMary Schiele ScanlonCarlene and Pat ScanlonCharlotte and Calvin SealsLondon and Joseph SimpsonBeth and Steve SmithCynthia StricklinDana and Hoopy StringerLeigh Ann TaborJan and Zach TaylorCindi TemplePerry Anne and Paul ThimmesCynthia TillBetty R. ToddJulie TomasinJudith and Jay TravisHenry B. TylerSandra and Murray UnderwoodJonathan VarneyHeather and Will ViseMalinda and Jim Warren

$25,000+Junior League of Jackson

$10,000 - $24,999BankPlusHerrin-Gear Toyota-ScionJackson Convention & Visitors BureauSanderson Farms, Inc.The Garden Club of JacksonThe University of Mississippi Medical Center

$5,000-$9,999Association of Children’s MuseumsBarksdale Reading InstituteERGONGannett FoundationJackson Heart Foundation/ (Jackson Heart)Mississippi Development AuthorityMississippi Forestry AssociationU.S. Foods *

$2,500 - $4,999AnonymousBKD, LLPEat Drink Mississippi Magazine *Entergy Mississippi, Inc.Fresh Cut Catering & Floral *Hederman Brothers *KPMG, LLPMcNeely Plastic Products, Inc.Mississippi Arts CommissionPepsi-Cola/Brown Bottling Group *Portico Jackson *Well-Being Magazine of MS, LLC *Wells Fargo Foundation

$1,000 - $2,499Mary Gresham and Rick BarrJoan and Tom BertautHolly and Brooks BuchananLisa and John F. FletcherSusan and John W. Garrard, IIMargaret and Jimmy C. HaysBetty and Martin JueJim McRaeLaurie Hearin McReeHolley and Don NoblittRichard Simon

Carol TatumDr. Sarah WebbBradley, LLPHOPE (Hope Enterprise Corporation/ Hope Credit Union)Mac Haik MotorsBaptist Health SystemsRaising Cane’s Chicken Fingers *Raymond James Financial ServicesSam E. and Burnice C. Wittel FoundationSouthern Beverage *Sunbelt Sealing, Inc.Surgicare of JacksonThe Radio People of Jackson *Whole Foods Market *

$500 - $999Donna and Clark Bruce Marcie D. DavantAnne and Mike DulskeBeth and Nick HansenPatricia and Robert JarrettMitcie and Kirk ReidBeth and Steve SmithJanet and Charlie SpainCannon Motors of MississippiCathead Vodka *Davaine Lighting *Jackson Free Press/Boom Jackson *Southern Farm Bureau Life *Tabor Law Firm, PA *

$250-$499Kelly and George Abdo Kristin and Sidney AllenAnna and Fred AsherKim and Steven Bowers/Bowers AutoLindsay and Justin BufordCaroline and Jonathan B. ComprettaRula and Samer Dabit/Dabit PropertiesLaurel and Price DonahooSusan and Frank DukeOleta Garrett FitzgeraldGretchen and Curtis GentryAllison and Lee GrubbsCarter and Wilson HoodJesse and Joseph HornbackClair and Brad HuffLisa and Benjamin Jeffcoat

Jennifer and Peder JohnsonVicki and Bill LeechPaula and Mac LongChavanne and Jay P. McDonald, Jr.Carolyn and Scott NoblittMaggie and Lee ParkerDonna Reiss Laura and Tommy StansellAmy and Brian TempleGene and Patrick WrightJordan and Adams YergerKate Spade New York *Kelly Wynne Handbags *Nix Tann & AssociatesThe Alluvian *Venture TechnologiesWatson Quality Ford

$1 - $249Matthew AdamsKaty and Clifton AgnewWhiteny AllenTaylor AllenTyler ArmstrongAren AtkinsonHeather AveryBobby BallardMark BeanblossomZachary BellDeanna and Adair Blackledge/ Blackledge Face Center,PALinsey BoatnerCaroline BobingerAlison BodmerRebecca BourneJulia BradleyMichael BrownJana BurchfieldLuke BurnettRyan BurrageLeigh and William CampbellKelsey CarrollBrian CaswellShellie CheathamAllie CoatsLauren CoeBob CorkernMelanie CoxLauren CraigEmily CrawfordRichard DavidsonLindsay DehmerWesley DoddLane DodderCharles DonaldSeth DotherowMollie EstesSteven FaulksSara Hart and Gordon FellowsLindsey FergusonNell and John FlyntHudson FreyJeff GainesAmy and Ross Goodin, Jr.Charles GrangerMaureen and Glenn GriffinAlex Halinski

Martha HeadleyHolly HearonKevin HedglinKelly HinesJustin HobbsBlake HobbsPaul HopperJessica HousdanTyler HowellTish and Haden HughesDrew HutchinsWill InghramEdward JoeChristian JohnstonSusan and Howard JonesChristina KammerPaula and Malcom KempAnna KendallJamie KerrMadelyn KingJames KingJohannes KrugerDeborah LarkinLynda and Stefan LehnererTaylor LoosierRobert LoweryMalorie LuckettStephanie and Stephen MangafakisElizabeth MasonHeather and Tad McCraneyRyan McKibbenLyn and David L. McMillinMichelle and Benjamin McMurtrayPaul McNeillPriscilla MillerRachel Scanlon MintonAnna MoakHeather and Craig MontgomeryLaurie MorganMark MorganfieldKatie MouldsBrittany MyersTrent NelsonMary and William R. NewmanAshley NolenRobert NunleyMary and Kyle OverstreetNatalie Pace

Matt ParhamSherry and Richard PartridgeTaylor PhillipsTodd PittsDeLeslie PorchKim and Trey PorterJennifer PorterChristopher PriceValerie and David PriceAnthoney PurnellAlice PyronSarah Frances RayJennifer ReddingKris and Philip RhodesLeslie RhodesMarci RobinsSara RogersElizabeth RussKatie SahlerMeredith SchillingCarlye SmithMichelle SmithJoseph SparkmanWard and James C. SumnerIndia and Alan TorreyElizabeth TribbleDelaney VedrosHannah WagonBrantley WaltonMalinda and Jim WarrenJohn WatsonKim WatsonPatricia WebbCay and Sonny WedgworthEmily WeimerMorgan WiggersFlorence WilliamsColby WilliamsDominic WilliamsKoby WoffordKelly WrightTaylor ZeiglerBrown’s Fine Art and Framing *FTM Photography *Greater Mississippi Combined Federal CampaignJ. McLaughlin *Kroger Card Rewards *Paxton Peak Olde Towne Outfitters *Pinnacle Trust Company, LLCSalon 11 *

Memorials and CelebrationsIn Memory of Isabella Newman Bucky, Lynda, Buckley and Charley Stewart In Memory of John Reiss Donna Reiss In Memory of Kathy Frye Donna Reiss In Memory of Melinda Wilkinson Tish and Haden HughesIn Honor of Cathy Joyner Maureen Griffin

Tara and Gene WassonBecky and Chris WatererHolly and Christopher WiggsAudrey and Jim WilkirsonM’lee and Kelley WilliamsMichelle and Scott WilliamsBunny and Charley WindhamCarolyn N. WorleyBeth and Joe YoungChristine and Steve Zachow47 Blooms, LLC *A Daisy A Day *AmazonSmile FoundationAntique Shops of Jackson *Arco Avenue *Bravo! *Broad Street Bakery *Broken Shell *Campbell’s Bakery *Cock of the Walk *

Colony Wine Market *Combined Federal Campaign of Warren CountyDavis Unlimited, LLCDiva Dog *Drake’s Design *Drench Day Spa *Dsquared *Federated Campaign StewardsFleet Feet Sports *Forty Four Fifty *Fresh Ink *Gingersnaps *Greater Mississippi Combined Federal CampaignHemline Ridgeland *J. Olive Co. *Joe T’s Wine and Spirits *Learning Express *Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry *Lemuria Books *Lost Pizza Co. Jackson *LUXE *McDade’s Wine and Spirits *Merle Norman Renaissance *Mississippi Cheesestraw Factory, Inc. *Mississippi Track Club *Phillips Lumber & Home Center *Pinnacle Trust Company, LLC *Pure Barre *Red Square Clothing Co. *Ruth Chris Steakhouse *Saltine *Sherwood Forest Garden ClubSmitten, LLC *Stinky Feet Athletics *The Alluvian *The Country Club of Jackson *

The Everyday Gourmet *The Fairview Inn *The Flower Girls *The Little Gym of Jackson at Renaissance *The Palladian Club * Turkoyz, Inc. *Ulmer’s Stride RightVillage Boutique *Village Package Liquor Store *Walker’s Drive In *

Memorials & CelebrationsIn Memory of Kathy Frye Susan and Christian Allenburger Alicen and E.J. Blanchard Nancy and Rodney Chamblee Meredith and Jimmy Creekmore Dottie and Joe Donaldson Susan and Frank Duke Lynda and Doug Ferris Kitty and Louis Fuller Susan and John W. Garrard, II Christine and Bobby Gill Jim Hicks Emily and Kern Hoff Mamie and Jetson Hollingsworth Tish and Haden Hughes Melissa and Robert Hutchison Sallie and Janko Jackson Paula and Malcom Kemp Stephanie and Stephen Mangafakis Heather and James L. Martin, Jr. Bettye and Dick Mason Helen and Red Moffat Camille and William Morris Durden and Jim Moss

Elisa and Brian Phillips Patti Reiss Sharon and Tom Rhoden April and Richard Roberson Burdette and Scottie Russ Janet and Charlie Spain Carol Tatum Jan and Zach Taylor Sandra and Murray Underwood Cheryl and Calvin Wells Larry and Michael Johnson Family Foundation In Memory of Isabella Newman Vince W. Barr Donna Bruce Anonymous Gabrielle Donato William S. Ellzey Melanie Hataway Vicki Hightower Julie C. Jackson Peder Johnson Sarah F. Lenoir J. Scott Newton Will Norris Adrienne Parker Karen Robinson Jacques Sollberger Michelle Williams In Memory of William B. Allison, Jr. Larry B. FloodIn Memory of Uriel Leonard Hamburg Cynthia Till BPGIn Memory of Preston Hays Margaret H. WalkerIn Memory of Joseph Hey Beth and Joe Young

In Memory of Grace G. Merritt and Ruth Merritt Moore Tish and Haden HughesIn Memory of John Reiss Donna Reiss Gloria and William Bagnall In Honor of Michael Galarno Tish and Haden HughesIn Honor of Susan Gararrd Junior League of JacksonIn Honor of Mary and Richard Puckett Karen and Charles BushIn Celebration of Anne Dulske Denise MarshIn Celebration of Claiborne Barksdale Mary Bryan Barksdale In Honor of Karen and Charles Bush Mary and Richard PuckettIn Celebration of Cathy Joyner Maureen and Glenn Griffin

ANNUAL DONORS

QUARTERLY DONORS

Contributors to the Mississippi Children’s Museum from

June 01, 2015 - May 31, 2016

Contributors to the Mississippi Children’s Museum from

July 15, 2016 - November 15, 2016

* denotes an in-kind donation

denotes a Build.Play.Grow. donation

* denotes an in-kind donation

denotes a Build.Play.Grow. donation

If you wish to change your recognition, please contact us at donate@mcm.ms.

If you wish to change your recognition, please contact us at donate@mcm.ms.

14 | MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM | SPRING 2017 • PLAYBOOK 15 | MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN’S MUSEUM | SPRING 2017 • PLAYBOOK

BY THE NUMBERSFISCAL YEAR 2015-2016

June 1, 2015-May 31, 2016

365BIRTHDAYPARTIES

140,623*

MUSEUM GUESTS*excludes facility rental and special event visitors

2,200ACTIVE MEMBERSHIPS

6,257VISITORS PARTICIPATED

IN A PROGRAM

30MUSEUMRENTALS

Over 388 volunteers

served more than 10,623 hours!

This represents more than

$250,000contributed to the museum.

30,281FIELD TRIP VISITORS

505FIELD TRIPS

FUNCTIONAL EXPENSESProgram Services ...........................................78.96%Management and General ...........................14.67%Fundraising .......................................................6.38%

SOURCES OF REVENUE/SUPPORTOperating Revenue ...................................... 48.50%Educational Programs/Sponsorships ......... 21.18%Donations & Grants........................................ 19.01%Memberships .................................................. 10.27%Other Income ................................................... 1.04%

The museum undergoes an annual audit by an independent audit firm.To date, all audits have received an unqualified opinion.

CHARITY NAVIGATORAwarded 4 out of 4 star rating2014, 2015, 2016

TRIP ADVISORCertificate of Excellence: 2012-2016Rated #1 travel attraction for Jackson, MS

• Facebook: 19,874 page likes• Twitter: 7,493 followers• Instagram: 3,086 followers

REIMAGINING THE NEW YEAR WITH A NEW GIFTThe Junior League of Jackson (JLJ) established the Forget-Me-Not Fund to create a reserve for MCM to sustain it as an educational and inspirational resource for generations of children to come. This fund allows MCM to meet the museum’s ongoing needs from improving the physical campus, to repairing and replacing its exhibits, to making enhancements which will not only keep the museum vibrant and cutting-edge but also address the vital and ever-changing needs of Mississip-pi’s children.

MCM has begun the process of reimagining and reinterpreting the exhibits within our galleries. This means rethinking not just what is important for learning now but also thinking towards the concepts children will need for the future.

In World at Work, which is MCM’s gallery that focuses on industry in Mississippi, a redesign already is underway. One of the most popular exhibits at MCM has been the 2010 Nissan Altima, giving hundreds of thousands of children the chance to take their families on exciting adventures. Through a donation from Nissan North America, MCM has received a brand new 2016 Nissan Altima that replaced the original exhibit this winter. In addition to a Nissan Altima, Nissan also made a generous $50,000 contribution to MCM’s Forget-Me-Not Fund. This donation partially helped to underwrite the retrofitting of the car and is significant because it is the first such gift that has been made to the fund by a MCM founding donor.

The new car was shipped from the Nissan Vehicle Assembly Plant in Canton, MS to Cincinnati, Ohio, where it is being transformed into a new exhibit. The exhibit fabricator working on the Altima, Mike Murphy of ADEX International, is well acquainted with MCM’s exhibits--he was one of the lead fabricators for the Ex-ploring Mississippi gallery as well as other popular exhibits around the museum.

MCM Assistant Director of Exhibits, Samantha King, says that the new Altima will include some of the popular things about the current car, but also bring new experiences to visitors at the museum as well. “This car will have lots of new things like sounds and light. They are installing buttons around the car that will be differ-ent from the old ones,” she explains. “For the radio inside the car, we are develop-ing sound buttons. One button will highlight Nissan with facts and figures, while the other buttons will be fun music clips or sound bites you hear in the car. We want to make the experience more authentic and exciting.”

$1,000,000+The Phil Hardin Foundation

$250,000 - $999,999Hall Timberlands Southern Pipe & Supply

$100,000 - $249,999Melanie and Manny Mitchell Junior Auxiliary of Meridian The Riley Foundation

$50,000 - $99,999Deanna A. Wilbourn Bowers AutoEast Mississippi Oral & Facial Surgery

$50,000 - $99,999Linda and Marty Davidson Kimberly and Dru Denison Kelley and Otis Gowdy, Jr. Urelaine Simon-Hart and George HartSissie and Frederick Wile Anderson Regional Health Systems

Long Distribution - Ray Long, Sam Long, and Trey Long

$10,000 - $24,999Lindsey and Cody AullElizabeth and Benjamin E. Box Gayle and Joel Callahan Amanda and Matt Cassell Charles Ledbetter, Forestry Consultant Inc. Doctors Farheen and Asif Lala Holly and Jonathan Moore Betty and Richard Vise Stephanie and Benny Wright Merrill Lynch New South Nissan

$5,000 – $9,999Kacey and Bo BaileyMayor Percy Bland III and Mrs. Deidre M. BlandJamie and Bob CaterBrooke and Michael Chamblee Susan and George Hill Jenny Ruth and Larkin Kennedy Frances and Samuel Long

Angela and David C. Majure, II Ronnye PurvisHelen and Lee Valentine Elizabeth and Rodney Wilson Leading Edges* Magnolia Steele Co., Inc.Woodstock Furniture

$1,000 – $4,999Anonymous Kimberly and Howard Bartee, Jr. and Sons Jeanna and Bo Bennett Elizabeth Brookshire Susan and Bob CoffinTori and Dustin Culpepper Rula and Samer Dabit/Dabit PropertiesMelissa and Paul GoldmanAmy and Ross Goodin, Jr. Linda and Fred Grant Marsha and Bubba Hannah Allison and Trey Hannah Clair and Brad Huff Patricia and Robert Jarrett Tanya and Kermit KendrickJim McRae

Jenn and John NorthamMeryl Lee and William L. NunneryHelen and Wade SimsAmy and Brian TempleNancy and Tyler WaltonCay and Sonny WedgworthLong Wholesale Inc.Wells Fargo Advisors

$1 – $999Leslie and Charles CarruthGloria and LM ChancellorJo Beth and Greg MarantoAnn and Tom C. MaynorSuzie and Randy PoolPam & Mickey RutherfordSarai and Thomas L. Webb Cater’s Market* JTM Hospitality/Sleep Inn*

Memorials and CelebrationsIn Memory of Gloria Palmer Kerry and Jeff CookIn Honor of Richard Vise Linda and Marty Davidson

MCM-MERIDIAN DONORSContributors to the

Mississippi Children’s Museum-Meridian

* denotes an in-kind donationIf you wish to change your recognition, please contact us at donate@mcm.ms.

Mississippi’s First Lady, Deborah Bryant and children marvel at the newly installed 2016 Nissan Altima

Have fun learning everywhere you go!MCM • TO • GO

CREATE YOUR OWN VIOLIN1. Draw violin on cardboard, and cut it out.

2. Use a paint stirrer to make the neck of the violin.3. Add pipe cleaner strings!

DID YOU KNOW?The violin is the smallest and highest

pitched instrument of the string family!

A signature project of the Junior League of Jackson

This project is partially funded through a grant by Visit Jackson.

www.mschildrensmuseum.org • 601.981.5469

/MississippiChildrensMuseum @mschildsmuseum /mschildsmuseum@mschildsmuseum /MississippiChildrensMuseum

TINKER WITH TUESDAYSPONSORED BY GEORGIA-PACIFIC

Join us for every Tuesday @ 3:30 PM

DID YOU KNOW?

start

finish!

Challenge a friend to a game of

TIC•TAC•TOE!

Can you solve the maze?

SCALEEXPERIMENT

ATOMBEAKER

DATAMOLECULEWEATHER

SPACE

SCIENCE WORD SCRAMBLE!Can you unscramble the following words?

CALSE

TMAO

BKEREA

CULEMEOL

AADT

EEATHRW

SCEPA

MEINTEXPER

TEST TUBE MATH!

How full is thistest tube?

Fill this testtube full.4

143

Fill this testtube full.

A magnifying glass uses the properties of a convex

(curved or rounded) shaped lens to magnify an image,

making it easier to see.

What is something small you might need to use a magnifying glass to see?