Dart Foundation - First Impression Room

New Exhibit Area to Expand Preschool Programs at Impression 5

by Impression 5

LANSING, MI – Impression 5 Science Center is pleased to announce the opening of its new, 3,000-square-foot First Impression Room. The project is a $170,000 collaboration between Impression 5, the Harley Beatty Foundation, Jackson National Life Insurance, Dart Foundation, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the PNC Foundation as part of its Grow Up Great initiative.

Opening Wednesday, May 25, at 10AM, this new addition will nearly triple the size of the current First Impression Room and will provide a safe, interactive and stimulating environment for children from birth to age four and their caregivers.

The project is a $170,000 collaboration....

New amenities will include a life–sized crawl–through tree, climbing loft, water table, play house, enhanced infant area, multi–user SMART Board and WKAR Resource Corner where children and parents can watch science–based, preschool programming together and receive resources about WKAR's Ready to Learn program. Additional areas, such as a family restroom and nursing room, have been designed to meet the needs of families, infants and nursing mothers.

To celebrate the opening of the new space, The PNC Financial Services Group is sponsoring a visit from the Grow Up Great initiative's Mobile Learning Adventure. PNC's signature philanthropic cause, Grow Up Great is a 10-year, $100 million initiative to enhance early childhood education and school readiness. The traveling exhibit provides children with the opportunity to engage in hands–on activities and gives parents access to information about the importance of early childhood education. This exhibit will be open from 10AM to 4PM on Wednesday, May 25, and will be located in Impression 5's parking lot.

"With the opening of our newly designed First Impression Room, we hope that families will feel comfortable and ready to play, " said Micaela Balzer, Impression 5's Education Director. "We want guests to experience all of the new First Impression Room features so that they can explore science in the best ways possible! "

The hands–on learning environment of Impression 5 opened in 1972 and has served over 2.7 million visitors over the past 39 years. The mission of Impression 5 is to facilitate learners of all ages in exploring, discovering, and experiencing the scientific wonders of the world.