More students than ever across the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) District now have access to designated spaces where they can touch and explore the physical world around them. In partnership with the Chicago Children’s Museum, the District has been working to add Curiosity Classrooms to schools as part of efforts to bring sensory-rich, museum-quality experiences straight to children in pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade. CPS CEO Pedro Martinez – along with other District leaders, school officials, and partners from Chicago Children’s Museum – on Wednesday walked through one of the newest Curiosity Classrooms at Burke Elementary School. With the 15 rooms that opened this year, the District has now expanded the number of participating schools to 25 total. The Curiosity Classrooms feature art spaces, book nooks, block play areas, nature corners, and sensory tables to dig, scoop, and pour – all features that are meant to spark curiosity and inspire the District’s youngest learners to ask “what if” questions. Key principles of the Curiosity Classrooms include:

• Use materials that invite problem solving, self-expression and creativity 

• Wonder, observe, question, test, fail, try again 

• Provide authentic materials, equipment and tools 

• Invite children to document and share ideas and discoveries 

• Focus on STEAM concepts that can be directly experienced and are open-ended

• Include direct experiences with the natural and living world