Plan for the 2016-2017 school year with new and innovative programs from Explore & More!

Explore & More is excited to announce the launch of new and exciting programming for the 2016-2017 school year! Programs include Tinkering, Playing with Food, and Erie Canal Play Days. All programs align with NYS Curriculum Standards and Common Core. These exciting, innovative programs will be available to schools and community centers across Western New York beginning in the Fall of 2016!

In addition to these new programs, Explore & More will continue our Culture Day programming and Five Senses with a new twist. In all program offerings, students learn through hands-on experimentation, creative play, and immersive experiences. We know that it can often be a challenge to take a field trip out into the community. Let Explore & More bring these programs directly to your students for an in-school field trip!

Book a program for the 2016-2017 school year today by calling 716-655-5131 ext. 21 or email [email protected]!

A sunny day of fun at Canalside was the backdrop for Explore & More and M&T Bank’s announcement of the expansion of their partnership to include a capital investment in the new museum at Canalside, and Explore & More’s assistance with first-grade curriculum for Westminster Community Charter School in the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood. These new investments bring M&T’s total commitment to Explore & More to over $500,000.

“We’ve been committed to Explore & More’s mission since the beginning, and the Museum’s expansion and relocation to Canalside is a great springboard to broaden our partnership for the community and for the children of Western New York,” said Shelley Drake, Senior Vice President of M&T Bank and President of the M&T Bank Charitable Foundation. “As a community-focused bank, we work together to help our neighbors flourish and our customers succeed.”

M&T will be sponsoring the café in the new Explore & More Children’s Museum at Canalside, which will be situated adjacent to the canal towpaths and able to serve both Museum patrons and Canalside visitors.

The Museum’s educational exhibits and programs have incorporated play into learning for the last two decades—an approach M&T wants to add into the curriculum at the Westminster Community Charter School.

“This unique partnership will expand on the innovation and imagination already taking root in our schools, bringing the latest in experiential learning to young children and their families in our community,” said David K. Chamberlain, Vice Chairman of the Westminster Foundation and CEO of Buffalo Promise Neighborhood.

“Experiential learning is at the heart of what we do, and this is an exceptional opportunity to extend the classroom and curriculum to benefit students and teachers,” said Explore & More CEO Douglas Love. “We are grateful for our longstanding partnership with M&T Bank, and believe that this expanded relationship will benefit both organizations and the community by positively impacting Buffalo’s children.”

Wednesday WOWs are in full swing at Explore & More, with themed activities for all ages every Wednesday, 11am – 2pm, throughout July and August.

From PUSH Physical Theatre and Healthy Eating, to activities with acclaimed local children’s author Keith White, Jr., Wednesday WOWs will feature special guests, activities, crafts, performances and fun for all ages. Wednesday WOWs are drop-in programs and are free with Museum membership or admission.

Upcoming WOW themes include:

 July 27 – Healthy Eating Activities and special performance by PUSH Physical Theatre,

sponsored by Walmart

 Aug. 3 – All About Animals

 Aug. 10 – Reading Fun with children’s author Keith White Jr., also: Book Making

Aug. 17 – Big Build in the Gym with Imagination Playground & Rig-ama-jig

 Aug. 24 – Police & Fire Safety, with special visitors from our local stations

Aug. 31 – Life on the Erie Canal, sponsored by Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

     and the Tower Foundation

Explore & More is enjoying its 9th season at Canalside with free family outdoor fun every Friday, through September 2^nd, from 11am – 2pm.  Bring the whole family to enjoy FREE, drop-in, hands-on activities outdoors, under tents on the lawns adjacent to the Canals every Friday!

*Please note: Daycares, camps, school groups and other groups must contact our Programs Manager to arrange visiting Explore & More’s activities Canalside, at least one week prior to the visit: (716) 655-5131 ext. 21.

Generously sponsored by Wegmans Food Markets and Western New York Immediate Care, our upcoming summer Canalside programs include:

July 22 – Great Big Fun with a Life Size Operation Game from WNY Immediate Care

July 29 – Building Buddies

August 5 – ZOOM into Transportation

August 12 – Bubbles Bubbles with WNY Immediate Care

August 19 – Trying Tools and a Life Size Operation Game from WNY Immediate Care

August 26 – Erie Canal Play Day

September 2 – Family Build-a-Thon

Explore & More is the perfect place to spend your STAYCATION, visiting a different home country of a Buffalo immigrant population each day over spring break!  From food sampling to craft making, games to performances, language activities, art projects, there’s so much to explore!

The Museum is open 10:00am-5:00pm each day listed below, with our special activities ongoing from 11:00am-3:00pm.  Details of each day’s activities can be found on our calendar, click here.

Monday, March 21, Democratic Republic of Congo

Tuesday, March 22, India

Wednesday, March 23, Yemen*

Thursday, March 24, Colombia**

Friday, March 25, Myanmar (Burma)*

Monday, March 28, Poland/Dyngus Day

*These programs made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. **This program made possible by Families of FANA.