Description

Access ASU and Children’s Museum of Phoenix partner to offer free WeGrad Digital Access for kids, parents this summer.

On the First Friday in June (6/7),  Access ASU, a K-12 outreach division at Arizona State University (ASU) dedicated to increasing access to higher education and preparing Arizona students for success, will be onsite at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix for the Museum’s Free First Friday Night event, when the Museum is open free to the general public from 5 to 9 p.m. During that time, visitors will be able to explore the Museum’s three floors of hands-on exhibits & programming as well as visit Access ASU’s tables where they will be able to make friendship bracelets, cardboard robots and other fun, interactive activities for kids – all at no charge.

Visitors will also be able to sign up for Access ASU’s WeGrad program, which provides a series of lessons for elementary, middle school and high school parents that teaches them how to reinforce the value of education, understand their role in academic success and prepare their student for college. The digital course is a self-paced experience delivered conveniently through SMS text messaging and WhatsApp and is available in both English and Spanish. WeGrad access will be offered to the Museum’s summer camp families.

There is a breakdown in interest in higher education that happens often before students even get to high school. To contend with this, the foundation and value placed on education must be laid earlier. Preparation begins with students in early childhood education and builds as they advance through elementary, middle, and high school. Access ASU has developed thoughtful programming to support parents and assist families in discussing higher education preparedness and degree attainment with their young children.

The WeGrad elementary school curriculum covers lessons with insight on parent-teacher conferences, preparing for tests, value of reading, and self-esteem and motivation. The middle school curriculum covers topics such as parents' role in academic success and building responsibility to achieve academic success. The high school curriculum delves deeper into college preparation offering insight into university admissions, college entrance exams, cost and financial aid and investing in college.

The Children’s Museum of Phoenix is located at 215 N. 7th Street, downtown Phoenix, at the SE corner of 7th Street and Van Buren in the historic Monroe School Building.

To participate in the WeGrad college readiness program, individuals are encouraged to sign up at: https://eoss.asu.edu/wegrad. Registration is not required to participate in the programming at Children’s Museum of Phoenix.