Coral Reef Window Display & Kids' Art Collab
Hi Kid Lab families, Shannon here!
I just finished making our newest window display and thought I’d share some pictures of the process. It’s all about one of my favorite topics: coral reefs.
Ever since snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef 14 years ago, I’ve been fascinated by the vibrant biodiversity found in coral reefs. When I learned about the devastating effects of global warming on the world’s reef systems (something called coral bleaching), I started passionately sharing with kids our urgent need, and collective responsibility, for recycling and re-using materials whenever we can.
About five years ago (pre-Kid Lab), I had the honor of being an artist-in-residence at Marbles Kids Museum, where I designed a large-scale version of a coral reef made from medical gloves, toothpicks, straws, shower loofahs, mop heads, paper cups, and other re-used material. It was amazing to be able to merge three things I love into one experience: designing an art installation, working with kids, and building community.
I still get a kick out of telling people how to find my work at Marbles: “Look for it behind the yellow submarine, next to the pirate ship.” (I mean, really, how many people get to say that!)
That experience at Marbles was so fun that I started Kid Lab shortly after and began offering arts enrichment programs in schools. Now, several other schools in the area have giant coral reefs too!
Fast forward to now! When we were planning for our ocean theme in the Lab, it was a no brainer to bring a piece of this amazing marine ecosystem into the Lab for us to talk about and spark playful learning. It was so fun to build it and imagine kids lying underneath and dreaming about what it would be like to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef one day.
My hope is that kids will also want to contribute to the coral reef project as the month goes on. Check out our upcoming STEAM Lab where you can make a jellyfish to add to the display and make a mini coral reef biome to take home!
