Nothing beats the experience of going to the Detroit Zoo or The Detroit Institute of Arts but the DIA and the Zoo have created virtual ways of enjoying our favorite living exhibits and incredible artistic exhibits during their closures.
The DIA and the Detroit Zoo are sharing the art and the animals through their websites and various social media platforms.
OAKLAND COUNTY MOMS EDUCATION ARTICLES & RESOURCES
VIRTUAL DETROIT INSTITUTE OF ARTS
The DIA has an excellent educational resources page that provides examples of history, science, geography, and even math concepts through the art exhibits and challenges students to find examples of the subjects in their virtual galleries. Grade/age appropriate, self-guided scavenger hunt sheets are provided to print so children can identify things to look for. Then, kids can explore the website finding art which applies the subjects. Many resources come complete with lesson plans and other multimedia resources. It’s not “being there”, but it’s the next best thing at this time.
Search the art at the DIA website to explore. The DIA website has an impressive, almost daunting, website for you to explore their collections. A simple search like “oil painting” or “landscape” opens up thousands of works of art to check out. Invite your kids to look for examples from the scavenger hunt sheets, or simply browse and appreciate.
The DIA also invites you to tap into their YouTube channel to explore 10 years and hundreds of hours of online history with their exhibits, events, and curator talks and interviews.
Also, they have many Field Trip at Home Family Art projects to download for FREE. Check out this one about DIY Stabiles.
VIRTUAL DETROIT ZOO
During the Detoit Zoo shutdown over Coronavirus, the social media department is doing a fantastic job with the Detroit Zoo Facebook page. Staff is contantly updating their feed with live exhibit cams, educational tour videos of the animal exhibits, animal trivia, and interpative craft videos. The Zoo has always done a tremendous job promoting via social media, but with “social distancing” measures in place, they’ve really kicked up the effort. If only the Detroit Zoo website offered exhibit web cams…
The Detroit Zoo’s “Virtual Vitamin Z” campaign offers FREE educational lessons M-F at 11a and Wildlife Adventure stories every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 4p
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Again, nothing beats the actual experience – but I really appreciate the effort of entertaining and educating during this time. I can’t wait for my next visit to the Zoo and the DIA.
Don’t forget, if you feel the need to get out of the house and “social distance” in nature – your local Metroparks are offering FREE admission through April 2 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays (MORE INFO).
