Little Learners

Little Learners: Adventures in STEAM is an interactive preschool-aged (Ages 3 yrs to 6 yrs) program with lots of fun and hands-on activities! We will sharpen our science process skills as we experiment, read, explore, sing, and create! Learners will have time for structured weekly themed activities as well as time to explore our KidsPlace exhibit.

Dates and Times

Little Learners runs September to May, Wednesday mornings, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. in our KidsPlace Area. 

Please note, the rest of the science center will NOT be available for exploration after the conclusion of Little Learners at 11am on Wednesdays.

Other Details

Please enter through the 3rd Street entrance (This entrance can be found across the street from Strawberry Square).

Parents MUST stay with participants while in Whitaker Center!

Pricing

Members: $3 per child
Non-members: $10 per child 

Each child ticket includes admission for one accompanying adult.

If inquiring about complimentary admission with an ACCESS card, please contact michaelhaynes@centerwhitaker.org to discuss the registration process. 

Registration

Pre-registration is required. Registration will stay open until 10 am the day of the program.

This can be done in advance via the ticketing links below or by contacting the box office at 717-214-ARTS.

Register Here

March Themes

Brilliant Books

Let’s look at how Literacy and STEAM learning can go hand and hand this month as we celebrate Read Across America, and some of our Favorite childhood books and Authors!

Wednesday, March 5: Read Across America

Read Across America has been celebrated every March since 1998! Run by the National Educational Association, Read Across America’s Goal is to create and celebrate a nation of diverse readers. Let’s dive into literacy and learn how we can celebrate reading!

  • How do I handle a book?
  • What do Authors and Illustrators do?
  • What do letters look like? What sounds do they make?


Wednesday, March 12: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Across an ocean, over lots of huge bumpy mountains, across three hot deserts and one smaller ocean there lay the tiny town of Chewandswallow. You’ll never believe what their weatherman reports! Let’s explore Jodi Barrett’s fantastical story of food rain while connecting it with early math and literacy concepts. 

  • How can I represent numbers?
  • How can I match colors and shapes

Wednesday, March 19: A Very Hungry Caterpillar

In the light of the moon, a little egg lay on a leaf. What happens next? How will an egg turn into a beautiful butterfly? Come explore the science of life cycles while exercising both our fine and gross motor skills with activities inspired by Eric Carle’s beloved story.  

  • What is a Life cycle?
  • How can I show symmetry?

Wednesday, March 26: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

A told B, and B told C, Little Learners should come to the coconut tree! This classic, written by Bill Martin Jr & John Archambault and illustrated by Lois Elhert will come to life through the activities at Little Learners. We’ll be doing lots of Alphabet and coconut based Science, sensory and art! (Learners and parents with coconut allergies are encouraged to use caution when deciding to attend, we will be handling real coconuts during the program.)

  • What is inside a coconut?
  • How can I balance objects?
Register Here

Thank you to Penn National Insurance for sponsoring this program.

Penn National Insurance