Elementary Reflections: Case Study of a Collaborative Museum/School Curatorial Project

The Gifted Specialist from the Florida State University Schools (K-12) and the Curator of Education from the Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts planned a year-long project in which FSUS gifted elementary students (second to fifth grade) curated a one-gallery exhibition, entitled Elementary Reflections, from the museum's permanent collection. This project weaved together several strands of practice and thinking: museum practicalities, philosophies and pedagogical concepts that currently undergird museum education programs, K-12 student learning in general (Common Core Standards), Frameworks of Gifted Education, and university level museum studies. As a case study, this project provides a model for other museum education programs. This museum/school collaboration provided a community service by creating real-world opportunity for the application of skills and knowledge for both elementary and university students. Elementary Reflections encouraged the development of new members of the museum audience who will become knowledgeable users of muse'ums as they become adults.