For a child growing up in rural East Texas there are limited cultural and educational opportunities outside of the classroom. The amount of time and money it costs to travel to museums in metropolitan cities like Houston and Dallas can be overwhelming for a family, and with budget cuts looming, the likelihood that schools can continue to send students on field trips to distant towns is slim. The truth is, these museums and the educational discoveries they create are simply out of reach for many East Texas families.
The Naranjo Museum of Natural History aims to fill this void by not only preserving the past but by inspiring and educating the future.
In cities like Lufkin, Crockett and Nacogdoches, where a major museum is located more than two hours away, students are left without the opportunity to discover natural history through a hands-on approach. In Angelina and Nacogdoches County alone this amounts to more than 37,000 students from more than 75 schools.
The Naranjo Museum turns the problem of distance on its head – if children can’t travel to museums, we will bring the museum to them. A positive educational experience can change a child’s view of learning forever. For many students an alternative educational opportunity like visiting a museum may be what it takes to engage them in a lifetime of learning. With more than 56 exhibits for these children to explore and an on site classroom for schools to utilize, the Museum will serve as a critical educational resource and the perfect place for children to discover, learn and explore.
The problem of limited access clearly exists in East Texas and the Museum is proud to be a part of the solution. Please turn the page and learn how you can help.
