Now Accepting Applications! Click Here: Applications for the 2024-2025 School Year!

Email SEECinfo@si.edu with questions and to be added to our mailing list.

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The Smithsonian Early Explorer (SEE) program builds on 30 years of experience Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC) educators have in using museums and community resources to enrich the lives of young children and provide a positive foundation for life-long learning experiences.

Basic Information

• The Smithsonian Early Explorers (SEE) and is a program of the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (SEEC).
• SEE will begin on Monday, September 16, 2024 and end on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
• Classes are held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9:30 am to 11:30 am.
• Classes meet at the Wegmans Wonderplace at the National Museum of American and each class involves a museum visit.
• Children must be at least 18 months but not older than 36 months when entering the SEE Program.
• Classes include caregiver and child.

Curriculum

Each class will include play experiences and museum visits. Embedded in these experiences are opportunities for the children to work on important developmental skills that are essential to any early childhood classroom. Our approach also supports the child as an individual, encouraging their interests and curiosity. All this is done within the framework of community and museum visits. We believe these visits give young children strong concrete connections that enhance their learning. The content areas to which the children are exposed are as varied as the Smithsonian collections – science, technology, engineering, math, art, culture, and history.

Our program also focuses on the caretakers and hopes to build a community in which families feel supported. Through everyday interactions, conferences, and resources, our educators help caregivers better understand their child’s development and support them in being their child’s first teacher.

We ultimately hope to instill a love of learning and a sense of wonder in both the child and adult.

Enrollment & Tuition 

2024-2025 Tuition Rates

• Tuition is $6,840.00 ($760.00 monthly for 9 months) and $50.00 application fee.
• Smithsonian Employees and siblings that are concurrently enrolled receive a 20% discount.
• More information on Enrollment & Tuition.

To be placed on our mailing list or to inquire about the SEE program, please email seecinfo@si.edu.

The Learning Environment

Classes meet in Wegman’s Wonderplace at the National Museum of American History. Regular trips out of the classroom are integral to the SEE curriculum. Children learn about their world through frequent excursions beyond the classroom into the Smithsonian Institution, as well as into the greater community. Parents/Caregivers should plan on spending time in spaces outside of the classroom spaces and should dress their child accordingly.

2023-2024 Calendar

• SEE begins Monday, September 18, 2023 and concludes Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
• SEE meets on Monday & Tuesday (9:30am – 11:30am)
• SEE Closures:
  • Monday, October 9th
  • Monday, December 25th
  • Tuesday, December 26th
  • Monday, January 1st
  • Tuesday, January 2nd
  • Monday, January 15th
  • Monday, February 19th
  • Monday, April 1st
  • Monday, May 27th

Daily Schedule

Classes meet from 9:30 – 11:30 am. Children and caregivers gather in Wonderplace in the National Museum of American History and will then go on a community/museum visit. Classes say goodbye at the community/museum visit location

• Learning Centers: Children and caregivers will be able to explore Wonderplace and the learning materials. We encourage play, experimentation, and learning. This is a wonderful time to build community. Please engage with children and other caregivers.
• Morning Meeting: Everyone is invited to gather in a circle. We will read a book, sing songs, and talk about what we are going to explore for the day
• Museum Visit: We will leave Wonderplace for a community/museum visit and explore an object based on the topic we are learning about.

Caregiver Role

Parents or caregivers must participate in all aspects of the child’s experience and are required to participate in museum and community visits. Cell phone use is restricted to emergency calls and use as a camera.

Educators 

Lead Educator: Brianne Peck Bertuca

Brianne Peck Bertuca has been with SEEC since 2010, holding a variety of positions, from associate educator in a 3’s classroom to her current role as lead educator for in-person and virtual family programs. Brianne has worked in museum education since 2005, serving audiences of all ages from adults to our youngest learners. She began her career in museums at the Paul Revere House in Boston, MA, and has also worked at the Chicago History Museum. She holds a Master of Arts in History and Museum Studies from Tufts University. In her free time, Brianne loves to tackle house projects, spend time outdoors and share her passion for museums with her own three children, ages 10, 7 and 5.

Associate Educator: Margro Purple (Mondays)

Margro has been teaching young children in museums, schools, & nature centers since she first began volunteering at the Science Museum of Minnesota at age 12. Margro received her BA from the University of MN’s Department of Child Development, and her MA from the University of Maryland’s department of Education & Human Development. Her graduate studies focused on the importance of social & emotion development for children’s wellbeing in school & over the lifetime. Margro has blended her love of teaching young children with her passion for nature, outdoor education, science, music and art in a number of fun experiences – from teaching preschool music to bringing tadpole tanks to her local kindergarten. She is excited & honored to join the SEEC team and continue living her dream!

Associate Educator: Nicole Halperin (Tuesdays)

Nicole has been with the SEEC family since 2018 working with infants and toddlers. She is originally from Toronto, Canada and has also lived overseas. Now settled in the DC area, Nicole is pursuing a degree in Psychology, as well as her American citizenship! She is particularly interested in the neurobiology of learning and is passionate about learning at all ages. She is especially excited about fostering confidence in young children’s natural love of learning. Nicole adores working with children and being continually inspired by their curiosity. Nicole is an outdoor enthusiast and when not studying, she enjoys going on weekly hikes, cooking, and spending time with her family who also live in the area.

Children with Special Needs

The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center welcomes children with diverse needs and seeks to support their growth through personalized interactions and collaboration with parents and external educational experts.