When the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire opened its S.T.E.A.M. Innovation Lab a decade ago on March 18, 2016, the space was designed to support and engage New Hampshire’s future innovators. Now, ten years later, the museum has welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors of all ages into the Lab for hands-on experiments and challenges that have expanded their ideas of what Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math education can look like to young children.
In 2016 “STEAM” education was a big topic of discussion, and organizations like the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire were well situated to speak with authority about its importance. “At that point,” shared Jane Bard, CMNH President “CMNH already had a well-established 33-year background in engaging kids in STEAM concepts!” The museum has always offered daily experiments and included math, art, and science in many different classes, camps, and workshops. “STEAM was already a part of our museum DNA,” said Bard. “But what we lacked was a dedicated space where we could work to expand and innovate how we presented those topics to young children.” The idea for the STEAM Innovation Lab came to life.
In the past ten years, the STEAM Innovation Lab, developed as a “classroom of the future,” has hosted NH educators for science and play-based learning workshops; featured roaming robots during the museum’s annual NH Maker Fests; invited university students to offer visitors unique insight into their research; welcomed artisans to show off their craft; and engaged countless curious kids exploring hands-on engineering challenges. “Looking back on all we’ve offered over the years, it’s so satisfying to think of the impact this one space has made on a generation of visitors,” said Bard. “The STEAM Innovation Lab embodies the Museum’s vision of inspiring all to become the next generation of innovators and creative thinkers.”
Support for STEAM education from the Lab’s original sponsors reflects the positive impact CMNH’s efforts have had on early childhood education in New Hampshire. Granite State Development Corporation just announced a donation of $10,000 to support STEAM programs in 2026. “Granite State Development Corporation is proud to continue supporting the STEAM Innovation Lab and investing in programs that inspire innovation helping to shape the next generation for future opportunities,” said Steve Aldrich, President. “With continued engagement from businesses like Granite State Development Corp., we’re confident our educators can continue to bring our visitors unique STEAM fun for decades to come,” said Monique Deforge, CMNH Director of Development and Community Engagement.