Always Remember to Play
Susan Leger Ferraro

Hundreds Turn Out for Imajine That, WGBH Ready to Learn Collaboration Celebration

September 19, 2015

Preschoolers, their parents and educators attended the event in early August to mark achievements of “Ready to Learn” initiative.

More than 200 people turned out for Imajine That’s Ready to Learn Collaboration Celebration event with public media producer WGBH on August 5 at Imajine That’s location at the Riverwalk, 354 Merrimack St. in Lawrence.

Imajine That’s staff of “Imajinators” were on hand at the event demonstrating new approaches they’ve learned to guide students using digital, educational games and apps for building early math, science and vocabulary skills, some of which are based on WGBH produced programming including “Curious George” and “Peep and the Big Wide World.” Characters from both programs were at the event greeting and interacting with guests.

WGBH and Imajine That have teamed up to help increase math, science and literacy skills in early learners in the Lawrence and Boston areas. Imajine That’s long-standing partnership with WGBH has allowed them to share the award-winning station’s STEM technology resources with their students, members and community

The event was the culmination of a two-year-long grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the PBS Ready to Learn Initiative, a program to address critical school readiness issues funded by the U.S. Department of Education and Congress.

“We were thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our Ready to Learn initiative with more than 200 guests including: members, friends and community members,” says  Susan Leger Ferraro, Imajine That’s founder, CEO and president. “It takes great partners such as WGBH and CPB to create a lasting sustainable impact for our children, families and communities. These new accessible digital teaching tools have made a meaningful difference for the young learners, in many cases serving as a bridge for those who struggle with social interaction and learning. Let’s keep this conversation of the importance of STEM and literacy at the forefront.”

 Several local dignitaries attended the event including: Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera, Senator Kathleen O’Connor Ives, Corporation for Public Broadcasting Director Pam Johnson, Ready to Learn CPB Project Manager Devon Stevens, CFSC Co-Director Maureen Pasek, Pixie’s CEO Cheryl Hajjar, United Teen Equality Center Indigo Department of Early Education and Care Family WGBH Director of Media Engagement Mary Haggerty, Lupoli Companies Marketing Manager Paula Doucette, Lupoli Companies VP of Real Estate Gerry-Lynn Darcy and Lawrence Public Schools Manager of Special Projects Mike Herschenfeld. Circles Health Care Executive Director Greg Croteau, Coordinator Cheryl Marks,
Imajine That is an interactive children’s museum, located at the Riverwalk in Lawrence, which features pop up programming in various public schools and community centers. The Imajine That Museum is a first of its kind family and child interactive play space where human potential has no boundaries. Imajine That’s “Imagination Stations” include a child-sized Whole Foods® grocery store, a HUGE dinosaur climbing structure, Technology iPad Station, Between the Lions® literacy area, Doctors Office play area and an arts and crafts area, just to name a few.

For more information and to see all Imajine That has to offer, visit them online at www.imajinethat.com.