Museums and School Group Chaperones: A New Future for an Old Role

Abstract

ABSTRACTChaperones play a key role in the experience that students have at museums. In most museums, these parents and caregivers are underutilized and underappreciated. This piece proposes a new approach to how chaperones might be catalysts for learning during museum visits. With the framing of a two-year grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services that resulted in a partnership with two school districts and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Museum learned that chaperones are essential to ensuring inquiry-driven education guides field trips.