RIT's MST in art education program partners with Strong Museum of Play

Rochester Institute of Technology’s visual arts-all grades (MST) program has partnered with The Strong National Museum of Play to provide graduate students with an immersive, field-based learning experience around creativity. 

RIT artist-teachers are sharing their artistic expertise and engaging with visiting families in the museum’s interactive makerspace, the Play Lab. It’s an area that encourages guests to invent, construct and create while exploring different materials and tools. 

‌

Lauren Ramich

RIT MST candidates are spending part of the fall semester engaging with Strong National Museum of Play visitors.

The practicum collaboration is part of the MST program curriculum’s focus on placing students in real-world teaching environments. 

Students support the Play Lab’s mission of hands-on activities and themed programming by assisting participants and staff in facilitating the lab’s maker experiences. Working in pairs, MST candidates are serving as guest artists in the Play Lab from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Wednesday throughout the fall semester.

The partnership is a unique opportunity for students in the MST program to engage in teaching and learning beyond the traditional classroom setting. It’s an enriching opportunity made possible by RIT’s proximity to, and existing relationship with, The Strong Museum of Play — one of the nation’s leading informal learning environments.  

“Opportunities like this allow our students to connect classroom learning with authentic experiences, while sharing their passion for art with children and families,” said Senior Lecturer Lauren Ramich, graduate director of the MST program. “We believe that learning happens through doing, just as children learn through play, and this partnership beautifully reflects that belief. It is a meaningful experience for our candidates and a wonderful benefit for museum visitors.”