Families and visitors are invited to learn about the American West in the Briscoe’s new education series, “Full STEAM Ahead”. Learners of all ages will work together and learn about the American West by engaging in hands-on, STEAM learning experiences. Sharing the American West through STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics – each of the activities ties back to the Briscoe’s art and artifacts, bringing the West to life in a new way. From transportation and weather to animals, astronomy and engineering, each program explores an aspect of life in the West to engage and inspire learning.
FREE with museum admission
(Children 12 and under are always FREE)
2023
FEBRUARY – BLACK COWBOYS & MUSIC AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
MARCH – TALL TALES & ARMADILLOS
APRIL- PAINTING INSPIRED POETRY
MAY- EXPLORING ART IN NATURE
JUNE- ADD LIGHTNING TO YOUR ART
JULY- TOOLS OF THE (CATTLE) TRADE
AUGUST- MIGRATION
SEPTEMBER- ART IN THE SKY
OCTOBER- HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRISCOE
NOVEMBER- YANAGUANA INDIAN ARTS FESTIVAL
DECEMBER- GINGERBREAD COWBOY
Saturday, February 18
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Families are invited to learn about the history of Black Cowboys in the West! After listening to a short presentation about Black Cowboys and their life on the cattle drives, families will be able to design and make their own musical instruments to play around the campfire!
Saturday, March 18
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Families are invited to celebrate Youth Art Month and learn about Tall Tales! After listening to a short presentation about Tall Tales, there will be a tall tale storytime. Families will then learn how to draw one of our story characters – an armadillo!
Sunday, April 2
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Celebrate Poetry Month and Fiesta at the Briscoe! After studying Kim Wiggins “Fiesta Day on the
Plaza”, 2003, Oil on canvas- a vibrant, activity rich painting, families will create a poem about their
favorite part of the painting. To bring those words to life, they will then create their own painting to
illustrate their poem.
Sunday, May 7
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
Families are invited to join the Briscoe to learn more about a form of art called “Mandala”. After
a short presentation, participants will go on a short nature walk in the McNutt Sculpture Garden where
we will search for and collect interesting nature objects. We will use those objects to create a “mandala”
and take a digital photograph of our work of art.
Sunday, June 4
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
Families are invited to learn about how electrical currents work. After a short presentation, families will create a small piece of art with a light feature. We will make the art glow by creating a paper circuit.
Sunday, July 2
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
Let’s learn more about the cattle industry. After a short presentation about simple machines cowboys used in their daily work, families will have the opportunity to create a simple machine using found and recyclable materials.
Sunday, August 6
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
Families are invited to join the Briscoe to learn more about the fall migration of hummingbirds. After a short presentation, families will have the opportunity to create a hummingbird feeder using found and recyclable materials.
Sunday, September 3
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
Join us to explore the night sky by studying the Kim Wiggins painting, Colonel Crockett’s Return to Cibolo Creek. After a short study of the painting, families will have the opportunity to create a bedroom Planetarium.
Sunday, October 8
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
NATIVE AMERICAN HOMES -STEAM ENGINEERING CHALLENGE
Sunday, November 5
Native Americans lived in a variety of homes. The type of home they built fit into their culture and lifestyle. While learning about these different homes, use materials provided to try to build a tipi, Longhouse, wigwam, or other types of Native American shelters.
Sunday, December 3
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m
Celebrate the holidays with story time at the Briscoe. Families will listen to the story of The Gingerbread Cowboy! After the story, you will have the opportunity to create a gingerbread cowboy of your own!
Help us bring the spirit of the West alive by becoming a Briscoe Partner!
Click here to become a member!
Governor Dolph Briscoe and his wife Janey envisioned a Museum that would preserve the stories and traditions of the American West.
