Grant funds will create new STEAM space at museum

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has awarded a $100,000 grant to the San Bernardino County Museum Foundation to develop an innovative new STEAM space at the San Bernardino County Museum.

STEAM, which stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math, offers educational enrichment and teaches soft skills through art-inspired play.

“This interactive space, which combines innovation with honoring traditions and encourages play, will be a creative hub for children in the Inland Empire,” said Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. “By empowering youth to learn in this unique space, our community will inspire our future through education while preserving cultural traditions such as weaving.”

The new interactive play space will include an augmented reality sandbox, circuit bench, wind turbine maker station, Lego building station, an Everbright color wall and a weaving station.

The San Bernardino County Museum is located at 2024 Orange Tree Lane in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 (adult), $8 (military or senior), $7 (student), and $5 (children ages 6 to 12). Children five and under and museum members are free. Parking is free and the museum is accessible to persons with disabilities.