School programming is central to how museums deliver on their educational missions. With kids back in the classroom, how does virtual school programming fit into our ongoing plans?

Join Christina Sydorko from the Oil Museum of Canada, Karen Taylor from the Canadian Canoe Museum, and Michael Furdyk from Connected North for a conversation about the questions you need to consider when deciding whether and how to create your own virtual school programs. Geared specifically to small and rural museums, the discussion will start with “why” and take you through the practicalities and promising practices that make virtual school programming successful and sustainable.

This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5zUHmgLzSheyPuMo44Q1Lw

Speakers

Christina Sydorko, Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site

Christina is a dedicated educator who strives to create exciting and informative educational experiences. She has an Honour’s Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Education from Windsor University with subject specialization in History and Geography. Christina spent 15 years teaching in the Lambton Kent District School Board before moving to be the full time Educational Programs Coordinator at the Oil Museum of Canada, National Historic Site in 2017. She has spearheaded the creation of the Travelling Trunks educational kits and virtual education programs at the museum with a focus on fact based education. Christina is also the recipient of the 2021 Award of Excellence in Programming from the Ontario Museum Association for virtual programs and the Lambton County Innovation Award for 2021. Christina hopes to encourage a new generation of young people to find the wonder and exciting opportunities in the physical world around them.

Michael Furdyk, TakingITGlobal

Michael Furdyk is the Co-founder of TakingITGlobal (www.tigweb.org), which provides social innovation and global education programs that empower youth to understand and act on local and global challenges. Connected North serves over 120 schools in remote communities, working to improve student engagement through interactive learning experiences. #RisingYouth has awarded more than 6,000 grants for youth-led community impact. Michael was named by Contribute Magazine as one of 10 Tech Revolutionaries Redefining the Power and Face of Philanthropy and one of Teen People's "Twenty Teens that will Change the World". He has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show, presented at TED, and has keynoted over 100 events across sectors, sharing his social media expertise and insights on youth engagement and education to audiences in over 30 countries. He completed his Master of Design (MDes) in Inclusive Design at OCAD University and has served as Adjunct Professor at Long Island University.

Karen Taylor, The Canadian Canoe Museum

Karen Taylor joined the staff of The Canadian Canoe Museum in 2007 as Education Animator, bringing a diverse teaching background to her delivery of the Museum’s award-winning experiential education programs. Since 2012, she has worked as the Education Manager, and currently serves as Director of Programs. She has been developing and delivering the Museum’s virtual school programs since 2016, when the Microsoft Educator Network invited the Canoe Museum to be its first Canadian museum provider. Karen is delighted that studying History and Anthropology at McGill turned out to be a practical choice after all.