Curious Minds at The Rooms

Since 2009, Curious Minds at The Rooms (formerly Open Minds) has delivered transformative learning experiences to students across Newfoundland and Labrador. Rooted in creativity, innovation, and deep reflection, this immersive, site-based program brings together students, parents, teachers, community experts, and The Rooms staff to explore meaningful connections between history, art, culture, and science.

By engaging directly with artifacts, natural history specimens, artworks, and historical documents, students embark on a hands-on learning journey that sparks curiosity and fosters lifelong learning.

Each year, demand for the program exceeds capacity. To date, more than 8,000 students have participated, with every class offering fresh perspectives that enrich the experience for all involved.

Curious Minds at The Rooms provides teachers with the opportunity to move their classroom to The Rooms for an entire week.  This innovative program is based on the Open Minds education concept, which emphasizes the value of allowing students to slow down and become immersed in new and engaging learning environments.

Students participate in a curriculum based; interdisciplinary program developed by their teacher in consultation with the Curious Minds Coordinator.  Each week is unique and is based on the needs of the teachers and students.

Learners connect with content experts and collections at The Rooms through intellectually rich, hands-on experiences. Interaction with historic artifacts, natural history specimens, archival records and art stimulate inquiry and critical thinking in meaningful and authentic ways.

Observation, writing and drawing are key elements to the Curious Minds concept and each participating student and teacher is provided with their own journal to use before, during and after their time at The Rooms.  Prior to their week at the site, teachers and students are given the opportunity to participate in workshops on object-based learning, writing and sketching.

“I loved going to The Rooms. I really felt like I belonged.” - Student

 

“We feel it is a fantastic addition to classroom curriculum.” - Teachers

 

“It was a wonderful enriching week of interactive learning that she will benefit from forever.” - Parent  

 

“An awesome gesture from Chevron to invest in our youth, thank you! Thanks to The Rooms too!” - Parent