VISION:
ACM envisions a community shaped by lifelong learners, who provide innovative leadership inspired by creativity and diverse perspectives.
MISSION:
To be a vibrant gathering place for all ages, where play inspires exploration, discovery, and problem solving.
IMPACT BY THE
NUMBERS
Visitors Welcomed Into Museum:
44,179
Museum In A Box: 1,206 Students Served
New Memberships: 577
Field Trips: 4,036 Students Served
Mobile Museum Trips: 190 Students Served
Birthday Parties Held: 211 with 6,523 in Attendance
From Now Through 2026 Akron Children’s Museum’s Strategic Plan Will Focus on:
Programming and Visitor Experience:
Enhance the Akron Children’s Museum visitor experience for the purpose of delighting and retaining members and visitors.
Work toward this goal will be a multi-faceted approach. The museum will develop a three year plan for exhibits to keep the areas fresh and engaging. In addition, the museum will also build upon diversified service offerings and expand value-based programming to encourage repeat visitors along with deepening our community partnerships. More standards will be put into place to manage records and information. The museum will also be creating and finalizing a plan to reach children in the 9-13 age demographic with an emphasis on physical, intellectual and social well-being
Financial Sustainability:
Achieve Akron Children’s Museum’s operational, sustainability and growth goals through earned income revenue sources and continued development efforts.
The museum will, during this time, hire a fund development professional to identify, manage and execute on opportunities. The museum will also create a fund development plan with key strategies and tactics to support operations and programmatic expansion as well as creating an endowment fund. Work will be done to continue to diversify and grow development efforts to support ongoing exhibit and program refreshing.
Branding and Marketing:
Establish and effectively communicate Akron Children’s Museum’s mission and vision through branding and marketing.
The Akron Children’s Museum will update the marketing plan provided by the University of Akron to align with our current operations and programming. The museum will make sure its board and staff are equipped with marketing and branding materials to expand their reach as ambassadors for ACM. In addition, the museum will host at least one event per year so individuals can come in and see how ACM can be integrated into their programming. Finally, the museum will conduct regular marketing committee meetings inclusive of staff representatives, board members and volunteer-base to identify plans and actions.
Board and Staff Development:
Ensure the Board and Staff have the capabilities and resources to help ACM thrive.
The museum will be focusing on defining the culture that the staff and board want to convey to support the success of Akron Children’s Museum. Work will be done to expand operating capacity and updating standard operating procedure materials. An assessment for staff will also be created and structures will be enhanced for staff communication. The museum will ensure the right mix of skills and capabilities within the Board to guide the organization for the future and ensure diversity in thought.
PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE
InventHERS
Field Trips
Akron Children’s Museum is not just a destination; it’s a dynamic learning environment where children can learn the way they know best– through PLAY! Our field trip experiences immerse children in engaging, hands-on activities centered around our four pillars: STEM, Health and Wellness, Arts and Culture, and Civic Engagement. In 2024, we introduced four exciting new Discovery Experiences: Lights and Shadows, Mindful Movers, Musical Masters, and My City. Each field trip is aligned with Ohio’s Learning Standards and designed to spark curiosity and inspire lifelong learning.
In spring 2024, Akron Children’s Museum hosted the InventHERS Workshop with support from Goodyear Tire & Rubber and the Women’s Endowment Fund. Designed to inspire middle school girls in STEM, the workshop guided participants through the engineering and design process, with mentorship from women engineers across Northeast Ohio and students from Cleveland State University. Participants created prototype exhibit designs to enhance the museum experience, fostering confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm for STEM careers.
Outreach
A Special Wish Foundation
Akron Children’s Museum is proud to be a Sparkles of Joy program provider which provides families exciting, immune-friendly experiences that allow the entire family to create positive, life-long memories. These experiences are perfect for kids who may not be cleared to travel for their Big Wish yet.
The Akron Children’s Museum is dedicated to reaching out to the community and providing accessible and engaging learning opportunities for children. By taking its exhibits and programs beyond the museum’s walls, the museum strives to inspire and empower children to explore, discover, and learn. The museum actively participates in community events and festivals to promote its mission and engage with the community. Through interactive exhibits and activities, the museum creates memorable experiences and spreads awareness about the importance of playbased learning. Our outreach team attended over 60 events in the community such as the Akron Music Festival, Sakura Festival, Black Family Wellness Fair, and Art and Tech Fusion Free Family Day at the Canton Art Museum, among many others.
Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
Eclipse Viewing
EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS
Akron Children’s Museum collaborated with Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens to host a solar eclipse viewing party on the grounds of the historic Manor House. Families enjoyed engaging educational activities, including a Solar System Storywalk, celestial arts and crafts, and NASA inspired science demonstrations. Educators and volunteers guided guests in using solar binoculars and telescopes to observe the sun throughout the stages of the eclipse, making it a memorable and enriching experience for all. This programming was made possible due in part to a generous grant from the Association of Science and Technology Centers (ASTC).
Great Lakes Science Center
Solar Eclipse Ambassador Program
Akron Children’s Museum was honored to be one of 30 organizations in Ohio designated as an official “Eclipse Ambassador” by the Great Lakes Science Center. Through this partnership, ACM received training, resources, and funding to deliver educational programming in preparation for the Great American Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024.
Kent State University
Gender Stereotypes in STEM
Learning
Akron Children’s Museum partnered with Kent State University and Ph.D. student Jeeyeon Chun, under the guidance of Dr. Katie Campana, on a research project studying how educators, parents, and female students shape gender stereotypes about STEM learning in informal environments. Conducted from summer 2023 to early 2024, the research included observations, interviews with children and educators, and a parent survey. Focused on children ages 7-10, the study explored how informal learning settings, like the museum, can promote creative literacy and address gender gaps in STEM education.
Summit Education Initiative
Collaborative Networks
As active members of SEI’s Kindergarten Readiness - Quality Early Learning Network and Early Literacy Network, the museum collaborates with community partners to share resources, implement data-driven strategies, and address key educational challenges. This partnership enhances the museum’s ability to create impactful programs aligned with SEI’s Cradle to Career Continuum, promoting learning and growth for children and families in the region.
APS College & Career Academies
Career Pathways Partner
Akron Children’s Museum collaborated with North High School to provide students with engaging educational experiences and career exploration opportunities. As a member of the North High College and Career Academies Advisory Board, the museum worked with other local organizations and APS to advise and support career readiness for middle and high school students. 10th grade students from NHS participated in a Career Shadowing Day where they visited the museum, observed education staff in action and even got to be “Play Facilitators” for the day. During the North High School
Career Expo, ACM staff connected with students in the Early Childhood Education pathway to discuss careers in museums.
Association of Children’s Museums
ACM to Present at Interactivity 2025
Akron Children’s Museum will present at the Association of Children’s Museums InterActivity Conference with a session titled “Juggling with Finesse.” The presentation will highlight strategies for managing diverse responsibilities and demands within museums, showcasing how organizations can effectively maximize limited time and resources to achieve meaningful impact.
The Association of Children’s Museums, the leading global organization dedicated to supporting and advocating for children’s museums, in collaboration with the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh (CMP), proudly announced its awardees for the MuseumLab for Museum Professionals (MLMP) 2024 cohort project. Five innovative projects crafted by children’s museum professionals were recognized for their exceptional creativity and planning. Among the honorees was the PlayGoh Travel Activity Set, created by Traci Buckner, Executive Director of the Akron Children’s Museum. Each selected project received a funding award of $2,000, designated to support the implementation of their initiatives at their respective museums.
Rigamajig ChangeX
Rigamajig Community of Practice
Akron Children’s Museum partnered with ChangeX and Rigamajig through a grant that brought the Rigamajig Basic Build Kit and Rigamajig Junior to the museum, empowering children to build, problem-solve, and create through open-ended play. In 2024, Akron Children’s Museum, launched a monthly “Community of Practice” with Rigamajig, connecting a network of museum educators to share insights and best practices for integrating loose parts play.
Ballet Excel Ohio
MUSEUM COLLABORATIONS
Girl Scouts in NorthEast Ohio came to the museum for play and a mini dance lesson to earn their Dancer Badge, then attended a performance of Snow White by Ballet Excel Ohio at the Civic Theater.
Minions at the Museum
In honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, April, the museum hosted some very special yellow and blue guests! 2 Minion mascots came to visit the museum with Summit County Children Services. Summit County Children Services also brought a table with fun activities and staff to answer questions. $1 off admission was given for guests who wore blue in attendance.
Health and Wellness Fair
In collaboration with Summit County Public Health and in celebration of April being Minority Health Month, the Akron Children’s Museum hosted a Health and Wellness Fair! Over 15 organizations came to the museum to offer information and hands-on activities for guests. The museum was proud to offer free admission to anyone who attended the fair.
Mindful Make and Move Days
Three days of extra programming in the museum filled with movements from Art Sparks, mindfulness activities, and meditative crafts to take home!
Polymer Palooza
2024 was the first year for Polymer Palooza, a free, family-friendly event designed to engage the community in the exciting world of polymers through hands-on experiments, interactive STEM activities, and live demonstrations. Hosted by the Greater Akron Chamber Polymer Industry Cluster and ConxusNEO, in partnership with Akron Children’s Museum. The event showcased how polymers impact everyday life and highlight career opportunities in this growing field. Families enjoyed science experiments, games, and educational exhibits while discovering Akron’s rich history and innovation in polymers.
Akron Marathon Kids Fun Run Evening in the Museum
The Akron Children’s Museum proudly partners with the Akron Marathon each year to enhance the Kids Fun Run experience. All participants are invited to enjoy FREE admission to the museum by simply presenting their race bib. The museum provides special hours on the evening of the race. Families are able to meet their runner at the finish line, then head to the museum for a fun and accessible adventure for all young runners.
Birthday Parties
Akron Children’s Museum won the best birthday party venue from The Official Community Choice Awards. During these parties, children are able to let loose, learn, and explore with friends while having big fun throughout the museum’s interactive exhibits. It’s no surprise the museum has been rated in akronlife.com’s Best of City Hall of Fame.
S.T.E.A.M. Team Saturdays
STEAM Team Saturdays at Akron Children’s Museum offer bi-weekly, hands-on programs led by museum educators or guest educators from the community, featuring activities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. In 2025, the program will expand to every weekend, adding Art and Financial Literacy themes to inspire creativity, problem-solving, and discovery while engaging diverse audiences and advancing the museum’s mission.
Essential Experiences
Akron Children’s Museum is proud to have completed its third year as an Essential Experience partner with the GAR Foundation and Akron Public Schools. In 2024, we welcomed over 1,300 kindergarten students to the museum for our inquiry-based field experience, Explore Galore with Monsters and More! More than 100 classrooms also received teacher kits with supplemental curriculum and materials aligned with Ohio’s Learning Standards, fostering continued learning in the classroom. S T E A M
TEAMSATURDAYS
Head Start Mobile Museum
Museum in a Box is a mobile exhibit program that delivers hands-on, interactive learning to Head Start classrooms in Summit County. Aligned with SEI’s Cradle to Career Continuum, it promotes kindergarten readiness with themed kits that inspire curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking, making learning both accessible and fun.
Akron Art Museum Collaboration
In collaboration with the Akron Art Museum, the Akron Children’s Museum created the “Art & Play” kits! Thanks to a generous grant from the ORR foundation, 500 Art & Play kits were designed, packed, and distributed to families in the North Hill neighborhood of Arkon. Each kit contains an Akron Children’s Museum monster puppet, air dry clay, sculpting accessories, and reusable sculpting tools.They also keep the play going by containing a family pass to the Akron Art Museum, a family pass to the Akron Children’s Museum and 4 free bus passes.
Soccer Shots
The Akron Children’s Museum is in its second round of hosting Soccer Shots, a children’s soccer program with a focus on character development. Whether your child is just starting off on their soccer journey or is looking for a challenge, Soccer Shots off ers programs for kids 2 to 5 years old with a focus on making a positive introduction to sports and activity while also making a lasting impact on kids and their families. It’s the reason why they are the #1 soccer program for kids in the United States and Canada and we are thankful to have this partnership.
Akron Zoo Collaboration
Akron Children’s Museum partnered with the Akron Zoo, thanks to generous funding from the ORR Foundation. Together, we created memorable experiences for families in our community through three engaging programs.
Wildlife Illuminated: A Vibrant Spring Fundraiser for the Zoo
Akron Children’s Museum provided an interactive and unique experience to the zoo’s grounds for their spring fundraiser. The featured attraction, a silent disco, offered families a unique way to connect with the event, with three themed music channels—kids’ songs, animal sounds, and a fun “Simon Says” game, titled Sully Says, designed specifically for the event by beloved local children’s musician Mr. Jeff.
Guests danced the night away, surrounded by the zoo’s incredible animals, while enjoying the joyful atmosphere. As a special touch, ACM distributed fun gift bags to participants, each containing a custom monster puppet and an Akron Children’s Museum keychain flashlight, sparking creativity and play long after the event ended.
This collaboration allowed ACM to enrich the experience of the Akron Zoo’s fundraiser while strengthening our commitment to providing innovative, family-focused programming in the community.
Mission Course and Member Swap
The Museum set up the Monster Mission Course at the Zoo 2-3 times a year. During these exciting, month-long installations of this indoor obstacle course, Zoo members can enjoy a special Buy One, Get One Free offer for Museum visits. Additionally, Museum members receive complimentary access to the Zoo during these special periods.
Backpack Adventure
Both the Akron Zoo and the Akron Children’s Museum are large supporters of Akron Public Schools. This year ACM continued its yearly tradition of participating in the Zoo’s Backpack Adventure: an experience for Akron Public School families to enjoy the Zoo, visit with many community initiatives scattered throughout the space, and receive a free backpack and school supplies. The Akron Children’s Museum was thrilled to bring back the highly requested Monster Mission Course to this event, as well as hand out some extra fun stickers and museum themed goodies.
Art and Play!
In collaboration with the Akron Art Museum, the Akron Children’s Museum created the “Art & Play” kits! Thanks to a generous grant from the ORR foundation, 500 Art & Play kits were designed, packed, and distributed to families in the North Hill neighborhood of Arkon. Each kit contained an Akron Children’s Museum monster puppet, air dry clay, sculpting accessories, and reusable sculpting tools. Each kit recipient was provided a family pass to the Akron Art Museum, a family pass to the Akron Children’s Museum and 4 free bus passes.
ATTENDANCE:
Grown Up Play Date
SPECIAL EVENTS
This fundraiser is a highly anticipated yearly favorite of ACM’s expanding community of supporters and a pivotal element in the nonprofit organization’s financial progress. Net proceeds from Grown Up Play Date benefit the museum’s All Access Kids’ Fund and Museums For All Fund. These funds allow ACM to provide low-income children with play-based learning experiences through fresh new exhibits and more than 110 educational programs annually as well as execute its Mobile Museum, reaching over 1,500 children in the past year.
All Aboard the Akron Express
This interactive, hands-on event features local experts and train enthusiasts exhibiting their model trains and sharing their knowledge! Visitors are able to view model train exhibits, take the controls of ACM’s own Akron Express, design a train car with Lego bricks, and little ones can even construct a wooden track of their own!
ATTENDANCE: 522
For Moms By Moms
This fun night was planned for the ladies and included a glass of champagne from the “Living” wall, Journal Design Studio, Clay Jewelry Creation Station, Cash Bar, DJ and Dancing, Chair Massage, and a relaxing Serenity Room—all tailored to provide the ladies with a well-deserved break and an opportunity to connect with other amazing moms.
ATTENDANCE:
51
ATTENDANCE: 251
Hands on Halloween
No fright, all delight! Hands on Halloween is a great opportunity to put your child’s favorite costume on and bring them to the Akron Children’s Museum to have a fun-filled day with good music, Spooky Science stations, a delicious candy station, face painting, pumpkin and cookie decorating, countless activities, and free-play throughout the museum.
Member November
A celebration of all the people who love Akron Children’s Museum the most! For 3 Thursday evenings throughout the month of November, the museum had free pizza, themed activities, and extra fun!
ATTENDANCE:
Hands on Holidays
Hands-On Holidays is our early December event to share in some winter cheer. Families are able to visit with characters from the North Pole among others and enjoy some performances. They also get to explore many stations of fun and learning and engage in STEM-based activities.
Make Believe Midnight
Party hats, dazzling decorations, colorful confetti, and the suspense of the ball drop! Why should kids have to miss out on all the fun of New Year’s Eve? Make Believe Midnight is a celebration just for kids! Bring your little one, and your big ones too, for a magical day where we’ll prepare the monsters and the museum for a marvelous midday celebration.
OUR BOARD
Executive Board Members
Phil Montgomery - President
Angie Rogers - Vice President
Susan Burnoski - Treasurer
Allyson Boyd - Secretary
Larry Young - Secretary
Bill Lowery, II - Immediate Past President
Ryan Hartschuh - Lifetime Trustee and Museum Co-Founder
Betsy Hartschuh- Lifetime Trustee and Museum Co-Founder
Benjamin Tegel - Lifetime Trustee
Board of Directors
Amber Genet Barkoukis - Embracing Futures
Stephanie Bencin - FirstEnergy Service Company
Allyson Boyd - Akron Zoo
Susan Burnoski - Apple Growth Partners
Betsy Hartschuh - Witschey, Witschey, and Firestone, Co., LPA
Ryan Hartschuh - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Wesley Lambert - Brouse McDowell
Bill Lowery II - eXp Realty
April Marx - FirstEnergy Service Company
Phil Montgomery - Finance and Budget, County of Summit
Lauren Osina - Malco Products, Inc.
Ciera Preer - Vapotherm
Trista Powers - Tri-C Cuyahoga Community College
Angelique Rogers - Pease CPAs
Kerri Stephen - Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Benjamin Tegel - Auxin Group Wealth Management
Derran Wimer - Wimer Consulting, LLC
Larry Young - Intelligent Workplace Services Consultant
Christine Yuhasz - Retired Community Volunteer & Fund
Development Consultant
OUR STAFF
Our Staff
Traci J Buckner - Executive Director
Tessa Tegel - Manager of Operations
Kat Dunlap - Manager of Education
Victoria Schmidt - Community Engagement and Volunteer Manager
Susan Lindeman - Birthday Party Coordinator
Paige Koenig - Visitor Experience Team Lead
Joy Edwards - Special Events Coordinator
Emily Carpenter - Assistant to the Executive Director
Education Team
Brock Sandrock
Andrea Carmer
Caleigh Gorcoff
Mary Ellen Nyszczy
Visitor Experience Team
Cambria Barkley
Jazaiah Curtis
Nica Delgado
Toni Harper
Gayle Montalto
Nina Robinson
Isabella Stoll
THE NUMBERS
INCOME
LOOKING AHEAD
Energy Quest
In 2025, Akron Children’s Museum will introduce an exciting new energy exhibit designed to engage children in hands-on learning about the principles of energy. Through interactive activities and displays, visitors will explore topics like energy sources, transformation, and conservation, inspiring curiosity and awareness about the role energy plays in our daily lives.
We
have some exciting things in the works!
Northside Marketplace
Akron Children’s Museum will be taking an exciting step in expanding our reach by opening a small retail space at Northside Marketplace. This initiative was designed to increase community engagement, showcase our hands-on learning experiences, and drive more visits to the museum. The space will showcase museum branded merchandise and provide information about our exhibits and programs. Some items come with an admission voucher and the space serves as a welcoming touchpoint to encourage families to visit the museum.
Financial Literacy
New in 2025, Financial Literacy takes center stage at Akron Children’s Museum! With support from Apple Growth Partners and Huntington Bank, ACM will host two additional STEAM Team Saturdays each month focused on math and financial literacy. Additionally, the museum is developing an exciting new exhibit to teach children about money, spending, saving, sharing, and other key financial literacy concepts.
Exhibit Update:
Canal Corner
Akron Children’s Museum will be taking an exciting step in expanding our reach by opening a small retail space at Northside Marketplace. This initiative was designed to increase community engagement, showcase our hands-on learning experiences, and drive more visits to the museum. The space will showcase museum branded merchandise and provide information about our exhibits and programs. Some items come with an admission voucher and the space serves as a welcoming touchpoint to encourage families to visit the museum.