From Indiana to Gunma: A Global Partnership in Family Learning
From Indiana to Gunma: A Global Partnership in Family Learning
A few years ago, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, along with the Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI), hosted a delegation from Gunma Prefecture, Japan, to explore opportunities for deeper economic ties with Indiana. Gunma, located near Tokyo, is a manufacturing hub—home to several Subaru plants in Ota City—and known for its mountainous landscapes, hot springs, and outdoor activities.
Given that Subaru of Indiana Automotive—the only Subaru plant outside Japan—is located in Lafayette, Indiana, it was a natural choice for the delegation to visit Lafayette and Purdue University.
But one stop on their itinerary came as a surprise—The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Given that Subaru of Indiana Automotive—the only Subaru plant outside Japan—is located in Lafayette, Indiana, it was a natural choice for the delegation to visit Lafayette and Purdue University.
But one stop on their itinerary came as a surprise—The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
Why a Children’s Museum?
We know what you’re thinking: A children’s museum? But with our team of paleontologists, scientists, educators, and child development experts—and our commitment to creating powerful learning experiences that spark joy, wonder, and curiosity—the organizers know that The Children’s Museum is a crown jewel of our community. Gunma’s Governor Yamamoto and his team quickly discovered that we have something pretty special here at 3000 North Meridian Street. And so began an incredible international relationship.
Formalizing a Friendship
In January 2024, our Vice President Monica Ramsey, Director of School Programs and Educational Resources Becky Wolfe, and Early Childhood Education Manager Elyse Handel visited Gunma to celebrate a formal collaboration agreement with the Gunma Museum of Natural History (GMNH) in Tomioka City. The agreement includes:
- Joint efforts in scientific research, exhibitions, and educational support
- Collaboration on educational outreach programs
- Fossil loans between the two museums
- Visits by GMNH staff to The Children’s Museum to observe programming and meet with staff
Create-A-Saurus Goes International
Elyse Handel kicked off the partnership by leading a workshop for GMNH staff, sharing child development theory, educational philosophy, and principles of object-based and family-based learning. She then introduced one of our fan-favorite early childhood programs: Create-A-Saurus: Discover, Imagine, and Sculpt Paleo Art.
The next day, GMNH staff watched Elyse lead a dozen local families through the program. Children and their grown-ups experienced hands-on, play-focused learning—touching, observing, and even practicing English. The response? Pure joy. Families loved it, and the grown-ups were just as engaged as the kids!
The next day, GMNH staff watched Elyse lead a dozen local families through the program. Children and their grown-ups experienced hands-on, play-focused learning—touching, observing, and even practicing English. The response? Pure joy. Families loved it, and the grown-ups were just as engaged as the kids!
Create-A-Saurus in Japan—One Year Later
A year later, Becky Wolfe returned to Gunma with Science Programs Manager Don Riefler. Building on Elyse’s foundation, they adapted our virtual STEM program Dino Traits into a new offering: Design-A-Saurus, tailored for Grades 3–5.
In this program, students don’t just create dinosaurs—they explain their choices:
In this program, students don’t just create dinosaurs—they explain their choices:
- What is it adapted to?
- What does it eat?
- How does it live?
Towards the end of the program, Don noticed that one of the children participating in the program was wearing a Montessori School of Greater Lafayett shirt. Intrigued, Don walked over to the family and asked where they got the shirt. They responded in English, “We lived in Lafayette for three years. We’ve been to your museum a bunch of times!” They pulled out a phone and showed Don and Becky photos that the family had taken at The Children’s Museum!
They loved their experience at The Children’s Museum so much that when they saw our logo for this program, they knew they needed to attend because it was something they loved so much from their time living in Indiana. And now they could experience it in Japan!
Today, GMNH hosts their own Create-A-Saurus programs several times a year!
Gunma Fossils on Display
As part of our partnership, we now have several fascinating specimens from GMNH that tell the story of their region:
- Acharax giga—a chemosynthetic giant awning clam fossil
- Trichopeltrarion—a male crab fossil with asymmetrical claws
- Syllomus aegyptiacu—a sea turtle cast
- Otodus megalodon—Megalodon shark tooth cast
- Scaldicetus—sperm whale jaw and tooth (a 3D print of the species holotype, similar to our Dracorex hogwartsia)
hese specimens are now on display in a new case outside Corteva Agriscience ScienceWorks on Level 4. Be sure to check them out on your next visit!
Looking Ahead
We’re thrilled about this ongoing partnership and excited to see what new and amazing things emerge from this groundbreaking international collaboration. Stay tuned—exciting things are on the horizon!
