Creative Discovery Museum

This week, Creative Discovery Museum proudly hosted the first-ever Turquoise Trail, an accessible and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating event that brought Halloween magic to children who often face unique challenges in experiencing this holiday’s traditional festivities. Inspired by the Teal Pumpkin Project's focus on allergy awareness, the Turquoise Trail aimed to break down barriers, creating a welcoming experience tailored to children with mobility, developmental, and sensory differences. Many families shared how meaningful the experience was, including Liberty and her children, Zoey and Finn. For 8-year-old Zoey, who has triumphed over three heart surgeries and relies on a feeding tube and medical equipment to get around, Turquoise Trail was her first-ever trick-or-treating experience. She was thrilled to navigate the well-lit, flat path independently, collecting a bag full of fun trinkets. Her mom, Liberty, was deeply moved, noting, “It was just amazing for her to attend an event where she wasn’t just included—she was wanted.” Turquoise Trail was truly special and we plan to bring it back as an annual event. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/efX5dxMz

Congratulations to Denee, our Employee of the Month! Denee joined CDM just over a year ago after finishing grad school, seeking to move closer to her hometown and use her skills in data and evaluation to support families and communities. As our Evaluations Specialist, Denee works, often behind the scenes, to ensure our spaces and programs meet the needs of our community. CDM has been the perfect fit for her, and we are incredibly lucky to have her on our team! Denee loves that her role allows her to collaborate with every department in the museum, using those partnerships to enhance her work. Fun fact: she even created a few pieces in the Reimagine exhibit! When observing in the museum, Denee takes time to fully immerse herself in the guest experience, appreciating the magic of CDM right alongside our visitors. One of her proudest achievements is completing the final evaluations of Little Farmhouse and Unearthed after their renovations. She and her team conducted hundreds of observations and interviews with families to assess how the exhibits are being used and identify areas for improvement. Her findings were shared with the broader informal learning community, allowing other museums to benefit as well. “Of course, I want every visitor to believe, as I do, that play is learning—at all ages—but honestly, I know we've succeeded when visitors simply have fun in our space.” Denee’s work ensures that CDM reflects the needs and experiences of the communities we serve, and we couldn’t do it nearly as well without her data-driven insights. Please join us in congratulating Denee on her well-deserved recognition! Denee Stewart Freeman

We’re thrilled to announce that Creative Discovery Museum has been voted Best Museum and Best Place to Take Kids for the second year in a row! 🏆 Thank you to our wonderful community for recognizing the impact we strive to make through hands-on learning, creativity, and exploration. This honor is a testament to our incredible team’s dedication and the support of families who make CDM their favorite destination for children’s play and education. Thank you to @chattanoogatimesfreepress for this honor! We look forward to another year of inspiring young minds and making Chattanooga the best place for kids to grow! 🌟 #BestMuseum #CreativeDiscoveryMuseum #ChildhoodLearning #Chattanooga

We're thrilled to announce that Hamilton County kindergartners will once again experience the magic of Creative Discovery Museum—for free! Thanks to our partnership, thousands of kindergarteners will receive one-time passes for them and three guests to visit anytime during the school year. This incredible opportunity opens the door for young learners to explore, create, and play in an environment designed to inspire curiosity and foster a love of learning. Weston Wamp Tim Sears We’re so excited to share this experience with the next generation! #EducationMatters #EarlyLearning #CommunityPartnership #ChildhoodExploration #Chattanooga

John joined the Creative Discovery Museum team with a passion for creativity and a deep belief in the importance of play and exploration—values that resonate with our mission every day. As someone who's spent years teaching and planning curriculum, John brings his expertise to our team in a unique way. He works behind the scenes, planning professional development and courses, ensuring our staff is supported and well-prepared to deliver the best experience to our guests. While he doesn’t often interact with museum visitors directly, John takes pride in being a "backstage cheerleader," caring for his fellow staff so they can care for the families and children who visit. He describes himself as the "grandfather/uncle/counselor" to his colleagues, always ready to listen, support, and uplift others—a role he’s come to value deeply. John’s love for creativity drew him to CDM, a place where he believes innovation, imagination, and fun thrive, even in a world where these things are often pushed out of traditional education. "Disney may call itself the happiest place on earth, but CDM is the happiest place in Chattanooga," John says, and we couldn’t agree more. Thank you, John, for embodying the spirit of CDM and for making sure both our guests and staff feel valued and supported. We are so lucky to have you on our team! 🌟👏 #EmployeeOfTheMonth #CDM #Teamwork #creativityinlearning

We’re thrilled to announce ReImagine: A Cardboard Wonderland, our next temporary exhibit at Creative Discovery Museum. This immersive experience, designed entirely from locally donated cardboard, transforms ordinary materials into a world of creativity and exploration. Conceptualized by our very own Jessalyn Beasley, ReImagine is more than just an exhibit—it’s a celebration of accessible art, environmental stewardship, and the power of imagination. As guests journey through The Wild and The Town, they’ll engage in hands-on activities that highlight the importance of sustainability and community. Visit us this fall to experience the magic firsthand and see how creativity can inspire positive change! Opening September 21 with Member Morning Sneak Peak⁠ ⁠ ReImagine was conceptualized by Jessalyn Beasley, with development and design by CDM’s Exhibit and Maintenance team and support from CDM staff. ReImagine is made possible by generous donations from Chattanooga Box Company and International Paper.

Celebrating Hannah Spangler: Employee of the Month! We are thrilled to announce that Hannah Spangler has been named our Employee of the Month! 🎉 Hannah joined the Creative Discovery Museum family as an Outreach Educator in January 2022, after relocating to Chattanooga. With a background as a high school math and physics teacher, Hannah sought a change that allowed her to step outside the bounds of traditional education. CDM offered her just that – a space to grow, be challenged, and find fulfillment in unexpected ways. This summer, Hannah took on the adventure of working our summer camps. Though it was a demanding experience, the joy of creating unforgettable memories for each child made every sticky, gooey moment worth it. Her dedication to making learning fun and engaging has left a lasting impact on the kids she interacts with. At CDM, we pride ourselves on fostering collaboration and a supportive environment, and Hannah has embraced these values wholeheartedly. She cherishes the community within the Museum, where growth and learning opportunities for staff are plentiful and where everyone feels welcomed. Hannah’s passion for education shines through in her work as an Outreach Educator. She hopes that every student she meets leaves with a newfound love for learning. “As an outreach educator, I regularly interact with students, and I hope that through the lessons I teach, I’m showing them that learning is fun and can bring them joy,” says Hannah. Thank you, Hannah, for your dedication and the joy you bring to our community. We are so grateful for all you do! 🌟

Join us tomorrow for the opening ceremony of our week-long event, CDM Games! Hear our Director of Marketing, Mackenzie Steele, share all the exciting details. https://lnkd.in/e4JHhM9z

🌟 Exciting news! 🌟 We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Food City / KVAT Foods Inc. as summer camp sponsor! This collaboration enhances our summer camps, offering hands-on learning in arts and sciences for children of all ages and abilities. Donyel Johnson, our Vice President of Advancement, shares, "Through Food City's generous support, our camps can continue to provide unique and engaging experiences for children in our community and beyond. We look forward to growing this partnership with more opportunities in the future." Food City’s new Chattanooga location on Broad Street opened June 12, bringing top-quality products and services to South Chattanooga. Their commitment to supporting local organizations like CDM solidifies Food City’s commitment to the Chattanooga community. Kevin Stafford, Food City's Vice President of Marketing, says, "We are excited to partner with CDM summer camps to help provide a great experience for children across the region." Our summer camps will wrap on August 2, but stay tuned for new fall, winter, and spring break camps coming soon! For more info, visit cdmfun.org/camps. #CDMSummerCamps #FoodCityPartnership #HandsOnLearning #CommunitySupport #ExploreInnovateCreatePlay

🌟 Meet our Employee of the Month: Lizzie Cheatham! 🌟 We are thrilled to celebrate Elizabeth "Lizzie" Cheatham! Lizzie’s fun and enthusiastic attitude sets her apart and her co-workers love that she reminds them every morning that there is always something to celebrate. Did you know that today is National Hotdog Day? Her dedication and passion for experiential education have made a significant impact at CDM. "I am passionate about reaching children through hands-on learning. Experiential education is critical, especially for children who thrive outside the traditional classroom setting. Working at CDM, I get to facilitate these connections and make learning fun." Lizzie was once leading a STEM workshop when a child answered a question brilliantly. An adult later told her that they were surprised by this because he usually had a hard time understanding and paying attention to lessons. By experiencing STEM in a hands on environment, he was able to thrive. Her belief in our shared mission to make Chattanooga the best place to grow up motivates her every day in the museum. "I hope visitors leave CDM with the inspiration to stay lifelong learners. Whether they're inspired in ArtSpace, curious in STEM Zone, or wowed on a field trip, I hope experiences at CDM lead to curiosity and exploration in the real world in a real way." Thank you, Lizzie, for your incredible dedication and passion for making learning fun and impactful! 🌟