As part 2 of the University of Colorado, Denver collaboration with RAFT and HCoL, the exhibit moved to the Downtown Denver Lawrence Street Building of the UCD. Here, among professors and politicians we used the panels and the Hawkins' philosophy as a platform to provoke thoughts about our school systems.

When the exhibit opened at the Resource Area For Teaching (RAFT), we returned to the living room feeling of good solid conversation. Hosted in the luxurious surroundings of recycled materials and open-ended possibilities as far as the eye could see, we all found ourselves stimulated and excited to talk and plan and dream.

Teacher from Laramie, Wyoming joined us to mess about with natural materials that are native to their region. The excitement of collaboration took over and before their very eyes a village came to life and took over table after table of the classroom.

David and Frances talked about the power of eolithism - the use of resources, both physical and intellectual that are already in place. As a group, we discovered the natural resources and interests and relished in the joy of having time and space to explore them.

The exhibit's move to Wyoming marked the first time the exhibit left Colorado and the management of Hawkins Centers of Learning. We could not have asked for a more perfect host!

The vision of the University of Wyoming Biodiversity Institute is to, "foster the understanding, appreciation and conservation of biological diversity through innovative research, education, outreach, and by engaging a broad audience in the scientific process." It is housed in the beautiful Berry Center, a new Green Building which is home to cross-disciplinary studies including ecology, genetics, biology, philosophy, education, and art. The Center and Institute would surely hold a dear place in David's heart, following his own beliefs about the inherent integration of science and daily life.

On March 8th, the exhibit moved to the National Center for Atmospheric Resources (NCAR).

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) is a federally funded research and development center devoted to service, research and education in the atmospheric and related sciences. NCAR’s mission is to understand the behavior of the atmosphere and related physical, biological and social systems; to support, enhance and extend the capabilities of the university community and the broader scientific community – nationally and internationally; and to foster transfer of knowledge and technology for the betterment of life on Earth. The National Science Foundation is NCAR's primary sponsor, with significant additional support provided by other U.S. government agencies, other national governments and the private sector.

In addition to feeling a connection with the mission statement of NCAR, and being enamored with the beautiful building overlooking the entire Boulder Valley

In 1998, NCAR hosted Reggio Children’s exhibit The Hundred Languages of Children, and in 2008 they hosted the next edition of the exhibit The Wonder of Learning.  We were honored, therefore, to announce that NCAR would be hosting Cultivate the Scientist in Every Child: The Philosophy of Frances and David Hawkins.

 

It felt fitting to use this time to focus on the panel of the exhibit that highlighted the relationship between David Hawkins and Loris Malaguzzi. The two men shared a mutual admiration for each other’s work and referenced each other in building their philosophies. For more information about the meeting of these two great thinkers, read the chapter Meeting of Minds in Insights and Inspirations from Reggio Emilia.

From early conversations about the concept of the exhibit, we frequently returned to visit the idea of a living room.

Frances and David's living room held so much energy - it was a place to gather, a place for dialogue, a place where everyone - young, old, and from all backgrounds - had a voice. 

That was the idea we hoped to capture with the exhibit.

From the moment we entered the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History Biolounge we knew this was the proper home for the opening of the exhibit.

The space is filled with the settees and coffee tables you would find in a living room - it is a place designed to invite students in to study, relax, and socialize. Pat K., the museum's director told us about the changes the space had undergone - how, as a traditional exhibit space the room was chronically empty, whereas now, as the Biolounge, students are using every possible nook and cranny (even camping out on the floors). 

The exhibit nestled into that setting, offering spaces to chat and reflect on the first public appearance.