Sarasota Children’s Museum, a rapidly growing local nonprofit, is getting a new set of wheels thanks to an investment from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation. The investment will bring the museum’s innovative, hands-on education to families, children, and communities across the region.

The idea of a children’s museum came to Sarasota local Christina “CC” Fredericks while helping her 9-year-old twins with a school project. The kids had to come up with their ‘dream job’, and when they turned to their mom for inspiration, Fredericks easily told them her dream was to build a children’s museum. Established as a 501(c)3 less than a year ago, Fredericks’ dream is quickly becoming a reality.

“We have been in Sarasota for 20 years and have watched this community grow and evolve in incredible ways,” says Fredericks. “While Sarasota boasts arts, culture, philanthropy, and so much more, there’s a gap in accessible opportunities for kids to learn through STEAM in a holistic, interactive way, outside of the classroom.”

Fredericks knows all about STEAM: integrating science, technology, engineering, art, and math explorations into teaching and learning. A mom of four, ages 4-11, Fredericks has assembled a group of local leaders, many of whom are parents, and comprise the museum’s board of directors and subcommittees. Fredericks, an operations manager for 20 years at Sarasota-based Atlas Insurance, may be new to nonprofit work but has built a network of supporters who believe in her vision, including the Barancik Foundation.

“When we first connected with the Barancik team, I knew we were poised for an exceptional opportunity,” commented Fredericks. “I described our vision for a brick-and-mortar museum, but we both knew this community needed something sooner rather than later. This is when we really gave life to the idea of a museum without walls.”

Thanks to Barancik’s investment, Sarasota Children’s Museum is securing a state-of-the-art mobile museum offering high-quality, hands-on STEAM education. The 24-foot, fully solar-powered mobile museum is designed to meet children and families where they are, ensuring financial or logistical barriers don’t hinder access to quality learning experiences.

“While this is our first iteration of the museum, we know the future of Sarasota Children’s Museum is bright,” added Fredericks. “We have connected with several other nonprofits, schools, libraries, parks, county and city officials, to ensure we are meeting the community’s needs and going where children and families need us most.”

“Sarasota Children’s Museum has assembled a motivated team of strategic thinkers who are passionate about STEAM education,” said John Annis, Senior Vice President of Barancik Foundation. “Through multiple collaborations, they have tested, tweaked, and proven their idea works, and we are excited to partner with them as they grow.”

The mobile museum is expected to be completed by spring 2025, thanks to the Georgia-based trailer company and Entertainment Design students from Ringling College of Art and Design, who supported the mobile unit’s creative design through the College’s innovative professional industry experience program, INDEX.

Sarasota Children’s Museum will celebrate its first year of success and unveil its new logo, designed by Bella Race, a Ringling College Graphic Design student, during its first-anniversary celebration on Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Payne Park. The event is free and open to the public and will feature STEAM activities, vendors, food trucks, and more.