Healing through Play: North Dakota’s Gateway to Science Uses STEM to Help Children and Families Navigate Grief
Bismarck, ND – November 13th, 2025 – November is Children’s Grief Awareness Month, and North Dakota’s Gateway to Science (NDGTS) is joining children’s museums across the country in the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) Healing through Play initiative. This national effort highlights the power of play to support children and families as they navigate grief, loss, and healing.
“At North Dakota’s Gateway to Science, we want every child to feel seen, supported, and safe to explore,” said Emily Montgomery, Educator at NDGTS. “Play gives children space to express what they can’t always put into words. Through hands-on activities, we can help them connect with the world around them in ways that feel healing, inclusive, and empowering.”
Throughout November, NDGTS is offering special opportunities in the gallery and programs designed to support the Healing through Play initiative. A dedicated Healing through Play table features resources for caregivers on supporting young children through grief, along with STEM-based take-home activities developed by NDGTS educators. These include a packet of at-home activities that encourage emotional processing, a calm-down booklet, and a sensory sticker offering simple ways to take a “brain break.”
The theme of emotional exploration is also woven into Preschool Discovery Hour and other educational programs throughout the month.
“We never know what someone is going through when they walk through our doors,” said Alisha Kelim, Education Director at NDGTS. “By participating in Healing through Play, we’re helping create a space where families can learn, grow, and heal together through connection and play.”
For more information about the national Healing through Play initiative, visit https://childrensmuseums.org/grief.
About North Dakota’s Gateway to Science
North Dakota’s Gateway to Science is a hands-on science museum dedicated to inspiring curiosity and promoting lifelong learning for people of all ages. Through exhibits, educational programs, and special events, the museum strives to engage visitors in the wonders of science, technology, engineering, and math.