Learning Through the Summer As Feinstein Junior Scholars

The participates in the Feintstein Junior Scholars program. Each year, Mr. Alan Shawn Feinstein visits RI schools and meets with children to talk about doing good deeds and in return gives them a key to learning, also known as the Feinstein Junior Scholar cards.

These cards are so wonderful because they allow free, one-time admission to exciting places in and around the state. Over the school year my husband took some of the boys to in Fall River, accompanied by another family from who also had the Feinstein Junior Scholar cards.

They spent hours walking through the battleship and came home to tell me all about the fantastic time they had and how interesting the ship was with it's extremely narrow staircases.

A few weeks ago I took the boys to Mystic Aquarium. We had a phenomenal time, and the baby had a blast checking out all the creatures through the humongous walls of glass.

We have been planning to use our Feinstein Junior Scholar cards at the aquarium for a few months and decided that the recent sweltering heat offered a good excuse to go indoors for a while. Half of the exhibits were outside, but we were able to find a shady spot at each area.

The younger boys favorites were the penguins. The penguins were quite interactive. One penguin came right over to us treading water so to speak staying in one spot while he observed the baby who was standing full body up against the thick glass. He appeared to want to play with him. At the same time, my other son was swirling his hand around and around on the glass as the penguin was under water following his hand rotating his head around and around at the same quick speed. It was such a joy to watch them interact with one another.

Inside I loved checking out the poison dart frogs. I am partial to these amphibians and the colors were magnificent. The sting ray tank was unbelievably relaxing. We visited that tank the longest.

When we visited with the moray eel and the baracuda the boys and I got a really eerie feeling.  Just as in Finding Nemo the baracuda stealthily float about the tank.  Again the baby was full body up against the glass and the next thing I knew there were several baracuda facing him head on.  They didn't even look like they were moving but somehow they were getting closer and closer with their gaze fixed on my baby. Yikes! That's when we had to leave.

Sharks of course were a main attraction and I learned a few interesting facts about the species as a whole.  The children and I pet the shark too. Their skin was rougher than I imagined.

Outside there is a petting tank for the sting ray and I was amazed at how ultra smooth their skin is. They are so friendly that they swim by intentionally close for you to pet them. At one point there was one who poked his head right out of the water to say hello to my five-year-old.

We had such a great time at the aquarium and they really enjoyed going to the battleship too. There are many more places that can be visited with the Feinstein Junior Scholar cards. Each card also admits one adult accompanying the Junior Scholar card holder for free to the designated places listed on the back of the card.

With only three weeks left before school starts, take advantage of these cards to learn and have fun with your children. It's a real treat and an excellent way to see some of the family fun places in and around the state.