Our Work

The Friends is very grateful to all of our donors and supporters for helping us raise more than $25 million to reimagine and rebuild the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo. These donations, along with funding support from the City of Palo Alto, helped make possible a museum and zoo that will offer a truly unique experience to children and families for generations to come. The Friends is committed to working with the City to make the JMZ as accessible and welcoming to all. To that end, we have several projects in the works, including supporting the JMZ to provide reduced-priced admission.

Access and Inclusion

The following Friends’ programs have promoted access and inclusion for many years:

Science Outreach Program

The Friends funds the JMZ’s Science Outreach Program in the Ravenswood City School District, East Palo Alto Charter School (EPACS), and Redwood City schools, providing students in these districts with  exceptional, engaging science programming, right in their classrooms. Thanks to the support of our donors, the Friends provides over 3,000 students with hands-on science lessons each year.

Science with a Twist

The Friends funds Science with a Twist, an engaging after-school science program taught by JMZ Educators in five Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula (BGCP) clubhouses across East Palo Alto, east Menlo Park, and Redwood City.

Super Family Sundays

The Friends funds Super Family Sundays at the JMZ, special appreciation days for families with children who have physical disabilities and learning differences. Designed and led by a team of expert educators, Super Family Sundays address the gap in quality science learning experiences for children with disabilities. These events offer families the chance to enjoy the JMZ in a tolerant and welcoming environment.

Affinity Events

The Friends hosts special events for local nonprofits and community organizations that support underserved children and/or children with special needs and their families to explore the JMZ. These no-cost events are customized to fit the needs of each group, offering enriching and unique experiences that foster learning and curiosity for children and their families.

*Please email info@friendsjmz.org for inquiries.

California Dinosaur Garden

The California Dinosaur Garden is an immersive experience of the Cretaceous period in California. The Friends completed a capital campaign to raise funds for this special exhibit.