Red Dot #6 by Victoria Findlay Wolfe
STEAM Educational Program
The National Quilt Museum’s STEAM program connects geometry and quilting for interactive lessons that build STEM skills and appreciation for the arts.
Lesson plans for K-12, made with Murray State University’s Math and Statistics Department, use Victoria Findlay Wolfe’s Option Expedition quilts. The curriculum builds on geometric shapes in her quilts and meets Kentucky geometry standards.
The National Quilt Museum’s STEAM Program is available at no charge to students thanks to the generous support of Presenter Supporter HDR Foundation. Additional support is provided by Teaching Sponsor Paducah Power System.
Presenter Supporter
School groups receive free access to the museum gallery and classroom space to interact with the STEAM curriculum in-person. A remote “STEAM Trunk” curriculum experience is also available to ship to schools nationwide, if an in-person visit to the museum is not feasible.
The National Quilt Museum helps students of all ages learn about and appreciate quilting as a fine art and important aspect of national heritage, in addition to using the technical tools of science, mathematics and engineering to illustrate the ways these works of art are created. Lesson plans are kid-tested and teacher-approved for students of all grade levels. In 2025, over 4,000 students visited the museum.
“Math in ACTION! It’s the best way to describe the experience,” said Sherry Bertram, NBCT, District Instructional Coach for Paducah Public Schools. “Students saw math in quilts and applied classroom standards to real-world visuals. Their conversations used correct math terms. It was exciting, and I hope many students enjoy and learn from it.”
At the in-person STEAM experience, Becky Glasby, NQM’s Director of Learning and Engagement, explains what a quilt is, its cultural significance, and NQM’s connection to Paducah’s designation as a UNESCO Creative City as students are led on a tour of the museum’s current exhibits.
Kentucky Educators can apply for a Kentucky Art Miles grant, sponsored by the Kentucky Arts Council to fund transportation costs for the in-person experience. Schools can apply based on round-trip mileage and drivers to pay for up to two buses per trip.
Schools requesting the traveling “STEAM Trunk” will receive a curriculum teaching kit including:
- Lesson Plans Appropriate for K-12 Students
- Two Replica “Red Dot” quilts by artist Victoria Findlay Wolfe
- A quilt stand for displaying quilts in the classroom
- Wool felt shapes for students to create their own designs
- Dry erase laminated images of 8 Red Dot quilts for hands-on learning
- Disposable gloves for students and teachers to wear while examining the replica quilts.
The traveling curriculum and trunk shipping are provided to schools free of charge thanks to a generous contribution from HDR Foundation.
To reserve a STEAM program, educators should complete the registration form below. After your submission is reviewed and approved, you will receive a pre-visit kit with the full lesson plan and suggestions for maximizing your visit to The National Quilt Museum or remote learning experience.
Educators should allow one hour and 45 minutes for the in-person STEAM program and museum visit. The remote STEAM Trunk will be made available to schools for up to three days of instruction. For questions about the STEAM program, email Laura Grimes or call (270) 442-8856 ext. 218.
Complete and submit this form to request a STEAM Reservation.
STEAM Educational Program Reservations
Teaching Sponsor
View sample grade-level lesson plans below.
