Photo: Andrew Waits
Natural history museums in the 21st century - programming for the future while preserving the past
Co-conveners:
- Lisa White, University of California Museum of Paleontology, Berkeley, CA
- Caroline Strömberg, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Greg Wilson, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- Liz Nesbitt, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Short summary: The role of museums in geoscience continues to evolve. This session will bring together scientists and educators to highlight the importance of natural history museums in cutting-edge research, education and outreach to diverse audiences.
Rationale: The role of museums in geoscience continues to evolve as modern archiving and cataloging benefit from digitization, information sharing, and renewed public programming. Increasing numbers of digitized, online museum collections are supporting novel research directions. Although long serving as important and versatile venues for both formal and informal education, museums as learning hubs are also being reinvented along with shifting national standards for STEM education and innovative use of technology in collections and exhibits.
In this topical session, we seek to highlight how these advances are shaping the role that museums play in geosciences in the 21st century. Specifically, we want to bring together scientists and educators to discuss how museums can promote research, education and outreach to a wide range of audiences providing new avenues and opportunities for public engagement.
Invited speakers:
- Dena Smith, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA
- Warren Allmon, Paleontological Research Institution, Ithaca, NY
Sponsoring societies:
- Paleontological Society
- Geoscience Education Division
