Science Museum is Much More Than a Museum
By Walter Witschey
Where can you hear the Richmond Symphony’s Kicked Back Classics, see the Richmond Ballet’s Minds in Motion, meet “Gadget,” the Richmond SPCA’s canine mascot, greet Richmond’s new fire chief, Robert Creecy, and enjoy fractal art in quilts?
The Science Museum of Virginia!
Where can you ride a Segway, walk on the moon, see inside a cow’s eye, catch the latest Hubble images, hook into Virginia’s Science Standards of Learning, ride Richmond’s only real streetcar, or learn to use a telescope?
The Science Museum of Virginia!
Who produces IMAX films, dozens of science articles each year, and powerful science drama? Where can you “fill up” an electric car on solar-produced electricity? Find the planets, solve a Patricia Cornwell murder mystery, meet SpaceShipOne pilot astronaut Mike Melvill, enjoy basketball-playing rats, or serve up the illusion of your children’s heads on a platter?
The Science Museum of Virginia!
Such an eclectic inventory of opportunity is the Science Museum tradition. The Science Museum is a true creative community partner while pursuing its science learning mission. The museum has a strong sense of place, as it continues to act as steward of John Russell Pope’s neo-classical design for a monumental train station.
A Reliable Community Partner
In fact, in Richmond (and in other Virginia cities with Science Museum facilities) the Science Museum has proven a reliable partner and positive force for community development.
Its steady efforts to expand and develop its property around the Broad Street Station have led to the demolition of an abandoned filling station, removal of an ABC store from its campus, and the arrival on campus of another creative partner — the Children’s Museum of Richmond. A unique outdoor science center designed to attract new visitors is taking shape as the Science Discovery Park. With the future arrival of the Virginia Aviation Museum, the campus will gain added excitement and critical mass.
Improvements in our property at 2500 West Broad Street have led to new residential development, including at the William Byrd, and at Hermitage and Leigh Streets. Museum District renovations have transformed the Near West End of our city.
The Science Museum fills four roles.
As a center of lifelong science learning through exciting exhibits and interesting programs, the Science Museum is a key part of our science education infrastructure. Because of its strong adult programs and exhibits (in addition to fun children’s activities), more than half of the Science Museum’s audience is older than 18.
As a creative collaborator with the regional formal education systems, the Science Museum provides group-visit experiences for preschool through grade 12 students and teachers. It also provides team teaching in the classroom. That has helped sharply improve pass rates on science SOLs in the City of Richmond’s third and fifth grades. The Science Museum collaborates with VCU to teach courses in science for teachers, and hosts the popular Mini-Medical School series with VCU.
Improving Quality of Life
As a community development partner, the Science Museum directly influences quality of life through neighborhood improvement, by preserving a large historic site, by serving as a community gathering place, by serving as an advocate for new businesses, and by mentoring young and old alike through programs and volunteer opportunities. (The Science Museum has more than 1,100 volunteers who work with our full-time staff of 80.) Two weeks ago the museum inaugurated a creative new Library Pass program with the nine Richmond public libraries and the mayor’s office.
As an economic engine, the Science Museum has an impact of $25 million per year on the local economy, is a tourist attraction for overnight stays and conventioneers, and is a trustworthy partner to channel corporate and philanthropic funds directly into important education projects. The museum sends a powerful statement to employers that the Richmond region values science education as well as the high-tech, well-paid jobs relying on such an education.
Yesterday, today, and for the next two days, the Science Museum is host to more than 1,400 delegates to the 2005 Annual Conference of the Association of Science-Technology Centers. Our region can take pride that their conference honors one of the world’s great science centers.