Lives of Museum Junkies Second Edition

Marilynne Eichinger, "Lives of Museum Junkies: Second Edition"
English | ISBN: 0999892223 | 2020 | 376 pages | EPUB | 2 MB
The second edition of "Lives of Museum Junkies" brings stories about the science center movement that started in the 1960s through to 2020. The writing was simplified to make it easier to understand and more pleasant to read. Though museum directors faced many financial and philosophical struggles during the early years, none were as bad as the chaos created by COVID-19. Budgets were cut in half and staff let go while attendance dwindled and in person programs closed. Projections made during the time were that one-third of all museums would close. Covid occurred during a period in America when science mocked by many skeptics. By not paying attention to health professionals, the country suffered. "Lives of Museum Junkies" is especially relevant in the 21st century. The reasons for developing hands-on science centers hold true as our country moves into the Fourth Industrial revolution where artificial intelligence and Biotechnology lead the way to the future. How we educate children will be critical to the country’s ability to cope and overcome challenges placed in its way. Increasingly, that means training minds to do sophisticated work, being technically adept, and knowing how to communicate to a broad spectrum of people outside their local community. Showing the relationship between mind, body, and spirit is a challenge science centers faced since their inception. They do it through exhibits and programs that attract people of all ages and backgrounds. COVID is but a bump in the road for these dynamic institutions that know how to make learning fun.Editorial Reviews"What the book does so effectively is not only discuss the appeal and behind-the-scenes activity of interactive science museums but also place them in a larger political and educational context. The best passages of the book focus on the relationship between interactive learning and a more traditional public school education. What Mrs. Eichinger suggests is that these two educational systems can compliment each other, with interactive learning picking up where underfunded and overburdened public schools fall short. Here, Mrs. Eichinger is able to draw from her wealth of experience, and it’s in these passages that her informal, anecdotal style works best, relating personal insights that engage the reader in much the same way she’s been delighting museum goers for decades." – Manhattan Book Review"Picture a museum in your mind. Did you imagine exhibits, roped-off bits and bobs from history meant to inspire, amaze, and educate, but always out of reach? Even today, this idea of the museum as the look-but-don’t-touch institution persists. But there is another way. For decades, hands-on education has sought to break down the barriers between exhibits and visitors, allowing interested minds of all ages the opportunity to interact with exhibits, to learn firsthand by experiencing scientific principles in action. And Lives of Museum Junkies chronicles the long journey behind bringing science and museums to your fingertips.Marilynne Eichinger uses her story – the story of how the Impression 5 Science Center in Lansing, Michigan, was brought to life – as the framework upon which to mount an encouraging, inspiring tale of dedicated people forging their own path and establishing something new and exciting for their community. This is the story of hard-working, generous, driven people starting from scratch and building something unique, valuable, and hands-on. From marketing and sharing one’s brand to expanding an idea on a national and international scale, the stories of Eichinger’s work at Impression 5 and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry encompass all aspects of community building, starting a business, and shifting people’s perceptions of just what can be accomplished when creativity meets commitment. San Francisco Book Review2016 Great Midwest Book Festival Awards Winner