[Music] my name is Richard and I love dinosaurs
my name is Richard and I love dinosaurs
my name is Richard and I love dinosaurs [Music]
[Music]
[Music] growing up in western Pennsylvania I was
growing up in western Pennsylvania I was
growing up in western Pennsylvania I was the son of a coal miner and from time to
the son of a coal miner and from time to
the son of a coal miner and from time to time he would bring home with him
time he would bring home with him
time he would bring home with him little little black pieces that that he
little little black pieces that that he
little little black pieces that that he had recovered from the mine and what was
had recovered from the mine and what was
had recovered from the mine and what was special to me
special to me
special to me was that within these rocks were windows
was that within these rocks were windows
was that within these rocks were windows into two Lost Worlds ancient worlds the
into two Lost Worlds ancient worlds the
into two Lost Worlds ancient worlds the the texture of an ancient tree bark or a
the texture of an ancient tree bark or a
the texture of an ancient tree bark or a delicate fern frond so perfectly
delicate fern frond so perfectly
delicate fern frond so perfectly preserved every little detail you could
preserved every little detail you could
preserved every little detail you could see and and as a child seeing these
see and and as a child seeing these
see and and as a child seeing these pieces it fascinated me the world was
pieces it fascinated me the world was
pieces it fascinated me the world was not always like it is today there was
not always like it is today there was
not always like it is today there was much more to this world than I know this
much more to this world than I know this
much more to this world than I know this world is bigger than me and my parents
world is bigger than me and my parents
world is bigger than me and my parents were very supportive of this interest as
were very supportive of this interest as
were very supportive of this interest as you can see they were very patient with
you can see they were very patient with
you can see they were very patient with this interest as you can imagine and we
this interest as you can imagine and we
this interest as you can imagine and we would take a trip one time of year twice
would take a trip one time of year twice
would take a trip one time of year twice a year three times a year into
a year three times a year into
a year three times a year into Pittsburgh to the Carnegie Museum of
Pittsburgh to the Carnegie Museum of
Pittsburgh to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History which had one of the
Natural History which had one of the
Natural History which had one of the great and still has one of the great
great and still has one of the great
great and still has one of the great classic dinosaur halls in the world all
classic dinosaur halls in the world all
classic dinosaur halls in the world all of the the famous dinosaurs that many of
of the the famous dinosaurs that many of
of the the famous dinosaurs that many of us grew up with were there’s Allosaurus
us grew up with were there’s Allosaurus
us grew up with were there’s Allosaurus Stegosaurus Diplodocus Apatosaurus and
Stegosaurus Diplodocus Apatosaurus and
Stegosaurus Diplodocus Apatosaurus and then staring straight at you kind of
then staring straight at you kind of
then staring straight at you kind of daring you to enter the space at the end
daring you to enter the space at the end
daring you to enter the space at the end of the gallery was terrain asaurus rex
of the gallery was terrain asaurus rex
of the gallery was terrain asaurus rex and I was just fascinated again the
and I was just fascinated again the
and I was just fascinated again the concept that the earth has changed over
concept that the earth has changed over
concept that the earth has changed over time and there were worlds that I didn’t
time and there were worlds that I didn’t
time and there were worlds that I didn’t know and I didn’t understand really
know and I didn’t understand really
know and I didn’t understand really fascinated me and so I would come home
fascinated me and so I would come home
fascinated me and so I would come home from those trips I would sit at my desk
from those trips I would sit at my desk
from those trips I would sit at my desk and I would draw the animals that I just
and I would draw the animals that I just
and I would draw the animals that I just saw sometimes spelling their names
saw sometimes spelling their names
saw sometimes spelling their names correctly sometimes not in one instance
correctly sometimes not in one instance
correctly sometimes not in one instance here and this continued this interest
here and this continued this interest
here and this continued this interest never went away I kept going back to
never went away I kept going back to
never went away I kept going back to Pittsburgh I kept going to this dinosaur
Pittsburgh I kept going to this dinosaur
Pittsburgh I kept going to this dinosaur hall I kept just standing in the shadows
hall I kept just standing in the shadows
hall I kept just standing in the shadows of these great skeletons and marveling
of these great skeletons and marveling
of these great skeletons and marveling up at them and as time went on I would
up at them and as time went on I would
up at them and as time went on I would come back and I would still draw the
come back and I would still draw the
come back and I would still draw the dinosaurs
dinosaurs
dinosaurs but then I would turn the page and I
but then I would turn the page and I
but then I would turn the page and I would draw a floor plan of what my
would draw a floor plan of what my
would draw a floor plan of what my dinosaur Hall would look like if I was
dinosaur Hall would look like if I was
dinosaur Hall would look like if I was in charge of a museum how would I layout
in charge of a museum how would I layout
in charge of a museum how would I layout these skeletons and I became fascinating
these skeletons and I became fascinating
these skeletons and I became fascinating about communicating that science and
about communicating that science and
about communicating that science and perhaps some of it was selfish I wanted
perhaps some of it was selfish I wanted
perhaps some of it was selfish I wanted to share in the joy of of watching
to share in the joy of of watching
to share in the joy of of watching children walk in and just being amazed
children walk in and just being amazed
children walk in and just being amazed by these spaces and these fossils and
by these spaces and these fossils and
by these spaces and these fossils and and I wanted to be a part of that and so
and I wanted to be a part of that and so
and I wanted to be a part of that and so it came time to go off to college and in
it came time to go off to college and in
it came time to go off to college and in graduate school and I pursued
graduate school and I pursued
graduate school and I pursued paleontology as a scientific pursuit but
paleontology as a scientific pursuit but
paleontology as a scientific pursuit but it always had that interest in science
it always had that interest in science
it always had that interest in science education as well and a unique
education as well and a unique
education as well and a unique opportunity came up as I was in graduate
opportunity came up as I was in graduate
opportunity came up as I was in graduate school and that’s where I made the
school and that’s where I made the
school and that’s where I made the decision do I continue a path of
decision do I continue a path of
decision do I continue a path of scientific research or do I take a
scientific research or do I take a
scientific research or do I take a slight turn and focus on science
slight turn and focus on science
slight turn and focus on science education and that’s when I decided to
education and that’s when I decided to
education and that’s when I decided to make that turn and focus on science
make that turn and focus on science
make that turn and focus on science education and and bringing the nature of
education and and bringing the nature of
education and and bringing the nature of science the results of science the
science the results of science the
science the results of science the wonder of science to the non scientist
wonder of science to the non scientist
wonder of science to the non scientist so here I am today at the Yale Peabody
so here I am today at the Yale Peabody
so here I am today at the Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History very fortunate
Museum of Natural History very fortunate
Museum of Natural History very fortunate to be at such an amazing institution
to be at such an amazing institution
to be at such an amazing institution 2016 represents the Peabody’s one
2016 represents the Peabody’s one
2016 represents the Peabody’s one hundred and fiftieth anniversary and
hundred and fiftieth anniversary and
hundred and fiftieth anniversary and there it’s my pleasure to oversee the
there it’s my pleasure to oversee the
there it’s my pleasure to oversee the education programs to see the exhibition
education programs to see the exhibition
education programs to see the exhibition programs of the Museum so what do we do
programs of the Museum so what do we do
programs of the Museum so what do we do within those walls well within those
within those walls well within those
within those walls well within those walls within those brick walls of the
walls within those brick walls of the
walls within those brick walls of the museum we tell the 4.5 billion year
museum we tell the 4.5 billion year
museum we tell the 4.5 billion year history of the earth and its life
history of the earth and its life
history of the earth and its life four-and-a-half billion it’s easy to say
four-and-a-half billion it’s easy to say
four-and-a-half billion it’s easy to say we can all say that but but I’ve not yet
we can all say that but but I’ve not yet
we can all say that but but I’ve not yet a human mind that can actually truly
a human mind that can actually truly
a human mind that can actually truly comprehend and appreciate just how long
comprehend and appreciate just how long
comprehend and appreciate just how long that history is and how deep our history
that history is and how deep our history
that history is and how deep our history is on this planet so how do we tell
is on this planet so how do we tell
is on this planet so how do we tell those stories what’s the basis for those
those stories what’s the basis for those
those stories what’s the basis for those stories well the basis are the
stories well the basis are the
stories well the basis are the collections
collections
collections the museum and the collections of all
the museum and the collections of all
the museum and the collections of all Natural History Museum’s at the Peabody
Natural History Museum’s at the Peabody
Natural History Museum’s at the Peabody we have 13 million objects in our
we have 13 million objects in our
we have 13 million objects in our collection a twosie anthropology to
collection a twosie anthropology to
collection a twosie anthropology to zoology and many many disciplines in
zoology and many many disciplines in
zoology and many many disciplines in between and so why why why do we have 13
between and so why why why do we have 13
between and so why why why do we have 13 million specimens and growing well if
million specimens and growing well if
million specimens and growing well if you have one of something if you have a
you have one of something if you have a
you have one of something if you have a beetle or you have a bird or you have a
beetle or you have a bird or you have a
beetle or you have a bird or you have a dinosaur bone it has information it
dinosaur bone it has information it
dinosaur bone it has information it tells you something but to have 50
tells you something but to have 50
tells you something but to have 50 beetles or 500 beetles or 5000 beetles
beetles or 500 beetles or 5000 beetles
beetles or 500 beetles or 5000 beetles you can begin to start seeing patterns
you can begin to start seeing patterns
you can begin to start seeing patterns across time and space and it’s those
across time and space and it’s those
across time and space and it’s those patterns that lead to our understanding
patterns that lead to our understanding
patterns that lead to our understanding of the natural world and so really the
of the natural world and so really the
of the natural world and so really the collections of Natural History are truly
collections of Natural History are truly
collections of Natural History are truly the foundation for how we perceive and
the foundation for how we perceive and
the foundation for how we perceive and how we understand the world ancient
how we understand the world ancient
how we understand the world ancient fossils tell us about those bygone areas
fossils tell us about those bygone areas
fossils tell us about those bygone areas that that so fascinated me as a kid they
that that so fascinated me as a kid they
that that so fascinated me as a kid they also show us how life is connected how
also show us how life is connected how
also show us how life is connected how life has evolved and changed over time
life has evolved and changed over time
life has evolved and changed over time and how organisms are related to each
and how organisms are related to each
and how organisms are related to each other
other
other these collections tell us about
these collections tell us about
these collections tell us about ourselves
ourselves
ourselves they tell us about human culture us as a
they tell us about human culture us as a
they tell us about human culture us as a species and how we understand one
species and how we understand one
species and how we understand one another and they tell us about identity
another and they tell us about identity
another and they tell us about identity and then they can also tell us about the
and then they can also tell us about the
and then they can also tell us about the world today looking at our collections
world today looking at our collections
world today looking at our collections looking at plant collections we see that
looking at plant collections we see that
looking at plant collections we see that leafing out times occur more quickly
leafing out times occur more quickly
leafing out times occur more quickly within the year now than they did even a
within the year now than they did even a
within the year now than they did even a hundred years ago and so when we look at
hundred years ago and so when we look at
hundred years ago and so when we look at biodiversity loss and we look at climate
biodiversity loss and we look at climate
biodiversity loss and we look at climate change that’s happening today and will
change that’s happening today and will
change that’s happening today and will affect us as a species we look to
affect us as a species we look to
affect us as a species we look to Natural History collections and so
Natural History collections and so
Natural History collections and so Natural History collections these 13
Natural History collections these 13
Natural History collections these 13 million objects that we have just in the
million objects that we have just in the
million objects that we have just in the Peabody each one of those tells the
Peabody each one of those tells the
Peabody each one of those tells the story but individually each one of those
story but individually each one of those
story but individually each one of those is also a puzzle piece and together
is also a puzzle piece and together
is also a puzzle piece and together those puzzle pieces
those puzzle pieces
those puzzle pieces paint the larger picture they show us
paint the larger picture they show us
paint the larger picture they show us the larger picture of the earth and its
the larger picture of the earth and its
the larger picture of the earth and its life and the history of that life and
life and the history of that life and
life and the history of that life and how we as a species fit into that
how we as a species fit into that
how we as a species fit into that history and we tell those stories in a
history and we tell those stories in a
history and we tell those stories in a number of ways the written word the
number of ways the written word the
number of ways the written word the spoken word but primarily within museums
spoken word but primarily within museums
spoken word but primarily within museums we use exhibitions and so exhibitions
we use exhibitions and so exhibitions
we use exhibitions and so exhibitions are essentially storytelling using
are essentially storytelling using
are essentially storytelling using objects it’s three-dimensional
objects it’s three-dimensional
objects it’s three-dimensional storytelling so how do we do that how do
storytelling so how do we do that how do
storytelling so how do we do that how do we tell stories with with these objects
we tell stories with with these objects
we tell stories with with these objects it’s challenging we do know that people
it’s challenging we do know that people
it’s challenging we do know that people do learn in museums which is great
do learn in museums which is great
do learn in museums which is great however we also know that people do not
however we also know that people do not
however we also know that people do not come to museums to learn museums our
come to museums to learn museums our
come to museums to learn museums our leisure based social venues and so
leisure based social venues and so
leisure based social venues and so whenever we start a new project we start
whenever we start a new project we start
whenever we start a new project we start a new exhibition or we start discussing
a new exhibition or we start discussing
a new exhibition or we start discussing a new program and say I’m speaking to a
a new program and say I’m speaking to a
a new program and say I’m speaking to a researcher or a curator who who hasn’t
researcher or a curator who who hasn’t
researcher or a curator who who hasn’t worked on an exhibit before I always
worked on an exhibit before I always
worked on an exhibit before I always always make sure that I let them know
always make sure that I let them know
always make sure that I let them know this this is not your museum these are
this this is not your museum these are
this this is not your museum these are not your visitors and this is not you
not your visitors and this is not you
not your visitors and this is not you and I’m really sorry about that
and I’m really sorry about that
and I’m really sorry about that [Music]
[Music]
[Music] so then how do we how do we bridge that
so then how do we how do we bridge that
so then how do we how do we bridge that gap how do we take science the results
gap how do we take science the results
gap how do we take science the results of science and how do we present that in
of science and how do we present that in
of science and how do we present that in a three-dimensional setting to our
a three-dimensional setting to our
a three-dimensional setting to our visitors
well there’s there are three personal
well there’s there are three personal golden rules that I constantly remind
golden rules that I constantly remind
golden rules that I constantly remind myself about number one visitors are
myself about number one visitors are
myself about number one visitors are people too now what do I mean by that of
people too now what do I mean by that of
people too now what do I mean by that of course they’re people well they’re
course they’re people well they’re
course they’re people well they’re people with their own personal
people with their own personal
people with their own personal background with their own story their
background with their own story their
background with their own story their own history their own motivation our
own history their own motivation our
own history their own motivation our visitors are not just empty buckets
visitors are not just empty buckets
visitors are not just empty buckets waiting to be filled with information
waiting to be filled with information
waiting to be filled with information they’re bringing their life experiences
they’re bringing their life experiences
they’re bringing their life experiences and their motivations into the museum
and their motivations into the museum
and their motivations into the museum and so it’s very important that we
and so it’s very important that we
and so it’s very important that we recognize that this is a this is the
recognize that this is a this is the
recognize that this is a this is the introductory panel of an exhibition that
introductory panel of an exhibition that
introductory panel of an exhibition that was at the American Museum of Natural
was at the American Museum of Natural
was at the American Museum of Natural History down in New York and I
History down in New York and I
History down in New York and I absolutely adored this panel so you walk
absolutely adored this panel so you walk
absolutely adored this panel so you walk into the exhibition and this panel is
into the exhibition and this panel is
into the exhibition and this panel is what you see the exhibition was called
what you see the exhibition was called
what you see the exhibition was called creatures of light and that first
creatures of light and that first
creatures of light and that first sentence have you ever held a glowing
sentence have you ever held a glowing
sentence have you ever held a glowing Firefly in your hands how many here have
Firefly in your hands how many here have
Firefly in your hands how many here have done that and so within five seconds of
done that and so within five seconds of
done that and so within five seconds of you entering this exhibition the
you entering this exhibition the
you entering this exhibition the exhibition is not something foreign to
exhibition is not something foreign to
exhibition is not something foreign to you it is now your story as well and
you it is now your story as well and
you it is now your story as well and that so successfully hooks the visitor
that so successfully hooks the visitor
that so successfully hooks the visitor into a scientific concept that’s defined
into a scientific concept that’s defined
into a scientific concept that’s defined at the very end bioluminescence that
at the very end bioluminescence that
at the very end bioluminescence that walking into the museum they knew of
walking into the museum they knew of
walking into the museum they knew of fireflies they might or might not have
fireflies they might or might not have
fireflies they might or might not have known the term bioluminescence but this
known the term bioluminescence but this
known the term bioluminescence but this exhibition is about that and again by
exhibition is about that and again by
exhibition is about that and again by opening with that question that very
opening with that question that very
opening with that question that very very good question
very good question
very good question that many people can relate to it makes
that many people can relate to it makes
that many people can relate to it makes the exhibition more personal and it
the exhibition more personal and it
the exhibition more personal and it makes the story of the exhibition also
makes the story of the exhibition also
makes the story of the exhibition also the visitors story and so visitors are
the visitors story and so visitors are
the visitors story and so visitors are people too and so
people too and so
people too and so we want to connect with people’s
we want to connect with people’s
we want to connect with people’s histories their experiences and their
histories their experiences and their
histories their experiences and their motivation this is another example I
motivation this is another example I
motivation this is another example I love dinosaurs as I said this is the
love dinosaurs as I said this is the
love dinosaurs as I said this is the Field Museum in Chicago and there’s a
Field Museum in Chicago and there’s a
Field Museum in Chicago and there’s a exhibition label on the tail of these
exhibition label on the tail of these
exhibition label on the tail of these long necked dinosaurs like brontosaurus
long necked dinosaurs like brontosaurus
long necked dinosaurs like brontosaurus Diplodocus Apatosaurus and within the
Diplodocus Apatosaurus and within the
Diplodocus Apatosaurus and within the label it explains how some of these
label it explains how some of these
label it explains how some of these dinosaurs had up to 80 individual
dinosaurs had up to 80 individual
dinosaurs had up to 80 individual vertebrae in their tail 80 backbone
vertebrae in their tail 80 backbone
vertebrae in their tail 80 backbone making up their tail and that’s a fun
making up their tail and that’s a fun
making up their tail and that’s a fun little nugget of information but very
little nugget of information but very
little nugget of information but very wisely the very next sentence is you
wisely the very next sentence is you
wisely the very next sentence is you have 33 total in your entire body so it
have 33 total in your entire body so it
have 33 total in your entire body so it makes it relatable it takes this
makes it relatable it takes this
makes it relatable it takes this enormous beast that lived 150 million
enormous beast that lived 150 million
enormous beast that lived 150 million years ago and it explains its Anatomy
years ago and it explains its Anatomy
years ago and it explains its Anatomy but it makes it relatable because that
but it makes it relatable because that
but it makes it relatable because that it connects it to to your own body
number 2 less is more this is a gallery
number 2 less is more this is a gallery on human evolution a very well
on human evolution a very well
on human evolution a very well researched gallery a very well-meaning
researched gallery a very well-meaning
researched gallery a very well-meaning gallery but as you can see there is a
gallery but as you can see there is a
gallery but as you can see there is a lot of information and we know that
lot of information and we know that
lot of information and we know that within a museum setting visitors the
within a museum setting visitors the
within a museum setting visitors the more investment they perceive in a
more investment they perceive in a
more investment they perceive in a display the less they actually invest in
display the less they actually invest in
display the less they actually invest in the display it becomes a wallpaper for
the display it becomes a wallpaper for
the display it becomes a wallpaper for lack of a better word by contrast here’s
lack of a better word by contrast here’s
lack of a better word by contrast here’s a wonderful label in Los Angeles at the
a wonderful label in Los Angeles at the
a wonderful label in Los Angeles at the Natural History Museum and this is a
Natural History Museum and this is a
Natural History Museum and this is a huge a huge wall opposite one of these
huge a huge wall opposite one of these
huge a huge wall opposite one of these long necked dinosaurs you can see they
long necked dinosaurs you can see they
long necked dinosaurs you can see they take a very potentially complicated
take a very potentially complicated
take a very potentially complicated topic defining what dinosaurs are
topic defining what dinosaurs are
topic defining what dinosaurs are introducing you to dinosaurs and it’s
introducing you to dinosaurs and it’s
introducing you to dinosaurs and it’s not a wall full of text it’s a single
not a wall full of text it’s a single
not a wall full of text it’s a single short paragraph and so based on what we
short paragraph and so based on what we
short paragraph and so based on what we know of how visitors move through
know of how visitors move through
know of how visitors move through museums again as social venues a visitor
museums again as social venues a visitor
museums again as social venues a visitor we’ll learn more from this than they
we’ll learn more from this than they
we’ll learn more from this than they will from that there’s more information
will from that there’s more information
will from that there’s more information here but they will learn more from that
here but they will learn more from that
here but they will learn more from that paring it down even further with with
paring it down even further with with
paring it down even further with with less is more this is a little flap a
less is more this is a little flap a
less is more this is a little flap a little panel on a hinge in New Mexico at
little panel on a hinge in New Mexico at
little panel on a hinge in New Mexico at the Museum there he visitor you walk up
the Museum there he visitor you walk up
the Museum there he visitor you walk up to it you grab the little round knob and
to it you grab the little round knob and
to it you grab the little round knob and you pick it up and that’s what you see
you pick it up and that’s what you see
you pick it up and that’s what you see so it shows two thing number one it
so it shows two thing number one it
so it shows two thing number one it shows the importance of a – but number
shows the importance of a – but number
shows the importance of a – but number two it tells visitors in a very
two it tells visitors in a very
two it tells visitors in a very memorable simple way that birds are
memorable simple way that birds are
memorable simple way that birds are dinosaurs birds are living dinosaurs and
dinosaurs birds are living dinosaurs and
dinosaurs birds are living dinosaurs and again it’s the simplicity of it
again it’s the simplicity of it
again it’s the simplicity of it less is more that makes it so very very
less is more that makes it so very very
less is more that makes it so very very effective and memorable now a common
effective and memorable now a common
effective and memorable now a common criticism of this approach is look
criticism of this approach is look
criticism of this approach is look you’re dumbing it down
you’re dumbing it down
you’re dumbing it down you’re dumbing it down you’re dumbing it
you’re dumbing it down you’re dumbing it
you’re dumbing it down you’re dumbing it down it’s a term you hear a lot and as
down it’s a term you hear a lot and as
down it’s a term you hear a lot and as much as I adore that previous label I
much as I adore that previous label I
much as I adore that previous label I dislike the term dumbing down I think
dislike the term dumbing down I think
dislike the term dumbing down I think that if you are a scientist or anyone
that if you are a scientist or anyone
that if you are a scientist or anyone and you say that you’re dumbing down the
and you say that you’re dumbing down the
and you say that you’re dumbing down the content for the average visitor number
content for the average visitor number
content for the average visitor number one it’s disrespectful to the visitor
one it’s disrespectful to the visitor
one it’s disrespectful to the visitor and number two it actually reflects more
and number two it actually reflects more
and number two it actually reflects more on yourself and your inability to
on yourself and your inability to
on yourself and your inability to communicate what you do we don’t dumb
communicate what you do we don’t dumb
communicate what you do we don’t dumb down information and museums if you do
down information and museums if you do
down information and museums if you do it correctly what we do is we
it correctly what we do is we
it correctly what we do is we communicate effectively and to have a
communicate effectively and to have a
communicate effectively and to have a perception that you must dumb down your
perception that you must dumb down your
perception that you must dumb down your content in order to reach your visitors
content in order to reach your visitors
content in order to reach your visitors is very very naive and an unfortunate
is very very naive and an unfortunate
is very very naive and an unfortunate number three objects I started this talk
number three objects I started this talk
number three objects I started this talk with objects the objects that I had as a
with objects the objects that I had as a
with objects the objects that I had as a child the objects that we have in museum
child the objects that we have in museum
child the objects that we have in museum collections and the third golden rule of
collections and the third golden rule of
collections and the third golden rule of mine is that objects rule we all most of
mine is that objects rule we all most of
mine is that objects rule we all most of us probably
us probably
us probably right now are carrying a phone in which
right now are carrying a phone in which
right now are carrying a phone in which all the information we could ever want
all the information we could ever want
all the information we could ever want and then some is right there information
and then some is right there information
and then some is right there information is available everywhere
is available everywhere
is available everywhere but the objects of museums the objects
but the objects of museums the objects
but the objects of museums the objects of our Earth’s history the objects of us
of our Earth’s history the objects of us
of our Earth’s history the objects of us and our cultures those are truly unique
and our cultures those are truly unique
and our cultures those are truly unique and truly special and so you should
and truly special and so you should
and truly special and so you should always lead with the object this is a
always lead with the object this is a
always lead with the object this is a gallery that we recently opened that
gallery that we recently opened that
gallery that we recently opened that highlights some of our collections from
highlights some of our collections from
highlights some of our collections from our anthropology division and when you
our anthropology division and when you
our anthropology division and when you scan that that photograph what you see
scan that that photograph what you see
scan that that photograph what you see are the objects if you look closely on
are the objects if you look closely on
are the objects if you look closely on the ground you can and on the walls you
the ground you can and on the walls you
the ground you can and on the walls you can see some of the text and the labels
can see some of the text and the labels
can see some of the text and the labels that explain those objects but first and
that explain those objects but first and
that explain those objects but first and foremost what’s pulling you into the
foremost what’s pulling you into the
foremost what’s pulling you into the space what’s igniting your curiosity are
space what’s igniting your curiosity are
space what’s igniting your curiosity are those objects I guarantee you a kid
those objects I guarantee you a kid
those objects I guarantee you a kid would never have that reaction reading a
would never have that reaction reading a
would never have that reaction reading a label but to see a nearly 4,000 pound
label but to see a nearly 4,000 pound
label but to see a nearly 4,000 pound specimen of fluorite will it will
specimen of fluorite will it will
specimen of fluorite will it will generate those kinds of reactions and
generate those kinds of reactions and
generate those kinds of reactions and those are the reactions that we love in
those are the reactions that we love in
those are the reactions that we love in museums so stepping back and looking at
museums so stepping back and looking at
museums so stepping back and looking at museums in general in America museums in
museums in general in America museums in
museums in general in America museums in America welcome more than 850 million
America welcome more than 850 million
America welcome more than 850 million visitors every year
visitors every year
visitors every year 850 million that’s 70 million per month
850 million that’s 70 million per month
850 million that’s 70 million per month that’s more than 2 million per day and
that’s more than 2 million per day and
that’s more than 2 million per day and so why is that important well museums
so why is that important well museums
so why is that important well museums have a tremendous potential and
have a tremendous potential and
have a tremendous potential and therefore a very important
therefore a very important
therefore a very important responsibility to be the communicators
responsibility to be the communicators
responsibility to be the communicators of the world in which we live
of the world in which we live
of the world in which we live the explainers of the world in which we
the explainers of the world in which we
the explainers of the world in which we live the average American there was a
live the average American there was a
live the average American there was a study out number a number of years ago
study out number a number of years ago
study out number a number of years ago that noted that the average American
that noted that the average American
that noted that the average American spends about 5% of his or her life in
spends about 5% of his or her life in
spends about 5% of his or her life in the classroom only 5% and we think of
the classroom only 5% and we think of
the classroom only 5% and we think of the classroom is the place where we took
the classroom is the place where we took
the classroom is the place where we took science class and we learned all the
science class and we learned all the
science class and we learned all the science we’ll ever need well who’s going
science we’ll ever need well who’s going
science we’ll ever need well who’s going to take care of that other 95% museums
to take care of that other 95% museums
to take care of that other 95% museums and need to take care of that 95% we’re
and need to take care of that 95% we’re
and need to take care of that 95% we’re facing issues of biodiversity loss we’re
facing issues of biodiversity loss we’re
facing issues of biodiversity loss we’re facing issues with energy we’re facing
facing issues with energy we’re facing
facing issues with energy we’re facing issues with climate change museums can
issues with climate change museums can
issues with climate change museums can and should with their collections which
and should with their collections which
and should with their collections which help us understand these issues fill
help us understand these issues fill
help us understand these issues fill those needs so there’s three things that
those needs so there’s three things that
those needs so there’s three things that I think museums need to do number one
I think museums need to do number one
I think museums need to do number one provide perspective the earth is
provide perspective the earth is
provide perspective the earth is four-and-a-half billion years old
four-and-a-half billion years old
four-and-a-half billion years old we’re on it for 70 or 80 years that’s
we’re on it for 70 or 80 years that’s
we’re on it for 70 or 80 years that’s that’s kind of it’s it’s it’s just
that’s kind of it’s it’s it’s just
that’s kind of it’s it’s it’s just astonishing to think of the larger
astonishing to think of the larger
astonishing to think of the larger picture that each of us individually is
picture that each of us individually is
picture that each of us individually is a part of number to foster appreciation
a part of number to foster appreciation
a part of number to foster appreciation of that history and of that planet and
of that history and of that planet and
of that history and of that planet and of the planet today so provide
of the planet today so provide
of the planet today so provide prospective foster appreciation and then
prospective foster appreciation and then
prospective foster appreciation and then thirdly inspire curiosity which
thirdly inspire curiosity which
thirdly inspire curiosity which potentially is the most important
potentially is the most important
potentially is the most important museums are rooted going back to the
museums are rooted going back to the
museums are rooted going back to the Renaissance and these what were then
Renaissance and these what were then
Renaissance and these what were then private collections of art and natural
private collections of art and natural
private collections of art and natural objects and that is natural history what
objects and that is natural history what
objects and that is natural history what is natural history is a very common
is natural history is a very common
is natural history is a very common question that at least I get and Natural
question that at least I get and Natural
question that at least I get and Natural History to me is everything it is the
History to me is everything it is the
History to me is everything it is the earth it is the life on Earth it is the
earth it is the life on Earth it is the
earth it is the life on Earth it is the history of that life on Earth and we as
history of that life on Earth and we as
history of that life on Earth and we as a species are a part of that history and
a species are a part of that history and
a species are a part of that history and the products of the human species
the products of the human species
the products of the human species including artwork is within that sphere
including artwork is within that sphere
including artwork is within that sphere so everything including art is as part
so everything including art is as part
so everything including art is as part of Natural History so these early
of Natural History so these early
of Natural History so these early collections these private collections
collections these private collections
collections these private collections were known as curiosity cabinets they
were known as curiosity cabinets they
were known as curiosity cabinets they inspired curiosity they were collected
inspired curiosity they were collected
inspired curiosity they were collected because these were curious things and I
because these were curious things and I
because these were curious things and I think that the greatest thing a museum
think that the greatest thing a museum
think that the greatest thing a museum can do is to ultimately for everybody
can do is to ultimately for everybody
can do is to ultimately for everybody who walks through the doors inspire
who walks through the doors inspire
who walks through the doors inspire curiosity to learn more about their
curiosity to learn more about their
curiosity to learn more about their world thank you
world thank you
world thank you you
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