Explore the 65-year OMSI x NSF partnership
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) are partnering to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the NSF. In our 65 year relationship , OMSI has received support from NSF on nearly 50 projects that are community driven and bring rigorously researched science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to millions of learners.
History of the NSF
The NSF was established as a federal agency when President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 81-507, the “National Science Foundation Act of 1950.” Since then, NSF has supported groundbreaking research at universities and partnered with industry leaders, acting as a catalyst for economic growth and national well-being for over seven decades. While NSF has grown and evolved since its beginnings, its mission has remained the same: “To promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense; and for other purposes.”
Partnership with OMSI
Since 1959, OMSI has been awarded 48 NSF grants aimed at bringing high-quality science education to audiences across the country. In fact, the NSF has funded some of OMSI’s most-loved attractions. It funded the construction of the first shake house at OMSI—fondly remembered for its soundtrack of “I Feel The Earth Move Under My Feet” by Carole King. It also funded OMSI’s chemistry lab, which was the first wet chemistry lab in a museum in the country at its time of construction.
Through 65 years of partnership with OMSI, the NSF has provided the support to innovate new kinds of learning experiences and continually raise the bar within the field of science education. From an interactive exhibit on economics, to the development of interactive modules introducing young learners to algebra, to the creation of a network of museums educating the public about the complex field of nanoscience, the NSF challenged OMSI staff to make rigorous science accessible to all communities and bring cutting-edge science, math, and technology to learners.
Some NSF-Funded OMSI Projects
Under the Arctic: Digging Into Permafrost
The exhibit “Under the Arctic: Digging Into Permafrost” explores the impact of thawing permafrost on Arctic communities and our global climate. It was co-created with the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and an Alaska Native advisory group. The traveling exhibition builds on a half-century of climate-related education at the nation’s only permafrost research tunnel. Since its creation, the exhibit has toured 12 different venues and reached 1.25 million cultural center visitors across the United States.
Designing Our Tomorrow
OMSI partnered with local community organization Adelante Mujeres, the Biomimicry Institute, and the Fleet Science Center in San Diego, CA, to create a traveling exhibition called “Wild Creativity” where families can exercise engineering learning together at design challenges that promote sustainable design and biomimicry practices. The project is co-developed with culturally responsive strategies to ensure the inclusion and influence of Latino communities. The traveling exhibit is in the first year of its national tour and has been booked at 6 cultural centers!
Experiencing Chemistry
OMSI created a drop-in wet chemistry lab for museum visitors and school groups along with take-home follow-up activities, service learning opportunities for high school volunteers, and a teacher resource guide. When it was created in 1994, OMSI’s lab was the first wet chemistry lab in a museum and remains one of OMSI’s most-loved experiences.
Animal Secrets
hWith funding from the NSF, OMSI developed the “Animal Secrets” exhibition to provide families with an opportunity to discover nature from an animal’s point of view as they explored immersive, naturalistic environments including a meadow, stream, woodland, cave, and naturalists’ tent. The project’s goals were to offer young children rich opportunities to develop science process skills, raise awareness to families of their role in their children’s learning, and encourage families to explore the natural world together.
Moneyville
This math-based exhibit, “Moneyville,” was a colorful and inviting traveling exhibition designed to teach visitors about making economic choices with the power of mathematics. The exhibit sought to promote mathematics learning grounded in real-life contexts, encourage economic literacy for all ages, and teach math skills reflective of state standards for grades K-8.
Roots of Wisdom
“Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science.” is an exhibition that shares how diverse Native American and Hawaiian cultures are improving the world using their traditional knowledge in conjunction with cutting-edge science and technology. Through the voices of elders and youth, storytelling, hands-on interactives, multimedia and graphics, learners ages 9-14 and their visitor groups take part in the growing movement towards sustainability and reclamation of traditional practices.
Anniversary Celebration on May 10
On May 10, OMSI will host a community celebration to mark the NSF’s anniversary and the long history of collaboration between the two organizations. From 10 am-5 pm, visitors to OMSI can participate in climate-related activities related to past and ongoing NSF funded projects including:
- Engaging in climate conversations through hands-on prototypes of our newest NSF exhibit, Voces de esperanza
- Attending “Behind the Wonder: How OMSI Exhibits Come to Life,” a panel featuring community partners that have co-developed multiple NSF exhibits with OMSI
- Learn about local scientists’ projects through “Meet a Scientist,” sponsored by the NSF Public Programs team
- Participate in environmental experiments in the chemistry lab that was funded by a 1994 NSF grant
