houston museum of natural science

houston museum of natural science

Exploring the Impact and Significance of the Houston Museum of Natural Science

1. Introduction to the Houston Museum of Natural Science

In the section below, we elaborate on the associated research literature and provide an introduction to our research on HMNS visitors. The research reported here has several objectives. First, it seeks to describe the personal attributes and sociocultural background of museum visitors and their companions. Second, it seeks to understand why people come to HMNS. Finally, it is interested in how and why the museum visit is significant. To satisfy these objectives, the paper begins with a joint consideration of the key literature on HMNS and the museum visit experience. Following this, we detail the methods used to identify visitor meanings. The exploration of the HMNS visitor begins with a section on visitor groups and their general ideals, followed by a section on why people make museum visits. We then examine the museum space to reveal aspects of actual visitor behavior of which group members are aware. After compiling the visitor meanings observed and according to individuals’ and groups’ social characteristics, we conclude with a consideration of the implications of our research.

Museums are more important than ever, and, by virtue of their power in the leisure-time economy, attract tens of millions of visitors each year. Museum professionals interested in understanding what these institutions mean to the people who visit them have a growing choice of locations for field studies of visitor behavior and views. Because these settings are so diverse, ranging from the world’s grandest, most popular museums to modest local history institutions, we also have a variety of the physical and spatial characteristics of the space to examine. This is helpful, given the centrality of the actual museum space to our understanding of the museum visit. Our article contributes to this literature on the Museum Visit Thesis by expanding the body of case examples, examining what museum visits mean to people who experience the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS).

2. Historical Evolution and Founding Principles

There were four objectives given for the museum. First, the museum would encourage the people of Texas to provide specimens of the state’s natural resources that would be exhibited so that viewer and student would be impressed and take a greater interest in the sciences. Second, these collections would be used to further knowledge of the plant and animal life found in Texas. Today, though the focus of the research programs may have shifted somewhat to emphasize the “global ecosystem,” the basic goals that the founders set for HMNS for the first area of research remain as strong as ever. Several HMNS research associates conduct research on the natural resources that cover Texas, and staff members maintain Hogg Bird Sanctuary, Russ Pitman Park, The Houston Arboretum, and the George Observatory. The third objective the founders provided was the study of medical and sustainability effects on the Texas plant and animal life by means of scientific principles. Finally, it was hoped that the study of these sciences at a museum would encourage the youth of Texas to seek careers in the sciences that would contribute artistically or economically to the social and ecological well-being of the state. Since few institutions existed at that time, especially in the southern United States, that had the goal of developing major research programs in these four areas, HMNS has had some significant achievements, both locally and abroad, in collaborating with other industries or institutions in meeting the original objectives over the years.

First and foremost, the founders’ decision to tie the group of sciences to a museum that would emphasize research was a crucial one. Although located in Texas, a state at that time sparsely settled and stricken by poverty, the founders had a vision of using accumulated knowledge in these sciences to solve the state’s problems. The original founders believed that a well-organized museum could contribute to progress not only in Texas or North America, but also throughout the world. The museum would be a center of research and learning, using its objectives as both a museum and a laboratory in one of the essential areas of human knowledge to achieve this higher purpose.

3. Key Exhibits and Collections

The museum has a number of temporary exhibitions on for a short period of time, however many of the exhibits have been in the museum for many years and play a crucial role in the design and space of the museum. Examples of this include the dramatic paleontological specimens in the Morian Overlook that provide a vista for visitors, the grand trees that are in the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and spectacular mineral and gem specimens that provide a sense of excitement for visitors entering the museum. The placement of exhibit materials is purposeful, with rich geology next to the mineral hall, a collection of paleontological specimens in the Morian Hall of Paleontology to provide chronology perception and other relationships. Such context would be lost for visitors if the collections were presented on their own. All the aspects play a significant role in the museum and service to the public as a place of learning as well as providing a space where visitors can reflect and engage.

One of the most significant aspects of the Houston Museum of Natural Science is the materials and items in its collection. Not only are the exhibits and materials unique to this museum important, but the unique collection is something that visitors would not be able to see without coming to this museum. It is estimated that only a very small percentage of our collection is on public display, not only because we are obviously limited by space, but also because it is not best practice for institutions to have everything on display all the time. This unique aspect is specifically only for this museum, and therefore this aspect specifically sets this museum aside from others.

4. Educational Programs and Community Outreach

The museum has taken dynamic necessary steps in order to limit attendance to a level that permits homeschool students, scout groups, and student groups the opportunity to tour special exhibitions and visit the newly refurbished popular exhibit halls. The urban environment provides an amazing laboratory for the museum, a unique platform from which to implement “in the field” science curriculum. At Museum Eastern stage, students in grades five and up can participate in firsthand investigations that focus on forest and wetland ecology, soil science, and dynamic weather. Hands-on, active adventures can be taken in the inner city today. The learning activities range from “woodland wildlife” and hands-on collections, a very interesting course for children 7-12 years of age that focuses on significant natural science theme changes monthly including plant and animal adaptations, animal families, common freshwater animals, observing fossils, insects, and a space theme for the month of summer science camp.

If students can’t go to the museum, the museum can go to the students. Since education is at the heart of our mission, the museum avails itself to a remarkable distance learning program, state-of-the-art Discovery Dome technology, an “outreach rock & minerals” rental program, and a unique “science on wheels” experience that over the years has benefited tens of thousands of eager, motivated students and their teachers. In fact, the incredible level of creative and imaginative service – rendered by qualified volunteers and museum staff – is an essential element of the museum’s criteria for school recognition. Group activities and tours have become especially popular with young children and with visitors of middle school age and above. Whether studying earth sciences or ecology, the curriculum is designed by the Houston Museum of Natural Science school learning group to conform to Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills with the intent of making the learning experience a fun, happy time that results in lasting memories and mental enormous growth.

5. Future Directions and Potential Innovations

The museum could create a nature enthusiast social network and exhibit. There is much supportive existing web support. The museum intends to leverage this support, build from the source code using open-source software to host the photography community. Finally, they should learn from and cooperate with existing photo-sharing social network communities. They demonstrate effective ways for creating photography exhibits, conducting round-ups, and collaboration. Can these exhibits use these social networks effectively? Will they contribute to and maintain the museum exhibit? The Houston Museum of Natural Science anticipates much successful social networking ahead.

There are many possible paths forward for the Houston Museum of Natural Science with its photography exhibit and new social network. These directions could take the museum in new and innovative directions. First, the museum could take advantage of existing online social networks by leveraging the existing photography communities, which includes many amateur and professional photographers who appreciate nature and the environment. Second, the photography exhibit could be expanded to include student photographs, diverse and nontraditional camera equipment. These innovations can enhance the student, amateur and professional photographers’ education, museum exhibits, and enrichment activities.