Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s Post

The Science Leadership Initiative at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is excited to announce that applications are open for the 2024-25 cohort of our School Partners Program! 🏫 The Science Leadership School Partners Program provides a structured, 3-year self-governed process for whole-school change around science education. For more information about this 3-year partnership with MSI, check out our Information Packet and watch the Information Session recording, linked below.  🔗 Information Packet: https://lnkd.in/gzfwxy8X 🔗 Information Session Recording: https://lnkd.in/gFdnEaCc The 2024-2025 School Partners Program Application is open! Apply today! Application will close May 31, 2024.  🔗 Application: https://lnkd.in/gqertWtw If you have questions, please email science.leadership@msichicago.org. 

🎉 Introducing the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry!  For almost a century, our museum has stood as a beacon of scientific discovery and industrial innovation, igniting the spark of creativity in all who pass through our doors. Now, we're thrilled to embark on a new chapter in our history. In 2019, we announced the groundbreaking $125M naming gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, a momentous contribution that ensures our legacy and enables us to expand our reach in unprecedented ways. This historic donation paves the way for us to secure our future, to develop exhibits tailored to the next generation of scientists and leaders, and to enhance science education in our local communities. After meticulous planning and thoughtful consideration, we are proud to unveil our official new identity: the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. 🎨 Our New (ish) Look:  ✨ Designed with the essence of our heritage, our new logo retains the iconic cube but with a contemporary twist—softer edges that symbolize our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility for all. 🗓️ Save the Date: May 19  Join us as we embrace our new identity on May 19, our inaugural day as Griffin MSI! To mark this milestone, we're opening our doors with free admission for all. Secure your tickets now at msichicago.org/tickets and be a part of this historic celebration. 🚀 Exciting Exhibits Await!  Thanks to the transformative gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, we're proud to introduce an array of new experiences for our visitors: Renovated Henry Crown Space Center: Witness the awe-inspiring SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft and explore the mysteries of the cosmos. Griffin Studios: Immerse yourself in our premier exhibition, "Notes to Neurons," where science and art converge in captivating ways.  For more details, visit our Griffin MSI landing page at msichicago.org/rebrand. Note: Guests who have previously purchased tickets will be refunded, and their tickets will remain valid. Additional tickets will be available for walk-up guests on May 19 on a first-come, first-served basis. Join us as we embark on this exciting journey of discovery and innovation at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. See you on May 19! 

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! MSI is proud to offer teachers the opportunity to access high-quality professional development programs at no cost! Applications for Summer 2024 enrollment are now open for our AIR Course and the Science Leadership School Partners Program - Apply by May 31st! The Institute for Quality Science Teaching (IQST) AIR Course focuses explicitly on the teaching practices that support Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) instruction.  🔗Learn more bit.ly/3QyutFI. MSI's Science Leadership School Partners Program provides a mechanism for whole-school change in science teaching and learning. This innovative program is grounded in current research in science education and designed to support Chicago area K-8 schools.   🔗Learn more at bit.ly/3c9zVrl  📩 Stay connected and supported with our "Educator eNews" for resources, including information about our upcoming Teacher Professional Development event on Friday, June 7. 🔗 Sign up at msichicago.org/subscribe #TeacherAppreciationWeek 

We are thrilled to announce another wonderful addition to MSI’s leadership team! 🌟 Dina Torrisi Martin will join the MSI team as Vice President, General Counsel starting April 8! In this leadership position, Dina will serve as the primary internal legal counsel for the Museum. She joins MSI from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation where she has served as General Counsel since 2021. Previously, she spent 27 years as a trial attorney. Join us in extending a warm welcome to Dina! We're thrilled to have her on board and look forward to achieving great things. 🚀 Read more about Dina's appointment here: https://lnkd.in/gWv64Bp4 #MuseumLeadership #MSIStaffSpotlight #GeneralCounsel

Meet Charé Gillam! In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting some of the amazing women within the Museum of Science and Industry that embody our core values and make MSI a special place. Charé joined MSI 2.5 years ago starting as a Senior Coordinator and then quickly moved to the role she has now as the Manager of Experiences, Operations & Business. Before planting roots in Chicago, Charé lived in several states around the country working in informal education. During her travels, she learned how each state has their own culture and ways of approaching anything from food to education. This created a desire to continue her work and join the Museum team to support learners of all ages. When she joined MSI, she helped her team with the reopening of one of MSI’s most beloved exhibits, the Coal Mine, where she prepared the facilitation team with the knowledge they needed to ensure our guests are empowered to participate in science.     Charé’s infectious guest first attitude in the way she approaches her work is what makes the Museum a special place. She embodies our mission by encouraging a love of science to those she interacts with. Charé takes inspiration from her team, as they motivate her to learn and grow as a leader. She admires their “yes and” approach to coming up with exciting ideas and opportunities to spark a passion for science and learning. Outside of her work at MSI, she continues her love of science at home, as she is an avid houseplant enthusiast with close to 100 plants in her personal collection.   Thank you, Charé, for truly inspiring the inventive genius in us all.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting some of the amazing women within the Museum of Science and Industry that embody our core values and make MSI a special place.   Meet LaQuita Ford!   LaQuita has been with MSI for 27 years now, originally working the weekends as well as special events. Now as the Senior Director of Guest Operations, LaQuita leads her team to provide unforgettable experiences for our guests, such as in-depth tours of the U505. She is also proud to facilitate opportunities such as scholarship programs that provide teachers and school groups with the chance to visit MSI. With a Master’s in Community Counseling from Chicago State University, LaQuita takes her love of people and helping others and puts it fully into her work and leadership style. Working at MSI inspired her to pursue a degree in psychology as her time here sparked a passion for making a difference in people’s lives. She embodies one of our core strategic pillars, meaningful relationships, and builds those relationships within the Museum as well as outside of our institution. LaQuita sees first-hand the effect that MSI provides to the community, which is what drives her to keep the Museum accessible to guests inside and outside of Chicago. Within her time at MSI, LaQuita has been a part of some amazing historical events such as the opening of the Entry Hall and the creation of the U505’s exhibition space. She has also worked the Black Creativity Gala every year since she started with MSI and has been able to watch the event grow and evolve each year. Those moments of wow are what motives her to continue the work that she does and helps her think of new ways to keep creating those special memories that really stand out to guests.    The busiest times of year have created some of her favorite moments at MSI and you will often find her out on the floor supporting her team and guests during these times. LaQuita has a people first attitude and finds happiness with bringing joy to those around her. She is inspired by the other leaders within the Museum to continue to make it an amazing place.    Thank you, LaQuita, for truly inspiring the inventive genius in us all.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting some of the amazing women within the Museum of Science and Industry that embody our core values and make MSI a special place. Meet Shauna Lindsey! Shauna is quickly approaching her 10 year anniversary with MSI. With a master’s in accounting from UIC and her CPA license, Shauna has worked her way through multiple positions within MSI’s Finance department to where she is today as the department’s Controller. After working in television in Florida, Shauna moved to Chicago with a dream of working for one of the major cultural institutions here. Shauna’s work in on our accounting team goes towards benefitting the entire institution and she takes one of our strategic pillars, sustainable strength, and applies it to her day-to-day motivation. Having a creative background, she applies the communication and collaboration skills from her previous experience to work with each department and truly is a team player. Shauna embodies that we are one team here at MSI, so you will see her volunteering on the floor to help our guests during our busiest seasons, getting to know our newest exhibits, and making sure she has a deep understanding of MSI’s education and other programs we have to offer. What keeps her motivated and passionate is seeing the impact the Museum has on the community, it drives her to keep making it a great place not only for guests, but her fellow employees. Thank you, Shauna, for truly inspiring the inventive genius in us all.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting some of the amazing women within the Museum of Science and Industry that embody our core values and make MSI a special place. Meet Angela Williams!   Angela has been with MSI for over 30 years now. She is an alum of the School of the Art Institute where she studied graphic design. After graduation, she worked as a freelance designer for various corporate and non-profit spaces. A mentor pointed her in the direction of museum design, which sparked her amazing journey at MSI, first as a graphic designer and now as the Director of Design.   Aspects of art and design are found all over the Museum in places you might not expect, and Angela leads her team to come up with more innovative ideas to make the Museum a better place for all who enter the doors. With her enthusiasm for collaboration across the Museum and her experience, she marries function with beauty and creates memorable and unique exhibitions that become favorites to those who visit. If you have been into the Numbers in Nature exhibit or the Black Creativity Architecture exhibit, then you have had the pleasure of seeing Angela’s amazing designs in action.   Outside of the Museum, Angela proudly serves as a member of the Evanston Arts Council and she works as a fine artist who takes inspiration from Matisse, African art, and other abstract works. She is able to take these sources of inspiration and not only apply it to her personal body of work, but also around spaces across the Museum.   Angela is passionate about diversity initiatives within MSI and takes her enthusiasm and drive out into her community by being a mentor to young artists. Angela shows the students she works with the importance of seeing diverse artists and leaders. What Angela loves most about her work is getting to be part of the story of MSI and getting to leave her mark around the Museum—from temporary exhibitions to ones that last a lifetime.   Thank you, Angela, for truly inspiring the inventive genius in us all.