Science Museum of Minnesota

Hooray for #GiveToTheMaxDay ?? A gift to the Science Museum does more than fund exhibits — it fuels curiosity, education, and research that will shape the future. From hands-on learning for students across the state to critical environmental research, your support makes it all possible! https://bit.ly/4fYLIKl

Meet Community Curator, Cyndy Milda! Growing up in the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Cyndy was deeply influenced by her grandparents’ artistry and passion for community. Her curation is on display now and features dentalium jewelry, a belt born out of a generational love for wrestling, and the first piece she ever quilled! https://bit.ly/4hoq83v

KSTP’s Minnesota Live stopped by to explore our “Weighing The Evidence” exhibition alongside our William D. Wells Chair of Science, Laurie Fink! In 2002, Bob McCoy generously donated a collection of questionable medical devices to the Science Museum of Minnesota from his Museum of Quackery in Minneapolis. Thanks to funding from the National Institutes of Health’s Science Education Program Award (SEPA), we were able to transform this collection in 2016 into the "Weighing the Evidence" exhibition with one clear goal: empowering visitors to make better-informed healthcare decisions. Watch the full segment here: https://bit.ly/4fmhDEQ

Researchers from the University of Minnesota are working to find the best way to battle an invasive plant spreading across our forests — buckthorn. Over 30 years ago, 77% of Minnesotans voted in favor of using a portion of Minnesota State Lottery proceeds to fund environmental activities and research across the state. Minnesotans can directly support crucial conservation projects like this by reaffirming the constitutional amendment today on their ballots! https://cbsn.ws/3YEn2zK

The Collections Storage area or "The Vault" was buzzing with activity today. These paleontologists took advantage of being in the Twin Cities to visit the Science Museum of Minnesota's fossils. They are in town for the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Conference. Three cheers to SMM Paleo staff who have been working hard to make the collections accessible to visiting researchers. #museumcollections #paleo #behindthescenes

Voting isn’t rocket science – but it can help us turn on the science! ?? Casting a ballot is one of the most important things you can do to make your voice heard. With the upcoming election, this begs the question – what role does science play in our democracy? Check out what our museum leaders think about the importance of science in our elections: https://bit.ly/3Uv6iKi

Meet Community Curator, Cyndy Milda! Growing up in the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Cyndy was deeply influenced by her grandparents’ artistry and passion for community. Her curation is on display now and features dentalium jewelry, a belt born out of a generational love for wrestling, and the first piece she ever quilled! https://bit.ly/4hoq83v

It’s been a beautiful week on the North Shore of Lake Superior! Scientists from the St. Croix Watershed Research Station spent the week sampling locations along Lake Superior and the rivers and streams that feed into it. As part of their ongoing monitoring efforts, they’re looking for a nuisance species of diatom called Didymosphenia geminata, often referred to as “rock snot.” Didymo has regularly been found in Lake Superior, but it has only recently appeared in our beloved North Shore streams. It has the potential to drastically change their ecology — and to deeply impact the economy of the region that depends on them. Thanks to funding from the Minnesota Environmental & Natural Resources Trust Fund and Minnesota Sea Grant, our scientists visited 47 different sites along the shore during this week’s intensive “Didymo Blitz.” They’ll be returning to the Station with hundreds of samples to analyze to help us better understand the current condition of our North Shore streams, why this Didymo proliferation is happening, and what it means for the region that so many of us love.

Look for special appearances by Science Museum of Minnesota researchers and citizen scientists at the Great Minnesota Get-Together, with speakers and activities August 22, 30, and 31! You can even submit questions for our scientists here: https://bit.ly/4drxEbC

”This topic isn’t just for the history books. You can purchase many fake cures today. It is important to weigh the costs, risks, and benefits of any medical choice you make. If something seems like it is too good to be true, it probably is too good to be true.” Laurie Kleinbaum Fink, PhD, our William D. Wells Chair of Science and Senior Director of the Center for Research and Collections, joined Bob Kronemyer of MD+DI to chat about our collection of debunked medical devices, what we can learn from them, and preview the session she will lead at MD&M Minneapolis this October. Read more https://bit.ly/4dmekfR