Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

🎉#Throwback to the fun at last year’s Bud Billiken Parade! We’re so excited to join in the 95th annual celebration today. Keep an eye out for Griffin MSI, and don’t forget to swing by our table at the “It Takes a Village” Back-to-School Festival in Washington Park. Here’s to 95 years of legacy, community and culture!

🎉 Congratulations to our President and CEO, Dr. Chevy Humphrey, for making the Forbes 50 Over 50 list! 🌟 Chevy's visionary leadership and dedication to innovation have truly made a lasting impact. Join us in celebrating this incredible achievement! 🔗: https://lnkd.in/gdzdUB2y

🚀 Here's to the latest in space exploration! The newly renovated Henry Crown Space Center is one of several new, innovative additions. 🔗Learn more: msichicago.org/hcsc 

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 

Mari Copeny, clean water activist and face of the clean water movement in Flint, MI, visited the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago in February as part of the MeetHer program to talk about her efforts to improve the drinking water in numerous U.S. cities, including Chicago. Her talk was the first MeetHer event of 2024 at MSI. MeetHer is part of the Girls in STEM program at the museum, which focuses on connecting school age girls with female role models in technical careers. The Girls in STEM program was made possible by funding from our founder, Ann Drake.  To read more: https://lnkd.in/gXcMqkFu

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.