32 | EXPLORE WINTER 2023 Ultimately, the data that Drs. Finestone and Sawchuk are generating from two different periods of our human past in Kenya are complementary—and relevant today to people all around the world. “Our goal in talking about our fieldwork is to illustrate how so many diverse lines of evidence come together in interesting and informative ways,” Dr. Finestone says. “And along with our Museum collaborators, who are working on other aspects of evolutionary and planetary processes, we are truly assembling a fascinating story about the natural world and our place in it.” BRINGING SCIENCE TO THE COMMUNITY In partnership with their colleagues, Drs. Finestone and Sawchuk are not only making connections between the ancient past and modern life, but also between the Museum and the community. Efforts to better integrate the Museum’s research activities with its public exhibits and programming are a hallmark of the transformation project. Since its opening in late 2020, the Museum’s Current Science area has provided a unique opportunity to witness these efforts in action. Previously a rotating exhibit space and now hosted in Fawick Gallery, Current Science features a portable lab station that allows Museum staff and other guests to share new discoveries, test educational methods, and interact with Museum visitors. The space has served as an incubator for identifying what resonates best with the public. In fact, the Museum found that approximately 80% of visitors ask questions of the experts who present in the space. Staff are using the findings gathered during each rotating exhibition to refine the Museum experience that visitors will enjoy after the transformation project is complete. Presenting scientific information in a way that resonates is an important part of making science accessible to a wider audience. Museum researchers and educators are passionate about the potential of the new Museum to bridge the gap between professional scientists and the general public. “We are bringing science out of the traditional silos and into the community where it belongs,” says Dr. Sawchuk. “Through our transformation, we’re really embodying that community- scientist mentality. We’re democratizing science so that visitors can understand and connect with the natural world in whatever way works best for them.” To achieve this goal, Museum staff are actively working to meet curious audiences where they are, whether in person or online; whether they are formally educated or casual learners; and regardless of age, race, gender, or any other characteristic. At the heart of their work is an idea the Museum is committed to promoting: Science is of and for everyone. Empowering all members of the public to feel comfortable asking questions and engaging meaningfully with science is not just an ambition of the new Museum. It’s a pursuit with far-reaching implications. “The Museum is here to inspire the next generation of scientists and everyone interested in learning about natural history,” says Dr. Finestone. “We can do that more effectively when we involve people in the scientific process; it makes science more accessible and transparent. Now more than ever, we need people to understand science and the value of research in addressing challenges humanity faces—today and in the future.” Dr. Emma Finestone
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