University of Wisconsin Stevens Point (Olson Museum of Natural History)

The Museum of Natural History at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will improve accessibility to its exhibits with new displays highlighting its rock, mineral, and fossil collections. The museum will purchase new exhibit cases, digital display equipment, and a hands-on activity cart for installation in its newly renovated space in the Science building. Staff will hire two paid interns for the two-year duration of the project. The project will result in greater access to a wider range of visitors, including audiences who have been underrepresented in previous museum design and programming. It will also provide student interns with hands-on experience working with collections and creating interpretive media. The museum’s collections are used in over 20 classes and by more than 1,350 students each year and more engaging and accessible displays will benefit faculty, researchers, students, and museum visitors.