From September 22 to 26, 2024, OHESDC accompanied the delegation of the National Science Museum Organization (NSM) of Thailand, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Rawin Rawiwong, Excutive Director of NSM, and Dr. Chaninthorn Wannawichit, Deputy Director of NSM. The delegation visited various museums in Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; and Richmond, Virginia, to exchange knowledge and explore opportunities for collaboration between the National Science Museum of Thailand and leading U.S. institutions.
In Chicago, the delegation visited the Field Museum, one of the largest and most renowned natural history museums in the world, housing over 40 million artifacts and biological specimens. The museum is also a hub for research on its collections and ecosystem conservation efforts both in the U.S. and globally. The delegation toured the museum’s general exhibition spaces as well as behind-the-scenes areas, including the Scientific Laboratories, which focus on DNA research, specimen analysis, and artifact restoration. They also visited the Conservation and Digitization Labs to discuss digital data collection processes. Meetings were held with Mr. Julian Siggers, President and CEO, and Mr. Jaap Hoogstraten, Director of Exhibitions, to exchange insights on exhibition strategies and explore possible collaborations between the two museums.
At the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, one of the largest interactive applied science museums in the world, the delegation was hosted by Dr. Patricia Ward, Associate Vice President for Content and Partnerships and Head of Science. The tour included a comprehensive overview of the museum’s history, operations, and key exhibitions, such as Science Storms, the Transportation Gallery featuring a Boeing 727, the U-505 Submarine, and the Henry Crown Space Center.
The delegation also visited the Chicago Children's Museum, located at Navy Pier on Lake Michigan, which offers a range of STEAM-based interactive exhibits. Highlights of their visit included Kids Town, a simulated small city where children can play different community roles; Dinosaur Expedition, a paleontology-themed excavation room; and the Tinkering Lab, where children can create inventions from their imagination.
In Washington, D.C., the delegation visited the National Children’s Museum, a hybrid science learning center and children’s museum focused on interactive exhibitions and hands-on learning. Exhibits include Art + Tech, in collaboration with Nickelodeon; Data Science Alley, which teaches children how data is collected and analyzed; and the Tinkerers Studio, where workshops are held. The delegation met with Ms. Meredith Hamme, VP of External Affairs, to discuss a potential collaboration between the NSM and the National Children’s Museum to feature Thai traditional science toys as part of the museum’s Traveling Exhibition project. This would help introduce American and Asian children to Thai culture through science.
The delegation's final stop was the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. Known for its accessibility to both children and adults, the museum offers interactive experiences in a variety of scientific fields. The delegation toured exhibits like MathAlive, which integrates mathematics with music, sports, films, and games, and is produced in collaboration with NASA and other scientific organizations. They also visited LightPlace, an exhibition designed for children aged five and under to encourage exploration and problem-solving through play. The delegation met with Mr. Richard Conti, Chief Wonder Officer, and Dr. Rose Basom, David and Jane Cohn Scientist, to discuss principles of museum management, exhibition curation, and potential future collaborations between the NSM and the Science Museum of Virginia.
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