This space was created by the Museum Education Roundtable to expand upon the most recent Journal of Museum Education (JME) issue, reflect on member events, and address timely issues that we face in the field of museum work. Read about how to write for our blog here.
Knowledge in Action ™
Holiday Wish List
Looking for a holiday gift idea? Or maybe an escape? Have no fear: here are a few suggestions from the MER Board for the museum lover, activist, and curious folks in your circle… or a little escape from the season if that is what you need! Here are books that have inspired us, nourished us, and helped us smile … Read More
Notes from the Field: Murder Mystery Games Bring Art to Life
Since 2012, the Dallas Museum of Art has hosted an annual Museum Murder Mystery Game, and over the years it has become one of our most popular events. If you are looking for a different way to engage your audiences, a murder mystery could be in your future! The first year, we invented a story with six characters, similar to … Read More
MER Talks: This Blog Post Might be Banned
In June 2019, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum celebrated Pride Month for the first time. In the small northeastern Wisconsin town of Manitowoc, we flew a rainbow flag outside of the Museum. We added a rainbow filter to our Facebook banner image. We also celebrated with a program: Pride and Patriotism. This panel discussion featured three LGBTQ+ veterans who shared their … Read More
4×4: Self-Care and Equity Work
Our “4 x 4” interview blog format aims to incorporate multiple perspectives on current topics in our field by inviting four thought leaders to answer four questions related to a chosen theme. This playful approach seeks to navigate pressing topics with the personal touch of a conversation. Our first theme features four approaches to “self-care.” Previous posts in the 4 … Read More
Notes from the Field: Reflections on MER’s 2019 Forum
Just over a month ago, MER Board of Directors met in St. Louis for our annual retreat and forum for local museum educators. Each year, when choosing the theme, we take stock of current trends in the field and how they intersect with local conversations/issues. On August 6, 2019, the MER Forum hosted educators for a panel/workshop called Museums as … Read More
Notes from the Field: A Museum Educator at an Archaeology Conference
This April, I was thrilled to present at the Society for American Archaeology’s (SAA) annual conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Though I was an archaeologist in another life, it had been nearly a decade since I attended an archaeological conference and I had never presented at one. I’ve been to dozens of museum conferences and thought: “How different could it … Read More
4 x 4: Self-Care and Networking
Our “4 x 4” interview blog format aims to incorporate multiple perspectives on current topics in our field by inviting four thought leaders to answer four questions related to a chosen theme. This playful approach seeks to navigate pressing topics with the personal touch of a conversation. Our first theme features four approaches to “self-care.” Previous posts in the 4 x … Read More
JME in Action: How can museums become a home for newcomers?
Immigration is at the core of my personal and professional life. The journey that started when I left Uruguay as a young adult and moved first to Argentina and later in life to the USA is the lens through which I see the world and my place in it. After my last move to New York and with a family … Read More