Turn a train into a travelling museum? Put a museum in a box? Chew on seal skin? Engaging young people in science in these ways was unimaginable until a 24-year-old science educator Patricia McDonald started working at the Australian Museum in 1953.
Pat McDonald, a former education officer at the Australian Museum, made an enormous contribution to the education of future scientists. She has also left $7 million to the Australian Museum that will fund a new Pat McDonald education centre.Growing up between the Depression and World War II, the McDonalds came from a generation where thrift was a virtue, clothes were handmade and paper bags were folded for reuse.
Getting specimens from scientists to show children was difficult. “Their precious specimens? Goodness me –So there was that sort of difficulty. Once they got used to me, I suppose – got used to this wretched woman who kept asking for things – things got a bit easier,” she said. In 1978, then NSW premier Neville Wran launched the Australian Museum exhibition train which would tour country NSW. Pictured inspecting the train are Pat McDonald, Mr Wran and Liza Juska, also of the Australian Museum.“It was that sort of idea behind it that you’re involving the children. It’s not just a display you put on the wall, it is something that involves the kids and gives them a better understanding.
Brilliant!
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