MEDIA CONTACT:
Sally Anne Giedrys
Communications Manager
sgiedrys@ecotarium.org
(508) 929-2738
(WORCESTER, Mass.)&emdash; EcoTarium, a center for environmental exploration, announces that Alexander Goldowsky has joined the museum as Director of Museum Programs and Exhibits. Goldowsky, an environmental educator and museum professional who comes to Worcester from the New England Aquarium in Boston, will provide programmatic leadership for the EcoTarium's evolving role as New England's only museum dedicated solely to the study of the natural environment.
Goldowsky's experience, energy, and research make him the ideal candidate for leading the EcoTarium's effort to create unique opportunities for adults and children to explore and learn more about their natural environment. "The 'natural world' isn't something we drive somewhere to see," he says. "It is in our own backyards, in urban neighborhoods and suburban ones, as well as in the more rural areas."
One thing that sets the EcoTarium apart as an environmental museum, Goldowsky says, is the wealth of diverse resources at its disposal&emdash; a unique facility, wildlife, extensive natural history collections, interactive exhibits, living exhibits around the grounds, a planetarium, and the collected expertise of the staff. "Many museums are far more specialized," he says. "All the pieces are here to make strong connections between what's outside and what's inside."
Goldowsky will lead the museum in creating more links between wildlife that the museum cares for and the exhibits inside the museum building, as well as expanding the number and depth of interpretive exhibits on the extensive grounds.
"Alexander brings a wealth of experience in museum education and exhibit development with an environmental focus," says EcoTarium Executive Director Laura H. Myers. "We are thrilled to have him join our leadership team."
For the past 14 years, Goldowsky has worked in exhibit research and development, and development of school outreach efforts and training programs for teachers at the Aquarium. Most recently, he served as senior program developer, working on such notable projects as The Mercury Story, a portable exhibit designed for the Massachusetts
Office of Water Quality; Nyanja, a 5,000-square-foot exhibition funded by the National Science Foundation; George's Bank, a traveling exhibition now at the Sea Coast Science Center in New Hampshire, and TOPEX/POSEIDON, a NASA-funded exhibition created in collaboration with MIT and the Gulf of Maine Aquarium.
In his new position, Goldowsky will oversee the development, implementation and evaluation of permanent and temporary museum exhibits and wildlife habitats, educational programs for school groups, interpretive programs for museum visitors, special public programs and events, and grant-funded youth programs. He will supervise EcoTarium's program and exhibit staff.
Goldowsky has also consulted with the Boston Museum of Science, the Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge, the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, the Maryland Historical Trust, and the Tennesee Aquarium. He holds a doctorate degree in education from Harvard University, a master's in education from Lesley College, and a bachelor's degree in environmental science from Lesley College and the National Audubon Society Expedition Institute.
Goldowsky is excited about providing programmatic leadership as the museum continues to evolve in its role as New England's premier center for environmental education. "Museums are an important and unique part of a community's educational infrastructure," he says. "People who go to museums describe them as places to make discoveries, to experience a sense of wonder, and to learn something new. Institutions such as the EcoTarium have the potential to have a huge effect on how people think about the natural world."
EcoTarium, a center for environmental exploration, offers three floors of interactive exhibits, wildlife habitats, nature trails, ponds, an award-winning meadow, a planetarium, and a narrow-gauge railroad. The center, located at 222 Harrington Way in Worcester, Mass., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 5 p.m. Open selected Monday holidays. For information, call (508) 929-2700 or email info@ecotarium.org.
For additional information, or to schedule an interview with Alexander Goldowsky, please call Sally Anne Giedrys at (508) 929-2738 or e-mail sgiedrys@ecotarium.org.