DEAI Progress at the Bell
Back to Bell Museum Diversity and Inclusion
At the Bell Museum, diversity, equity, access, and inclusion are essential to our mission. Below are some examples of how we bring these commitments to life through our strategic priorities.
Deepen Our Community Commitment
- Convening a cohort of BIPOC naturalists
- As hosts of a Big Rivers, Big Woods Master Naturalist course, we convened a cohort of BIPOC naturalists for the first time. By opening registration early to those who identified as BIPOC, we were able to recruit a diverse class of naturalists, who gained valuable nature education experience. BIPOC Master Naturalists who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to attend the course developed connections with BIPOC Bell staff, learned how to identify species, and now carry the tools to further natural history education in their own communities
- As hosts of a Big Rivers, Big Woods Master Naturalist course, we convened a cohort of BIPOC naturalists for the first time. By opening registration early to those who identified as BIPOC, we were able to recruit a diverse class of naturalists, who gained valuable nature education experience. BIPOC Master Naturalists who may not otherwise have had the opportunity to attend the course developed connections with BIPOC Bell staff, learned how to identify species, and now carry the tools to further natural history education in their own communities
- Thoughtfully partnering with organizations to highlight and uplift various cultural perspectives at community events
- Centering and supporting Native American perspectives and knowledge in the Bell’s K-12 programming
- Launched Indigenous field trip program, On Native Land
- Incorporated Indigenous land history in virtual K-12 programming
- Featured planetarium show Ojibwe Moons during Statewide Star Party in 2024
- This show featured the Ojibwe 13 Moon Calendar which is represented by Miskwaadesi, the painted turtle. Visitors learned how the 13 Moon Calendar represents the change in seasons, along with the 28 phases of the moon cycle.
- Launched Living in Balance: Anishinaabe Star Knowledge traveling planetarium show
- Intentionally reaching out to a variety of partners for programming by expanding perspectives at author programs
- The Weight of the World: An evening with climate writer Mary Annaïse Heglar
- Natural History, the Curious Institution: An Evening with Evolutionary Biologist and Poet Brandon Kilbourne
- Kolshorn Lecture: Diversity (Evolution) and Connection (Ecology) in Science, and Beyond with Evolutionary Biologist Dr. JC Buckner
- Science & Nature Activity Kits
- Growing Science & Nature Kits to focus on underserved communities in the metro area and statewide