A staple in Minnesota’s science innovation and education has hit a major milestone. The Bakken Museum in Minneapolis is celebrating 50 years of bringing electricity and scientific education to life.
The museum has become a hub for scientific research, exhibition and archiving, including a rare book and instrument collection, as well as exhibits about electricity, architecture and more.
“I think there’s just a profound love of learning and exploring and discovery at this organization,” the museum’s vice president of programs Anika Taylor said. “I absolutely adore opportunities to work with visitors who are here exploring something and to see them make a connection or make a discovery, or have a moment of sort of lighting up.”
Earl Bakken, famous for co-founding Medtronic and creating the first external wearable battery-powered pacemaker, founded the museum in 1975 in hopes of becoming a research center focused on “Electricity in Life.” It now also includes exhibits about plants, medicine and even Mary Shelley and her book “Frankenstein,” a special inspiration of Bakken’s.
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As a child, Bakken spent his time building and taking apart different electronic devices. When he saw the movie version of “Frankenstein,” he knew he wanted to pursue a career in electrical engineering, which he studied at the University of Minnesota.
Taylor says the Mary Shelley exhibit is truly a favorite.
“I just love it, because there are so many fun stories and ideas that connect to this exhibit, the story of who Mary Shelley was and what led her to write that story, the notion that this is sort of our first example of science fiction, and that science fiction has, in turn, also inspired science and inspires the public to consider the science that we do in different ways because we can explore it in fictional realms.”
The Bakken Museum. pictured on Sept. 18, 2020, is located on the West shore of Bde Maka Ska in Minneapolis. Found by Earl Bakken in 1975, it is features interactive exhibits for all ages and STEM education programs.
Courtesy of the Bakken Museum
Interim Vice President of Advancement Stu Silberman says what makes the Bakken special is how it “invests in the future of the state of Minnesota while leveraging its wonderfully historic past.” A past that started before the museum became a nonprofit and was established at its current location on Bde Maka Ska in 1975. Before that, Bakken had been collecting artifacts and literature at his company’s headquarters.
The Bakken is a popular field trip destination with hands-on opportunities like the shock circle that plays with static electricity that sticks students’ hair on its ends or the Bakkenspiel, an interactive musical workshop. Heather Walch, a board member, loves seeing students light up.
“My absolute favorite part is the kids that are visiting the Bakken when they learn something new, and they don’t really realize they’re learning anything because it’s fun and it’s just filled with giggles,” Walch said.
Through its STEM education program, the Bakken Museum has begun taking educational programs on the road to sites and schools across the state where educators spend a week with students.
Taylor hopes the museum continues to change its “hidden gem” persona.
“Whether it’s coming to visit our museum or whether it’s bringing us out to whatever corner of the state folks are in, we’d love to get as many people involved in celebrating this 50th year,” she said.
The museum will be hosting events throughout the year to mark its milestone birthday, including a party in October and family discovery day events throughout the year, as well as their “Bakkenalia” 21+ events.
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