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The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, OMSI, strives to inspire curiosity and stimulate informed action.  The museum was the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest and is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.  The museum sees over 1.2 million visitors each year.

OMSI was initially located in a residential home on Hassalo street donated by Ralph Lloyd.  A planetarium was later constructed in the front yard.  The museum was subsequently replaced by a brick building in Washington Park that was erected in one day by volunteers in the community.  That building now houses the Portland Children’s Museum.  The current OMSI location on Portland’s waterfront was originally a PGE power plant.

Mr. Centerwall, the museum’s VP of Development, proudly noted that OMSI is 100% privately funded, with two-thirds of its funding coming from earned income in the form of membership and admission fees.  The museum focuses on educating the public with a focus on youth.  “Space is a great equalizer,” remarked Mr. Centerwall.  “Every child has looked up at the stars and wondered about where we came from.”  Research studies show that it is important to engage youth in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) before they enter 5th grade.  To this end, OMSI works with more than 2,000 school groups, has two off-site campuses, and supports outreach programs in seven states.   Every year the museum offers more than $300,000 in financial aid in the form of reduced admission and membership prices for people in the community.

OMSI has an on-site workshop where all displays are built.  It also collaborates with businesses to illustrate the “Industry” portion of its operations.  According to Mr. Centerwall, “children need to know that STEM subjects lead to exciting careers.”  Currently, the museum is hosting “The Science behind Pixar” to illustrate how animated movies are made.

Love Centerwall has degrees in archeology and business from universities in Sweden and Denmark.  Previously, he served as the VP of Corporate Relations at United Way of the Columbia-Willamette.