Museum of Science and Industry

MORE THAN 1,500 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY’S MONTH AT THE MUSEUM CONTEST

Pool has been narrowed to small group of semi-finalists

CHICAGO, IL (Thursday, August 26, 2010) — After receiving more than 1,500 applications—coming from all over the world—Museum of Science and Industry staff has been entertained, enlightened, inspired and yes, exhausted, by the entries to the Month at the Museum contest.

In all, a selection of Museum staff judges spent hundreds of hours working to narrow the list down to under 20 semi-finalists, and on Thursday, Aug. 26, the Museum is notifying entrants who have advanced to the next round of the competition, which will consist of phone interviews.  Those who do not advance will also be notified and thanked via email by the end of the day, as well as given the opportunity to redeem a free pass for four to the Museum.

“We were truly blown away by the imagination and enthusiasm of our applicants,” said Rob Gallas, vice president of marketing for the Museum of Science and Industry. “This contest is really a first for the museum world, and we didn’t know what to expect. To get this level of participation, creativity and passion is amazing and humbling. We saw entries from all 50 states as well as Africa, Australia, Europe and even Antarctica—and we really tried to give them all the attention they deserved.”

Over the next few weeks, the Museum will share some application videos with the world to show just how inventive and innovative the competition was for one spot at the Museum. MSI will post some select videos to our YouTube channel, announce the posts through Facebook and Twitter, and hand out a few special awards along the way. 

But in the end, the selection process came down to much more than the videos, said Gallas. “The videos were a great visual—and we saw some amazing ingenuity and production—but we focused on the candidate’s entire application package, which also included an essay about why they wanted to enter the competition.”

MSI encourages all to stay tuned to help select the winner with an online vote of three finalists in late September. In the meantime, check out monthatthemuseum.org to see a special video the Museum put together that provides a peek at the breadth of our amazing applicants.

About Month at the Museum

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) launched its unique Month at the Museum search in July 2010—and the result will be the ultimate, interactive “living exhibit.” MSI will pick one curious, adventuresome individual to live at the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere 24/7 for 30 days this fall—from Oct. 18 through Nov. 20, 2010.  He or she will have total behind-the-scenes access to MSI, share his or her experience with the world online, and take home $10,000 and a once-in-a lifetime experience! For more information, visit monthatthemuseum.org.

• Month at the Museum Semi-Finalists Press Release (PDF)
  Month at the Museum Annoucement Press Release (PDF)
  Month at the Museum Announcement Media Alert (PDF)

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Month at the Museum "Cube" View 1

Up-close view of the winner's room, filled with fun science toys. [J.B. Spector, Museum of Science and Industry]

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Month at the Museum "Cube" View 2

"Chic science geek" bedroom, designed and furnished by CB2. [J.B. Spector, Museum of Science and Industry]

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Month at the Museum "Cube" View 3

The 16-by-16-foot "cube" is front and center for guests to see. [J.B. Spector, Museum of Science and Industry]

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Month at the Museum "Cube" View 4

Glass "cube" on the Museum's Main Floor where the Month at the Museum winner will reside. [J.B. Spector, Museum of Science and Industry]

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Images presented here are for the express use for promoting the Museum of Science and Industry. All images must be properly credited. Images may not be reproduced by third parties without express written permission from the Museum of Science and Industry.